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…
Breakup on Little Buffalo River outside of Fort Resolution has caused flooding near homes there. Resident Cecile Lafferty took photos of the flooding Thursday and confirmed that by late Thursday night, water levels were receding. The senior administrative officer of Fort Resolution, Todd Francis, confirmed in an email that roughly…
Sarah Jerome has been appointed as the NWT’s representative to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC). Jerome is a Gwich’in Elder, residential school survivor, has been a long-time educator, and was previously the Languages Commissioner of the NWT. This is Jerome’s second time being appointed to the…
It’s a cold grey morning in “tent city”, Wally Antoine is making rounds ensuring about 100 displaced Fort Simpson residents have everything they need. “Getting coffee, refuelling the generator, checking the oil and just seeing how people are doing”: an average day for him at the camp. “People keep bringing…
The territorial government is upgrading its network this weekend, which may affect residents trying to call 9-1-1. The upgrade will happen between Saturday at 10:30 p.m. and should be done by Sunday at 7 a.m. “During this period there will be two short periods lasting a few minutes each when…
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) is less than thrilled with the response it received from the federal government regarding the petition for an apology and compensation for the negative effects of Giant Mine. In a Monday press release, the First Nation highlighted shortcomings in the response, which came from Minister…
Michael McLeod, the NWT’s Member of Parliament, has some encouraging words for residents who’ve been affected by recent flooding. “The federal government is monitoring the situation very closely,” McLeod said. “People can count on us, we’ll be there to help. We’ll be there to help right to the end, it’s…