Environment

Community, Environment, Featured, News August 3, 2023

‘It feels good to be home’: Rae residents can now return to their community

The community had been evacuated for 11 days due to wildfire


After 11 days away from home, residents of Rae were finally allowed to return home this morning. The Tłı̨chǫ Government announced on Wednesday evening that residents could return home just after 10 a.m. this morning, but power will not be restored until 2 a.m. this afternoon. The community was first…

Community, Environment, Featured, News July 13, 2023

KFN still hasn’t applied for disaster relief funding

KFN has not applied for federal funding that would cover 100 per cent of eligible costs


Update (July 18, 5:45): This story has been updated to reflect new information from Indigenous Services Canada. Two months after fire devastated K’atl’odeeche First Nation (KFN), the community’s administration still has not applied for federal disaster relief funding, and no funding is coming from the GNWT. Disaster relief funding is…

Environment, Featured, Health July 5, 2023

Suspected Anthrax Outbreak in Slave River Lowlands Bison Population

Out of the 15 suspected cases, no confirmed cases were reported


A suspected anthrax outbreak is underway in the Slave River Lowlands bison population, according to the Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC). Fifteen bison carcasses were discovered between Fort Smith and Fort Resolution over the last weekend. Although test results are still pending, ECC is treating the situation as…

Community, Environment, Featured, News July 4, 2023

Residents of Sambaa K’e, Wekweètì returning home, but fire risk remains

Wekweètì was evacuated last week, while residents of Sambaa K'e were stranded away from home for more than a month


Residents of two N.W.T. communities threatened by wildfire are finally returning home. Sambaa K’e residents were given the green light to return home over the weekend. And residents of Wekweètì have two options for flights to bring them home from Yellowknife this week: The first Air Tindi flight leaves this…

Community, Environment, Featured, News June 30, 2023

Wekweètì residents evacuated due to wildfires

Two planes carried away dozens of residents as three fires threaten the community.


Residents of Wekweeti have been evacuated as a trio of wildfires threatens the community. The evacuation took place yesterday afternoon, when two planes arrived in the community to take fleeing residents to Yellowknife. About 47 people were on board the two planes, including many Elders and other vulnerable residents, according…

Community, Environment, Featured, News, Weather June 16, 2023

These researchers were helping the N.W.T.’s small communities. Then the fires came

'[I'm] concerned and worried about a place and people that I've really grown to care about,' says one PhD candidate


For Carla Johnston, Sambaa K’e has a special place in her heart. Johnston, a PhD candidate with the Balsillie School of International Affairs, has been working with communities in the territory since 2019. Her work focuses on integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices in the design of local and global food…

Community, Environment, Featured, News, Weather June 7, 2023

Residents return to KFN, while wildfire approaches Sambaa K’e

"My heart goes out to everyone that lost their homes," says KFN Chief April Martel


After weeks of fear and uncertainty, residents of Kátł’odeeche First Nation (KFN) are starting to return home. In a message posted to social media on June 6, KFN said residents could once again start returning to the community. Power, water and sewer services have not yet been restored. Returning residents…