Breaking Ice

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Bill Braden is a photographer, storyteller and writer. He is a longtime resident of Yellowknife and has built his career there since his youth. Bill and I have worked together briefly and have enjoyed sharing ideas, techniques and talking about photography together. Join us for a discussion about his current projects, his origin story and how technology has impacted his craft over his lifetime.

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On June 15th 2024 a fire was noticed outside of the community of Fort Good Hope. Over the course of the day it grew to the point where a community evacuation was necessary. This effort was multifaceted, residents were moved by air and water, some headed out to their camps but many were flown to the neighbouring communities. I had the pleasure to sit down with two evacuees and hear about their experience over the last couple days. As I process this episode and publish it here in Norman Wells we are working to keep people fed and rested while crews fight the fire outside Fort Good Hope by air and ground. 

Thank you to George & Mary for their words, and willingess to sit down and talk so shortly after they were evacuated.

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This week we were able to sit down with Paulie Chinna, our former MLA who just recently finished up her first term in office. We get into her experience of being an MLA, what that was like for her through the numerous challenges she faced over her 4 years in office. What life has looked like since the most recent election and now where she has set her sights. 

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Danny Gaudet is the Ɂekw’ahtı̨dǝ́ (Chief) of Délı̨nę. He has lived in the Sahtú for his whole life and was instrumental in negotiating the self government agreement between Délı̨nę and the Federal Government. We had the opportunity to hear about his background, understand what motivates him and how he views leadership. We talk about what we enjoys doing in his free time which is deeply rooted is history and his culture. Its worth a listen.

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This week we sit down with Robbie Craig. Robbie is a prolific artist and painter based out of Yellowknife NWT. His art depicts the North and does so in such an incredible style that really captures it's spirit and essence. Through the medium of acrylic painting, he uses bold colours and lines to portray his vision. On this episode we talk about his origin story as an artist, how he came to trust that he could peruse art full time. How he diversifies his career, art heists and so much more.

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Frank Pope is the mayor of Norman Wells, In this episode we cover his journey through history, arriving in Canada and how his life / career progressed. When and how he got to know the Sahtu, and his optimism for the future of the region. 

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Mathieu Gallant is the Owner of Black Jack Fishing. He spends his summers on Great Slave Lake with clients, catching some of the biggest fish they have ever seen. Today, we learn more about Mathieu's past, what brought him to the North & how fishing was so critical for his transition to civilian life after his service in the Canadian Military. 

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Charles McNeely is the Chairperson for The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated. We talk about his experience growing up in the Sahtu, living off the land, and how his life changed to now working as the Chair of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated. We talk about the impact the Mackenzie Valley Highway could have on the region and how it would help bolster the Sahtu in ways other than economically. We further discuss the effects that spending time on the land can have on addictions and the struggle to overcome them.

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This week I had the opportunity to sit down with a friend of mine Tyson Doonan. He is a Aircraft Maintenance Engineer who just finished up his work with North-Wright after spending two years doing rotational work. He is passionate about his work, travel and photography and is now moving to the island of Antigua to embark on the next chapter of his career as a helicopter mechanic. On this episode of Breaking Ice Tyson gives us insight into the world of aircraft maintenance and how team work & mentorship are absolutely essential to the trade.