Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Fort Good Hope

Isolated and expensive, the N.W.T.'s Sahtu riding feels squeeze of climate change

Isolated and expensive, the N.W.T.'s Sahtu riding feels squeeze of climate change

While the southern N.W.T. was battered by wildfires this summer, the territory's remote Sahtu region faced its own climate challenge: a historically-low Mackenzie River. For the first time in living memory, low water caused by extremely dry conditions prevented most of the season's supply barges — hauling everything from drywall to gummy bears — from navigating the Mackenzie. The river is a lifeline for the five communities that make up the N.W.T.'s Sahtu riding: Deline, Fort Good Hope, Tulita, Colville Lake, and Norman Wells, the regional hub of roughly 800 people. And the high cost of living is the number one issue heading into the Nov. 14 territorial election. 

Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., leaders optimistic Imperial Oil visit marks turning point in relationship

Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., leaders optimistic Imperial Oil visit marks turning point in relationship

Imperial Oil said it's going to start the process of renewing licences with the Sahtu Land and Water Board and the Canada Energy Regulator to operate in the Sahtu. The new permits would allow them to keep extracting oil in Norman Wells for another decade.  An Imperial Oil representative declined to do an interview at the open house, saying staff were not trained to speak to the media. 

16 days later, Imperial Oil still investigating if Norman Wells spill entered Mackenzie River

16 days later, Imperial Oil still investigating if Norman Wells spill entered Mackenzie River

Imperial Oil is still investigating whether produced water that spilled at the Norman Wells, N.W.T. operation in late July has entered the Mackenzie River. A spokesperson for Imperial Oil said in an email that the company is monitoring the water quality and there are no indications there is a risk to public health. This comes after people downriver in Fort Good Hope reported surface contaminants on the water.

High snowpack, water levels put several N.W.T. communities once again at risk of spring flooding

High snowpack, water levels put several N.W.T. communities once again at risk of spring flooding

Excessive snowpack and high water levels have communities across the N.W.T. at risk of flooding once again this spring. This includes Hay River, Kátł'odeeche First Nation, Nahanni Butte, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Aklavik, Fort Good Hope, Tulita and Jean Marie River First Nation. The N.W.T. government released a technical report on Monday which said there is potential for spring breakup flooding once again this spring.

After catastrophic 2021 flood, N.W.T. communities prepare for spring breakup

After catastrophic 2021 flood, N.W.T. communities prepare for spring breakup

The Dehcho (Mackenzie River) is already moving near Fort Providence, and in the communities of Fort Simpson and Fort Good Hope where the river is still frozen, community members are not waiting for disaster to strike — many have lifted their homes and have begun to move valuables to high ground. Floods in May last year were "the scale of something that just had never been anticipated," said Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly.

State of emergency declared in Fort Good Hope as flood waters rise

State of emergency declared in Fort Good Hope as flood waters rise

A state of emergency has been declared in Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., where flood waters neared the 17-metre mark Tuesday evening, according to Arthur Tobac, the community's public information officer. Tobac, who also sits on the community's council, said the declaration was made around 10:10 a.m. There are about 14 homes in the lowest-lying part of the community, which emergency management officials refer to as "zone one." Most residents in the area had already left when the siren sounded at 4:30 a.m. Roger Plouffe, the local emergency management officer, said two remaining people vacated their homes overnight. As of Tuesday evening, Tobac said people living in "zone two" also started to leave.

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