Flooding has devastated the NWT for weeks. As spring break up continues, the community of Fort Good Hope is now preparing to evacuate residents in zone two on the south side of town. The community’s emergency plan identifies four zones corresponding to different water levels. Zone one is affected when…
A team of seven NWT archivists has a big job to do, preserving over 20 years of Gwich’in knowledge. Gwich’in heritage is being recognized nationally for its “unique and irreplaceable documents” by the Canada Memory of the World Register, a national registry that honours culturally-significant documents. “It’s a big achievement…
K’alemi Dene School students pitched in to help clean up their community last week. Students from seven classrooms from all grades participated in a friendly competition to pick up as much garbage as possible over the course of three days. “On Tuesday morning each class was assigned an area of…
While the Chief of Whatì, Alfonz Nitsiza, reported a sure sense of excitement over the opening of the Tłı̨chǫ Highway this fall, he also spoke of concerns in the community. “They also are concerned about the impact and the influx of people that might be coming out,” he said. Chief…
The Tuktoyaktuk makerspace will be expanding thanks to funding from the federal government. According to a news release, the expansion will include a 3D printer and sublimation printing equipment to be added alongside vinyl cutting, wood burning and laser engraving. The $83,450 investment will also allow for the space to…
More than a dozen members of Salt River First Nation will be getting the title to their land in the coming weeks. The transfer comes after nearly 20 years of negotiations between SRFN and the federal government. “It feels good,” said Chief David Poitras. “Not only for me, but for…
As Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River continue cleaning up following historic flooding, other communities downriver are keeping a close eye on the Mackenzie. Tulita has been on flood watch since May 7; Fort Good Hope has been making preparations since May 10. According to the territorial government’s Emergency Management…
Residents in the Hamlet of Tulita are being cautious given the up-river flooding in Dehcho communities. Interim senior administrative officer Don Smetlzer said that the hamlet’s Elders meeting has been postponed until May 20th. Tulita’s 24-hour flood watch began on May 7 and, in addition to water levels in Tulita,…
The Tłı̨chǫ Highway is scheduled to open this fall and according to Whatì Chief Alfonz Nitsiza, residents are “practically counting down the days” until opening. “We’ve been talking about this for many years, they’re excited to see that this is actually happening,” he said. Nitsiza expects the opening of the…
The community of TthedzehK’edeli First Nation (Jean Marie River) is awaiting the territorial and federal government to decide its fate as much as it awaits mother nature to make its next move. “The houses towards the airport… have to be totally replaced,” says Chief Stanley Sanguez. The water line on…