CBC Radio's The House: The North Rising

On thisspecial edition of The House: The North Rising:

A housing crisis in the Northwest Territories

In the Northwest Territories, The House goes to the communities of N'dilo and Dettah, where Yellowknives Dene First Nation members and leaders like Chief Ernest Betsina are grappling with housing shortages. They're looking for ways to get their members out of public housing and into their own homes and finding ways to make federal and territorial funding opportunities fit the specific needs of their First Nation.

CBC News: The House10:57A First Nations housing shortage plan

Co-host Juanita Taylor speaks to NDilo Chief Ernest Betsina of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and CEO Jason Snaggs about efforts to improve their communitys housing shortage.

Autonomy and self-determination in the North

It wasn't that long ago that the territories were internal colonies of the federal government, where an appointed commissioner and bureaucrats in Ottawa called the shots.

The House looks at the journey each territory took toward responsible, representative governments. Join Chris Hall and Juanita Taylor as they explore the path to province-like powers through the stories of the people who were there.

CBC News: The House12:34Growing up a government

Chris Hall and Juanita Taylor explore Ottawas relationship to Canadas three territories and their paths toward province-like powers.

Connecting Nunavut

The House takes you into the spotty world of connectivity in Nunavut, the only region in Canada that relies on satellite connections known to fizzle out at the slightest of weather changes.

With residents plagued by internet and cellular outages, expensive service and little choice when it comes to providers, are federal investments in the North missing the mark? And what does that mean for those stuck inside their homes as COVID-19 ups its presence in the territory? Co-host Chris Hall speaks to former Iqaluit mayor Madeleine Redfern, who also leads two telecommunications companies in that city.

CBC News: The House9:34The Norths digital divide

Former mayor of Iqaluit Madeleine Redfern explains what internet and cellular service is like in Indigenous, remote and rural communities and whether a national strategy keyed to those regions is needed to close Canadas digital divide.

Trump's final push in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and its coastal plain are now at the centre of one of Donald Trump's last acts as U.S. president. Last week, his administration moved to sell oil and gas drilling rights in the area, stoking longstanding concerns from Gwich'in in Canada and the U.S., that development there would harm the Porcupine caribou herd and the Gwich'in way of life.

Ottawa opposes drilling in the refuge, as does U.S. president-elect Joe Biden. But with the possibility of activity in the region before the year is out, can the Canadian government do anything to stop it? And what's at stake for a pristine wildlife reserve caught in Trump's last-ditch effort to advance his agenda?

Dana Tizya-Tramm, Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Yukon,joins The House to share his perspective from the frontlines of the battle.

CBC News: The House11:28Is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at risk?

As outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump takes steps toward oil and gas development in Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, what does that mean for Gwichin in Canada and the United States seeking to protect their vital Porcupine caribou herd? Dana Tizya-Tramm, Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Yukon explains.