Latest news with #N.W.T.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., has a new chief. Here's what she's hoping to accomplish
Charlene Blake, the new chief in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., says her number-one priority is to to add more wellness programs and address the housing shortage in her community. "One of the major things that's happening in our community, and our territory, is substance abuse," she said. "My key objective is [on-the-]land wellness, and providing our members with services and supports." Blake was elected as chief of the local Gwichya Gwich'in band on Monday. She works at the community health centre and previously served as acting sub-chief for several years. She is also a councillor for the Hamlet of Tsiigehtchic, a role she plans to stay in if possible. She will serve alongside elected Gwichya Gwich'in band council members Dinah Blake, Albert Ross, Cindy McDonald and Jamie Blake. Blake told CBC she decided to run for chief after some elders and youth in the community encouraged her to put her name forward, and she feels grateful to have been chosen. "I've been getting hugs all over town, and congratulations," she said. "I feel so honoured." In addition to addressing addictions, Blake said she is committed to ensuring "good partnerships" with Tsiigehtchic's mayor and hamlet council to address important issues. Blake says she is also dedicated to working with the Gwichya Gwich'in land claims organization, which represents Tsiigehtchic on the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Store owner in Norman Wells, N.W.T., weighs in on the 2025 barge season
The N.W.T. government says it's carrying 529 tonnes of dry cargo and over 2.5 million litres of fuel for Tulita and Norman Wells. We spoke with Joshua Earls, the president of Rampart Rentals in Norman Wells, about this year's barge season.
CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Jean Marie River residents told to prepare in case of evacuation due to threatening wildfire
Jean Marie River First Nation in the N.W.T. warned residents to be prepared for the possibility of an evacuation as a wildfire burns 23 kilometres from the community. In a Facebook post published around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, the community government wrote that an evacuation alert has been issued. An alert is the second on a three-tier system the territory uses for emergencies, and means residents should get their personal belongings prepared in case an evacuation is ordered. The community's Chief Melanie Norwegian-Menacho confirmed with CBC News that the evacuation alert had been issued. She said this came from information shared by the territorial government. Norwegian-Menacho said the community is not in immediate danger, but that the warning comes from a possible shift in the winds, which could push the fire toward the community. N.W.T. Fire also confirmed the evacuation alert is in effect. The threatening wildfire, known as FS014-25, was caused by lightning, according to the N.W.T. Fire map. It is 2,200 hectares in size and is burning out of control. An update on the fire says the northeast corner of the fire is particularly active, and crews are working to contain it.
CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Evacuation alert for Jean Marie River, N.W.T. downgraded to evacuation notice
Social Sharing Residents in Jean Marie River, N.W.T. no longer have to be ready for a potential evacuation after the community downgraded its evacuation alert to an evacuation notice Saturday afternoon. In a Facebook post, the First Nation said the risk of a nearby wildfire fire has lessened. The community was put on evacuation alert on July 7, advising people to prepare in case they had to leave on short notice. According to the N.W.T. fire map on Saturday afternoon, the wildfire is about 24 kilometres northwest of the community. In an update Saturday night, N.W.T. Fire said that wildfire crews and airtankers are continuing to keep the fire from spreading toward the community, including two fire crews of 11 firefighters working on the south side of the fire closest to the community. On Thursday morning, N.W.T. Fire information officer Charles Poon said rain had helped prevent the fire from moving closer to the community and that a large sprinkler system had been set up around Jean Marie River. The evacuation notice indicates that there is an increased risk to the community. Jean Marie River First Nation is asking residents to be aware that conditions could change and to follow the Facebook page for updates.
CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Jean Marie River residents told to prepare again for potential evacuation due to wildfire
Social Sharing Jean Marie River, N.W.T., has issued another evacuation alert, after strong winds caused a nearby wildfire to grow toward the community this weekend. Leaders in the community issued the evacuation alert on Sunday, asking residents to keep their cars full of gas and gather important documents in case the community needs to evacuate later. This marks the second evacuation alert for Jean Marie River this summer due to the same wildfire, FS014. The first evacuation alert, issued on July 7, was downgraded to an evacuation notice a few days later. Mike Westwick, a fire information officer with N.W.T. Fire, told CBC on Monday that strong winds this weekend caused the fire to make a "significant run" toward Jean Marie River, and that the fire had "jump[ed] some containment lines" established earlier this month. He said the fire is currently about 14 kilometres from the community at its closest point. Westwick said winds are expected to shift later on Monday, making it less likely the fire will continue to grow toward Jean Marie River. He added that crews are working to stop the growth of the fire toward Jean Marie River. They are dropping fire retardant at the fire's perimeter by ground and by air tanker. Structural protection specialists are also working to re-establish sprinklers and other structural protections around Jean Marie River that were removed after risk to the community was downgraded earlier this month. On Monday, Jean Marie River First Nation announced that it was postponing this year's family reunion and annual general meeting, events that were scheduled to happen next weekend.
