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 Simpson

At the 'tail end' of 2021 flood recovery, Fort Simpson, N.W.T., looks to the future

At the 'tail end' of 2021 flood recovery, Fort Simpson, N.W.T., looks to the future

On a sunny Tuesday evening in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., Derek and Julia Erasmus cook up a dinner of waffles and sausages as their two young daughters play outside.  Watching them, you wouldn't know just how difficult the past two years have been. They were one of 10 families who lost their house when the community flooded in 2021. "It's kind of just a huge life-changing event," Derek said. "We kind of thought we were going to retire in that house some day … then those plans were all gone after that."

When climate-fuelled disaster pummels your hometown, what comes next?

When climate-fuelled disaster pummels your hometown, what comes next?

Cheryl Cli’s house is so new, it’s still in the packaging. The modular build sits on a muddy lot on safe, high ground about five minutes outside of Fort Simpson, N.W.T. Some of the industrial plastic is ripped away, revealing its cherry red siding. On this April day, the air smells of meat and veggies cooking over an open fire. Cli is having a cookout with friends and family to “claim” the lot. Earlier in the week, she noticed some firewood had been taken. “It’s OK, they probably needed it,” she says.

Tension high as water rises in Fort Liard, holds steady in Fort Simpson

Tension high as water rises in Fort Liard, holds steady in Fort Simpson

With a highly anticipated spring breakup underway in the Dehcho, residents in Fort Liard and Fort Simpson N.W.T., are seeing rising water. In Fort Liard, water is reaching the main road in the community, falling about 400 meters short from the general store. "It's happening so fast, it seems," said Robert Low, who works at the band office there. He said that some people are currently stranded at the general store and that others are being taken to safety. The ice along the river appeared to be flowing, up until a big sheet of ice came, then Low said: "everything stopped."

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.

Fort Simpson waits anxiously for spring melt as N.W.T. gov't warns of flood risk

Fort Simpson waits anxiously for spring melt as N.W.T. gov't warns of flood risk

The mayor of Fort Simpson, N.W.T. said he is feeling trepidation as May approaches, after the community dealt with devastating flooding that time last year. Sean Whelly said the combination of snowfall and water levels, plus a late spring is raising anxieties in the town. "We've been warned by the territorial government that we're at high risk to experience some flooding again this year, so we're concerned," he said.

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.

Dehcho residents report fuel contamination, health concerns

Dehcho residents report fuel contamination, health concerns

Since flood waters hit the Northwest Territories communities of Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River, 10 reports of fuel spills have been reported on the territory's spill database, some on residential properties. It's left people wondering what that means for wildlife in the area and whether homes are actually safe to return to. Beth Hudson, a Fort Simpson resident, told CBC last week that there isn't clear information about environmental impact.

'It's time to check on your property': Fort Simpson water levels drop below 10 metres

'It's time to check on your property': Fort Simpson water levels drop below 10 metres

Water levels in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., dropped to 9.25 metres Sunday morning, and Mayor Sean Whelly said residents are heading back to their properties for the first time since an evacuation order was issued last weekend. More than 700 people were displaced and evacuated to higher ground or neighbouring communities as water levels grew to new extremes in the community, which rests at the intersection of the Mackenzie and Liard rivers. At one point, the water had swelled as high as 16 metres. "We're just telling people, go on down, it's time to check on your property and please let us know what damage has occurred," said Whelly.

700 people in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., displaced by flood, mayor says

700 people in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., displaced by flood, mayor says

An estimated 700 people have been displaced from their homes in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., the mayor said Monday morning, after the community of about 1,200 was flooded during seasonal ice breakup over the weekend. "There's basically people all over the place," Mayor Sean Whelly told CBC Radio's The Trailbreaker. "They're down the highway, some of them with motorhomes, camps — setting up a bush camp, and things like that." He said other residents have gone to stay with relatives or friends.

Siren sounds in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., as water levels reach 15 metres

Siren sounds in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., as water levels reach 15 metres

The sirens sounded for a second time in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., just before 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, signalling that water levels along the Mackenzie River had reached 15 metres. That triggered a final evacuation order for people who live on the island, which is home to about sixty per cent of Simpson's 1,200 residents. Emergency operation support staff will now go door to door to help anyone needing transportation to the recreation centre, where people are asked to register before moving on.

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