Lisa Iesse

Growing up in Toronto’s west end, Lisa always dreamed of making her way to the land of the midnight sun. She studied literature and sociology at the University of Toronto and has worked with media outlets in Ontario, the N.W.T., Six Nations and the U.K. Have a tip or something to share? Reach her anytime at 647-619-9807 or liesse@vistaradio.ca

Author Archive

Northern artists take to stage at Glassworks concert event Saturday

Old Town Glassworks is hosting a special evening of live music featuring renowned northern performers Tracy Riley, Vishwaa Ramakrishnan, Glen Whelan, Lee Mandeville and George Mandeville.

Yellowknife Entrepreneur’s charcuterie packs pretty punch for Pow Wow Pitch

Northern Metis Entrepreneur Natassia Hansen is taking charcuterie to a whole new level, her boards and boxes are literally flying off the shelves and could be taking Turtle Island by storm at this year’s Pow Wow Pitch. Taking charcuterie to the airport to fly to other Northern destinations like Nunavut means her business is growing, but Hansen said the heart of Oak & Olive will always at home with Yellowknifers.

“Ode to Yellowknife in Clay”: Guild of Arts and Crafts celebrating 80 years 

The Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts are celebrating their 80 year anniversary with special events highlighting pottery artists and pottery work taking place at this year’s Ramble and Ride. Organizers said the event will include pottery demonstrations,tile glazing activities for the public and an exhibit of art in the ARCC trailer at Ramble and Ride. The event is scheduled to take place Aug. 1 and 2.

Feds say $7 million heading North for energy projects

The federal government is investing $7 million in funding for eight energy projects in the N.W.T., Nunavut and Yukon. The investment is aimed at boosting local electricity systems to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support long-term economic growth. With electricity demand anticipated to double by 2050, reliable access to clean power remains a critical infrastructure gap in the North where power outages happen weekly if not daily.

Dene leaders call for policy acknowledging Indigenous procurement rights

Dene leaders said without a dedicated policy acknowledging the procurement rights of Indigenous people on their traditional lands, there can be no “true economic reconciliation.” On Tuesday, Dene National Chief Mackenzie issued a public statement in response to the GNWT’s decision to cancel an Indigenous procurement policy that was years in the making.

Beyond”bear behaviour”: encounters driven by human impacts

Another bear has reportedly been killed after wandering in the Northlands area of Yellowknife. Last week, a black bear was killed by wildlife officials when deterrence efforts failed after it was spotted wandering through the residential area. Wildlife experts say multiple factors could be leading to bear encounters and much of it goes beyond "bear behaviour." Factors like deforestation from wildfires could be leading bears to seek out food in places further from their natural habitat.

Heavy rains pass after Paulatuk gets seasonal total in 2-day period

Environment Canada says heavy rains have passed for the Paulatuk region, after nearly 70 mm fell in a two-day period beginning Friday. That’s normally what the region would receive in total for the duration of the summer season and more than one third of its total precipitation per year on average.

Northern issues “chief” says National Council for Reconciliation

With Indigenous Northerners being at the front lines of climate change and experiencing gross gaps in health care equity despite composing more than half of the population, leaders with the National Council for Reconciliation say Northern issues are a “chief” focus of their inaugural report. The document is regarded as the first legislated independent assessment of progress in response to the Calls to Action and identification of persistent systemic barriers.

Reservoir Rd closed for fastball championship in Yellowknife

Yellowknife city officials announced that Reservoir Road will be closed beginning Friday. Reservoir Road from Wıìlıìdeh Avenue will be closed to traffic beginning  at 9 a.m. until Monday.

Crews say hot, dry conditions increasing wildfire activity in N.W.T.

Wildland crews continue to battle wildfires concentrated in the Dehcho and Sahtu regions, but fire activity is also increasing in the South Slave and in the North Slave regions. Wildfires near Behchoko and Gameti saw increased growth due to weather conditions. On Wednesday, NWT Fire issued a special bulletin after a wildfire was spotted close to Fort Resolution.

Yellowknife and Hay River Lakeshore Co-Op donate more than $8K to evacuees

Lakeshore Co-Op just announced that they raised a total of $8,884.11 in support for individuals and families affected by the Liidlii Kue / Fort Simpson and Wrigley wildfires. The donations were received from members making donations at the Lakeshore Co-Op on Old Airport Road in Yellowknife and on the Mackenzie Hwy in Hay River.

Tuktoyaktuk and Paulatuk brace for extreme weather

Environment Canada says a storm surge is anticipated to hit Tuktoyaktuk and heavy rains to fall in Paulatuk beginning Friday.

Yellowknife to host historic fastpitch championships this weekend

The Yellowknife Merchants Fastball Club is hosting the inaugural Northwestern Invitational Fastball Championship this weekend at the Tommy Forrest Ball Park in Yellowknife. The tournament will mark the first International Softball Congress (ISC) qualifier held in the N.W.T.

N.W.T. Premier to chair Council of Federation, beginning Aug. 1

Premier R.J. Simpson will assume the Chair of the Council of the Federation on Aug. 1, according to an announcement issued by the federal government. The N.W.T. will host the next summer meeting of Premiers in July 2027.

Returned home, Liidlii Kue faces extreme wildfire smoke

Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson community members are happy to be home three weeks after evacuations were issued. but problems remain for those returning. Poor air quality is a blanket problem in the region due to severe wildfire smoke, with the community trying to secure access to N95 masks, especially for Elders and community members with lung and heart conditions.

Fire ban issued for North Slave region

Wildland officials have issued a fire ban for the North Slave region, which came into effect immediately due to rising fire danger. The ban will be in place for one week and could be extended, said officials in a public notice issued on Wednesday afternoon.
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Latest News

“We take this responsibility very seriously”: Military investigates fatal Wainwright fire

Military investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding a fire that swept through the training area at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Oct. 17, killing four Canadian Armed Forces members and injuring dozens more.

Marine Transportation Services completes resupply season

The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced that Marine Transportation Services has completed their 2026 resupply season. 

Yellowknife police seize cash and drugs following search

Yellowknife RCMP have charged several suspects following the execution of a search warrant that led to the seizure of cash and drugs.

Official results released for YK1 Board of Trustees election

Official results have been released for the 2026 YK1 Board of Trustees election that was held earlier this week.  

Denny Rodgers appointed Minister of Health and Social Services

Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson has announced the appointment of Denny Rodgers as Minister of Health and Social Services, effective immediately.