Your North: Best reader photos for weeks of Mar. 27, Apr. 3

After a week off, your best reader photos return with a super-sized double edition! The oddities of spring take centre stage, along with some incredible views from Northern Quebec, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

Stops along the way: The disappearing lodges of the Alaska Highway

Yukon photographer Mark Kelly found inspiration in the decrepit ruins of abandoned roadhouses, and the warm hospitality of those still operating. His new book, with writer Lily Gontard, offers a colourful look at a vanishing culture.

'It makes us part of something bigger': Students travel from Cambridge Bay to Vimy Ridge

Students from Cambridge Bay will join thousands of other Canadians at the Vimy Memorial in France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Folk band finally finds late Gwich'in songwriter's family in Alaska, solving copyright conundrum

by Priscilla Hwang

After several months of searching in Alaska, Gwich'in folk band the Hummingbirds finally found information on the late composer of the folk song "Goodbye Shaanyuu."

Yukoners in France to mark Vimy Ridge centennial

'It's going to be very overwhelming, in many respects,' said Yukon Senator Dan Lang, one of three Canadian senators selected to go to Sunday's commemorative event.

Ottawa to now pay for travel companion for Indigenous women giving birth away from reserve

Health Minister Jane Philpott says Ottawa will now pay for someone to travel with Indigenous women who need to leave their communities to give birth — a change to what she called an "extremely unhelpful" policy.

Expedition celebrates Canada 150 by circumnavigating Bylot Island by ski

by Sara Frizzell

Four skiers are starting a month long trip around Bylot Island this week. The Bear Witness expedition is meant to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary by highlighting the island’s history and environmental importance.

Association franco-yukonnaise looks back on 35 years

by Karen McColl

The Association franco-yukonnaise was formed in 1982, to ensure French language and culture could flourish in the territory.

First Nations among those reporting mysterious lights in the sky in 2016: UFO survey

by Tim Fontaine

Seven First Nations reported unidentified flying objects in 2016, according to an annual survey by Winnipeg-based Ufology Research.

Northern Cross sues Yukon gov't for $2.2B over fracking moratorium

The company says the Yukon government rendered its 15 claims in Northern Yukon - with an estimated 8.6 billion barrels of oil, only accessible through hydraulic fracturing - essentially useless.

Judge throws out breathalyzer test in Hay River councillor's drunk driving case

A judge in Yellowknife has ruled police failed to warn Keith Dohey he was giving up his right to a lawyer.

RCMP make arrest in relation to murder of Billy Cholo

RCMP announced Friday that an arrest has been made in the death of Billy Cholo, a Fort Simpson, N.W.T., man whose body was found in January of 2014.

Mining symposium apologizes to guests offended by keynote speaker's view on whale hunting

The organizers of the Nunavut Mining Symposium are apologizing to guests after a keynote speaker offended some people at Wednesday night’s gala in Iqaluit.

Carved mask stolen from Yukon government building

The art piece, called 'Wiseman', was made by the late Alex Dickson. It was on display as part of an exhibition that 'belongs to the people of Yukon.'

Kenojuak Ashevak's art featured on new $10 banknote

The Bank of Canada has unveiled a new $10 banknote to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Cleanup at deserted Nunavut exploration site begins — on local Inuit association's dime

Years after its owner disappeared from public view, cleanup has begun at an abandoned exploration site near Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut — at the cost of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, which owns the land.

'You can find freedom in Canada': Syrian family grateful for Yukon welcome

by Paul Tukker

The Omar family arrived in Whitehorse last week, becoming the third family of Syrian refugees to settle in the city in just over a year.

Communities ill-prepared for oil spill in Arctic Ocean, report says

by Alex Brockman

A new report from World Wildlife Fund Canada says communities on the Arctic coast are ill-prepared to handle a potential spill and urges the federal government to increase funding to those communities before one happens.

Meet the City of Iqaluit byelection candidates

Six candidates are running for two spots in the City of Iqaluit byelection on April 10. The two spots were left vacant after two councillors resigned.

Once a local secret, visitors flock to Haines Junction ice caves

by Karen McColl

A local ice cave near Yukon's Haines Junction is becoming a popular day trip destination, but a local wilderness expert says visitors should be careful as temperatures continue to warm.

Ross River Dena Council turns to court to force gov't back to negotiating table

by Philippe Morin

A Yukon First Nation says the federal government offered only 'pennies per acre' during discussions in 2002. It says it refused the offer, and negotiations have now been stalled for 15 years.

Federal land claims report 'day of victory' for North Slave Métis Alliance, says prez

by Mitch Wiles

The North Slave Métis Alliance is ecstatic over a new federal report regarding the progress of land claims in the Northwest Territories. While the alliance does not have a seat at any of the land claim negotiations, the report suggests its members rights need to be protected.

Dawson City waits and watches for spring breakup

by Cheryl Kawaja

After a winter of precarious ice conditions on the Yukon River at Dawson City, breakup looms. But when?

REPLAY Iqaluit city council candidates face off in informal debate

Six candidates seeking election to two open spots on Iqaluit's city council faced off Thursday night in an open debate, organized and run by themselves. CBC's Sara Frizzell live blogged the debate.

Northwest Territories gov't promises new offers for outstanding land claims

by Mitch Wiles

The Northwest Territories and federal governments have committed to make new offers to Indigenous groups on three outstanding land claims in the territory. The offers are due by the middle of May.

'Caribou Legs' Brad Firth ordered to pay $60K to defamed brother-in-law

'It's just wrong what he did. Totally,' said Raymond Gagnon. A Yukon Supreme Court judgment last month found Firth had defamed Gagnon by spreading lies about Gagnon's role in his sister's death.

