Emily Blake

In 2023, I finished my one-year fellowship with the Canadian Press and returned to work at Cabin Radio, an independent media outlet in Yellowknife.

Throughout the year City of Yellowknife workers went on strike, the Auditor General of Canada called for immediate action to protect children and youth in Nunavut, the historic land-use plan for the territory was submitted, the Łútsël K’é Dene First Nation accused the head of its economic development arm of self-dealing, and the NWT had a territorial election where a new premier was elected. The biggest story of the year was wildfires that displaced nearly 70 per cent of the Northwest Territories’ population, myself included.

In chronological order, here are the top 10 stories I worked on in 2023.

Baffinland critical of report that says shipping to blame for narwhal displacement

A report predicts there will be almost no narwhal left in an area off the northeastern coast of Baffin Island due to shipping traffic from the nearby Mary River iron-ore mine.

Father to be and ‘snow angel’: Edmonton officers shot and killed on duty remembered

Family and friends remember two police officers who were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call.

Nunavut Inuit organization revokes enrolment of sisters, says first-of-its-kind case

Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated revoked the enrollment of twin sisters under the Nunavut Agreement alleging fraud.

Missing Canadian women and girls called family from Syrian camp, lawyer says

The lawyer for a group of Canadian women and girls who were due to be repatriated from Syria said they were mistreated and being detained in a camp.

‘Streesed to the seams,’ Łútsël K’é Co-op worries about food supply chain

With Yellowknife under evacuation order, a fly-in only community worried how they would get access to food and essential goods.

The devastation of Enterprise and its path to recovery

A wildfire destroyed most homes in the hamlet of Enterprise. I delved into what happened.

‘Frustrated beyond belief,’ pregnant evacuees face unique challenges

For many NWT wildfire evacuees, the experience wasn’t easy. For pregnant people, there were added challenges.

How much of Nutrition North’s subsidy is being kept by stores?

A study found a federal subsidy intended to reduce the cost of food in the North isn’t fully reaching customers as intended, particularly in communities with just one store.

How a man managed to escape from Fort Smith’s jail

In April 2022, a man escaped from the men’s unit at Fort Smith’s jail. Through an access to information request, I obtained a partially redacted copy of the investigation report.

How will the 19th Legislative Assembly be remembered?

From disasters to disputes and new legislation, the Northwest Territories’ 19th Assembly was unique.