Blogs from Northwest Territories, Canada, North America - page 2

I’d like to do something a little different for this Blog posting. I have just finished reading the autobiography, Judge of the Far North: The Memoirs of Jack Sissonsfor my essay assignment and would like to recommend it to all my readers, suggest it as mandatory reading for all Windsor Law Students chosen to participate in the Northwest Territories Clerkship, and tell you a bit about it in the form of a book review. First of all, to be quite honest, I did not have to read the entire book to gain the relevant insights required for my essay. However, I just couldn’t put it down! The way the late Judge describes the landscape, culture, and beauty of the Northern people was just too fascinating for me to just skim over! Further, he has an extremely ... read more

My inspiration for this blog entry came from a very interesting article I read on my flight into Inuvik. Inuvik sits right on the Arctic Circle and I will be doing a circuit with the Territorial Court here this week. The article is entitled, “My Conversation with Ezra” and it discusses some of the problems local aboriginal groups have when it comes to protecting their hunting rights with regard to environmentalist pressure. It is by Terry Audla. Some of the more interesting quotations from the article include: “ ‘Fight them with facts!’” That is exactly what Inuit have endeavored to do in our legal attempts to overturn a law banning the export of seal products to the European Union. And when it comes to firing back at jet-setting activists who fly into remote communities, destroying industries ... read more

(The title of this post is a quotation made by the Justice overseeing a jury trial in one of the local First Nations communities while on-route) I thought it was about time I updated you all about my comings and goings during the past week! This posting will take on a more serious tone as I have had an opportunity to witness court proceedings and travel to one of the local First Nations Communities. Before I start, for the sake of privacy and confidentiality, I will not be using any person or place names in this blog without permission. I don’t want people to draw unfair conclusions based simply on my observations and opinions. Last week I sat in the Territorial Court during Criminal procedures. The one thing that I noticed immediately is that every accused ... read more

Sup homies! I made it! Woot woot woot! I have got some pretty sweet digs here living with the lovely Nadia. The room is quite cottagy and I was lucky to pick up some groceries on my way into town so I'm all set. I am still figuring out my camera so I have no new pictures to post- but tomorrow I am going to wander. I got a driving tour through Old Town today and it is sweet yo. Like super gorgeous with amazing unique real estate and a big ol' rock cliff that overlooks Slave Lake and the city. Simply amazing. Other things I found out that are awesome include: -They sell fresh fish in front of the KFC every three days. (I also think this is hilarious.) -There is an aboriginal school on ... read more

Two more sleeps and snippity snap we're on our way!... read more