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…
In the wake of historic flooding in the NWT, communities are coming together to show their support to residents in Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River. Morris Neyelle, a 69-year-old Elder, artist, and drum maker from Délı̨nę decided to donate his hand-crafted drum on Facebook to help those affected. Neyelle…
As water levels in Fort Simpson finally receded, residents began assessing the damage left by the flooding. Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly says seven people have told him their homes are uninhabitable, but no municipal buildings are damaged. Power is being restored to the island area-by-area and water is expected…
Residents of several communities in South Slave region are being advised to boil drinking water for at least one minute. This includes Hay River, Enterprise, Kakisa and K’atl’odeeche First Nation. The boil water advisory was announced in a press release by the Northwest Territories chief public health officer on Sunday…
After eight days of uncertainty, the water levels in Fort Simpson appear to be receding. Łı́ı́dlı̨́ı̨́ Kų́ę́ First Nation Chief Gerald Antoine says he is heading into town to investigate the damage. “We need to look at how we can rebuild our community,” he says. The flooding fluctuated throughout 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…
Many Fort Simpson residents who live on the hill have been doing all they can to take care of their neighbours from the island. This includes sheltering those displaced, as well as volunteering with the emergency team that set up shop at the public works building. Here, they efficiently distribute…
Disclaimer: This story talks about family violence, addiction and sexual assault. Intergenerational trauma is a serious reality for many northerners. With on the land healing camps, Indigenous peoples have a healthy way to share their experiences. Ever since the Dehcho First Nations hosted a 30-day healing program called Nezųh Aoht’é…