'It's on national TV, it's all over Canada': Indigenous designer's dresses hit Junos red carpet

by Alex Brockman

Three northern Indigenous musicians took to the red carpet at the Juno Awards wearing dresses from an Indigenous designer from the North.

Ancient Arctic ice cores damaged in U of A freezer failure

A coveted collection of ancient ice cores recently acquired by the University of Alberta has been partially destroyed in an "unprecedented" double malfunction in a $4-million freezer.

Future of Nunavut's mining sector looks 'golden,' symposium hears

by Sara Frizzell

Fuelled by mining development, Nunavut is heading into the most prosperous period in its history, according to the territorial government’s senior economist Francois Picotte.

Up to $3M up for grabs as Arctic Inspiration Prize money rises again

The prize money for the Arctic Inspiration Prize has risen again, to up to $3 million. The prize has been awarded for the last five years to groups that are working to better the lives of Northerners.

Yukon woman on EI runs up $1M tax bill, declares bankruptcy

'[She] was living a relatively lavish lifestyle, while failing to report her actual income by several orders of magnitude,' Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gower found.

Sharon Nelson elected chief of Yukon's Selkirk First Nation

Sharon Nelson has been elected chief of the Selkirk First Nation in Pelly Crossing, Yukon. Six councillors were also elected in Wednesday's vote.

Iqaluit city council candidates vote 'yes' for informal debate

The six candidates have helped organize an informal, town-hall-style debate happening Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. ahead of Monday's byelection.

N.W.T. ice climbing scene gets leg up from little-known spot

by Jimmy Thomson

Two Yellowknife climbers spent days exploring a canyon near Enterprise better known for its scenic vistas than its climbing potential.

2 Whitehorse teens 'over the moon' to make varsity soccer teams

by Dave Croft

Jamie Joe-Hudson and Skyler Bryant are forerunners of a strong crop of soccer players in the territory, according to the co-manager of a Whitehorse soccer academy.

First Nation 'alarmed' by Yukon coroner's appeal of inquest order

Yukon's chief coroner doesn't want an inquest into Cynthia Blackjack's 2013 death — and is asking the Yukon Court of Appeal to uphold an earlier decision to forgo a coroner's inquest.

Conservative senators defend Lynn Beyak, as media called 'parasites'

by John Paul Tasker, Katie Simpson

Conservative senators are standing by colleague Lynn Beyak a day after she was removed from the Senate's Aboriginal peoples committee for defending residential schools, with one senator branding the media "parasites" for trying to ask Beyak questions.

Utqiagvik, Alaska, set to host next Inuit Circumpolar Conference summit in 2018

Utqiagvik, Alaska, will host the next Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly July 16-19, 2018, bringing together delegates from Greenland, Canada, Alaska and Russia.

Alcohol believed to be a factor in pickup truck crash on Ingraham Trail, RCMP say

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a one car-crash north of Yellowknife that sent the driver to hospital, Yellowknife RCMP say.

Volunteers needed to test for fishy fish labelling in Northern grocery stores

by Jimmy Thomson

An environmental group is recruiting Northern residents to send in samples of store-bought seafood for testing to determine whether it's been accurately labelled.

Where's the police? Yellowknifer questions RCMP response to bleeding man on street

by Alyssa Mosher

Katrina Nokleby feels she had no choice but to stay with an intoxicated man on April 3 after calling RCMP, who she says didn't respond to the incident and told her to call paramedics.

'Mastermind' behind string of Iqaluit robberies facing minimum of 4 years in prison

by Nick Murray

Michael Cooper-Flaherty, the 'mastermind' behind a string of Iqaluit robberies in late 2014 to early 2015, is facing a minimum of four years in prison after pleading guilty.

Lynn Beyak removed from Senate's Aboriginal peoples committee

by John Paul Tasker

Senator Lynn Beyak has been removed from the Senate's Aboriginal peoples committee, interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose told CBC News in an interview Wednesday.

Wanted: Yukon families willing to change a child's life

by Philippe Morin

Yukon is trying to reduce its reliance on group homes to house young children, however, there is a lack of available foster homes.

N.W.T. government turns to courts to stop Nahanni Butte road construction

by Mark Rendell

The government has filed a notice of motion with the N.W.T. Supreme Court seeking an injunction to prevent community members 'trespassing' with heavy equipment on Commissioner’s land.

Whitehorse bylaw officers now sport bulletproof vests

The bylaw department needed approval from the city's safety committee to order the $725 Kevlar vests. Officers got the OK and started using them earlier this year.

Watch for caribou, Alaska Highway drivers warned after bad winter for roadkill

by Nancy Thomson

The Yukon department of environment is asking drivers to slow down and be careful when driving on the stretch of highway between Judas Creek and Jakes Corner. 12 caribou have been hit in the area in recent months.

Iqaluit explores partnering with Qikiqtaaluk Corporation to handle waste management

With space running out at the landfill, officials with the City of Iqaluit say they need to move quickly to put its waste management plan into action.

Discovery recalls Justin Trudeau's 1st visit to High Arctic — as a 3-year-old

by David McKie

Canada's defence minister presented Justin Trudeau with a gift on Tuesday that took the prime minister back to a visit he made 42 years ago with his father to the northern-most point in Canada.

Time to cut land lines at Whitehorse city hall? Hefty phone contract has councillors asking

Council is being asked to approve a new three-year contract with Northwestel worth $756,000 dollars over three years — and that doesn't include long distance charges, or cell phones. Some councillors wonder if it's time to cut land lines.