Editor,

Congratulations to Don Jaque and staff on a long and illustrious life of serving community and progressive thought in Canada’s North through the high standards set in the Slave River Journal and later the Northern Journal.

Though saddened by the news that Northern Journal will be discontinued, I know I am joined by non-government organizations like Alternatives North and many other groups and individuals seeking to improve northern lives and the northern environment in expressing best wishes and gratitude for the thorough and competent reporting you have brought to issues of great portent to northerners. Our families, our communities, our cultures, our land and the respectful caring and attention to all of these entities are first and foremost in our lives, and your coverage consistently recognized and contributed to those priorities.

Over the years your enterprise has brought north, hired and trained many new journalists who continue to serve our communications across the North today, and will undoubtedly do so into the future. A northern publishing tradition of record, this service has helped young reporters to gain important experience through northern news services, and then seen them go on to contribute teritorially and nationally in other roles. It is a phenomenon that reflects the skills and insights of our publishers and editors like those of the Northern Journal, whose work we are privileged to enjoy in our territorial news services.

Finally, I cannot fail to mention the editorials, typically thoughtful, critical, challenging and informative, and again reflective of the issues so important to our population, and often focusing on key issues of social, economic and environmental justice for all.

To publishers and staff, I expect we will be hearing from you in new and unique ways.  Thanks again for your years of work providing us with the news.

Bob Bromley
Yellowknife

Editor,

Congratulations and thanks, Don and Sandra Jaque, for 40 years of ink-stained sweat and devotion to journalism North of 60. I wish your legacy could have been passed on.

Our world will be a little smaller, a little grayer, with the shuttering of the Northern Journal. It’s a sad day when any town or city loses a newspaper… there’s one less voice to shout the news, champion the cause, filter the gossip and promote the local commerce.

I have been a modest photo contributor to the Journal for a couple of years. I’ll miss the ‘chase’ and getting my stuff in by deadline, and seeing my work in print. Thanks for giving me the chance to do this, and good luck.

Bill Braden
Yellowknife