Latest news with #Dehcho
CBC
12-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
'Normal' fire activity for now, says N.W.T. Fire, but danger could ramp up in July
Social Sharing The Northwest Territories could see a lot of fire activity later this summer. On Monday afternoon, N.W.T. Fire briefed reporters on the forecast for the coming fire season. Richard Olsen, the manager of fire operations for the territorial government, said fire behaviour modelling from Natural Resources Canada shows "normal" fire activity is anticipated in the territory until the end of June — but things could ramp up after that. "As we do get into July and August, we are expected to see potentially an above-average type of conditions," he told reporters. In some parts of the territory, modelling shows fire risk could be "well above average," he added. Drought conditions continue Olsen said when you look at the relative moisture of soil here, a large part of the N.W.T. is still experiencing "severe drought" compared to the rest of Canada. Going into last winter, the Dehcho region, the regions south and west of Great Slave Lake, and the southern Sahtu were all experiencing drought, and there wasn't enough precipitation this winter to change that. "In large portions of the N.W.T., we are starting to get into normal or slightly below normal snowfalls," he said. "But generally nothing that's seen as a significant dump of snow that really looked to make a large change and impact on the forest floor … in terms of how deep and severe some of these fires might burn." Because of this, Olsen said, they are anticipating that they are starting the fire season with drought conditions around Great Slave Lake, the Dehcho and the southern Sahtu region. Olsen said the territory is also expected to see above-average temperatures this summer in June, July and August — another factor that would support fire growth. N.W.T. Fire preparing for fires Olsen said despite the tough fire conditions, he is feeling good about the upcoming fire season. Olsen said the territory has brought on additional helicopters and tankers to fight fires this year, thanks to funding from the federal government. They are currently planning to have 34 fire crews in total this summer, all with either four or five people. He said all but a couple of those crews have finished their training, and tankers and helicopters will start to join the firefighting teams gradually throughout the month. Olsen said N.W.T. Fire has begun implementing recommendations that came out of the review of the 2023 fire season and after-action reviews looking at specific fires, especially around communication and co-ordination with communities. He said crews in the Dehcho and South Slave are fully operational, and N.W.T. Fire is flying over overwintering fires to identify and action hotspots.
CBC
07-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
No active wildfires yet, but fire danger rising in southern N.W.T.
The risk of wildfires around Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte is expected to be high in the next couple days, the N.W.T. government said Wednesday. In its first fire update of the season, N.W.T. Fire said no active wildfires are burning in the territory yet. However, it expects most of the South Slave and Dehcho regions to reach moderate fire danger soon. "In all areas in the south of the territory, we expect some periods of high winds — which can be problematic even at low or moderate levels of fire danger," it stated. "That means for the south of the territory, conditions are here to support new starts and fast growth." It also said that this time of year it's generally person-caused fires that cause the "biggest issues," and suggested people avoid having fires if the danger in their area is high or extreme.
CBC
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Negotiators want next N.W.T. MP to advance land claims
Social Sharing Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian says the N.W.T.'s future MP will need to "roll up their sleeves" with federal negotiators to bring unresolved land claims over the finish line. Their biggest challenge? Sparse and "slow" negotiations where time is spent reviewing minutes instead of advancing issues needing "immediate attention" like governance and resources, said Norwegian. Dehcho's claim process has been ongoing for over 20 years and he says in one year they only negotiated for just 21 days. "We're just being dragged down the damn road," he said, describing prolonged negotiations as an "ongoing trauma." "After all, it's our land," he said. The N.W.T. has three unresolved land claims affecting the Dehcho First Nations, Akaitcho Dene and the North Slave Métis. Akaitcho Dene First Nations includes Yellowknives Dene, Łutsel K'e Dene and Deninu Kųę́ First Nations, who reached a draft agreement in 2023. Abiding by UNDRIP Twenty-two years into negotiations, Yellowknives Dene Ndilǫ Chief Fred Sangris said Akaitcho communities are "wordsmithing" with Ottawa lawyers under the Liberal government to clarify their rights. "Under [UNDRIP] there is no need for any Indigenous group in the world to extinguish all their rights," he said. "We don't want to have an agreement like other First Nations across Northwest Territories that have extinguished. Once you extinguish, you can't go back to the table and ask for anything else." Federally, the Liberal, Green Party, and the New Democratic Party platforms support implementing UNDRIP. On Tuesday Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre sidestepped questions on whether they would fully implement the law but the party's platform is to "get projects built again by repealing the Liberal anti-development laws." Clarifying power of claims Projects like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, which would pass through Dehcho communities, could change the face of the region and increase access to their lands. Liberal Candidate Rebecca Alty said that she would support bringing in technical experts to advance efforts to establish the Mackenzie Valley Highway, Slave Geological all-season road to the Nunavut border, and the Gray's Bay port and road project. She said she would push for more days spent negotiating, and allocate more staff to negotiating settlement and build capacity to devolve responsibilities under Indigenous self-government, as with the Inuvialuit on child and family services. The Liberal government was working on passing legislation to use a commissioner of modern treaty implementation to interpret agreements through the commission rather than going to court. The NDP's Kelvin Kotchilea said unsettled claims mean First Nations lack "meaningful" equity shares in major diamond, mineral and oil and gas development and that Indigenous governments told him the next MP should be a "partner in lobbying" to advance claims. Unresolved claims in the Dehcho and Akaitcho regions and the North Slave Metis Alliance, pose a "big question mark" over resource exploration, land protection, resource royalties, cultural activities and , said Kotchilea. He called some Impact Benefit Agreements a "joke" because millions of dollars could have "fixed the housing shortage in [the Tlicho] region if these mines were serious about partnership rather than tokenism and taking advantage of us." Kotchilea said the NDP will advance the Mackenzie Valley Highway by meeting with impacted communities Wrigley, Tulita, Deline, Fort Good Hope and Norman Wells. Green Party Candidate Rainbow Eyes said "Canada has a history of going about it in a colonial way, not getting the perspectives and views of the people" and that "open dialogue will move claims ahead." The Green Party supports Indigenous title affirmation according to the Supreme Court ruling with Tsilhqot'in Nation, and the Haida Title agreement. It promises land restitution and identifying federal and Crown lands suitable for transfer to Indigenous ownership. The Greens would replace First Ministers' meeting with Indigenous, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments forming a Council of Canadian Governments. Conservative Candidate Kimberly Fairman said her party will focus on "shovel ready" projects in the territory and pursue the Gray's Bay Port and road project. In CBC's election forum with the N.W.T.'s four candidates, Fairman said settling claims would give certainty on development and that the resource sector is one of the "key supportive sectors for our whole economy." Fairman said the North is "10 years behind" on exploration, which she says has been "very slow or stagnant" because companies are reluctant to invest if they do not expect financial returns. The party's platform does not mention land claims or negotiations but says it would establish a nation-to-nation consultation process for legislation and projects affecting First Nations. Fairman proposed a First Nations resource charge policy to access money directly from private companies rather than seek funds from territorial and federal governments. Benefiting from development Norwegian expects a "big push to get lands and resources back on the table" in upcoming negotiations. Land claim resolution goes hand-in-hand with self-governance, and would enable Akaitcho communities to advance on issues like housing and economic development, said Sangris. Sangris said housing and homelessness continue to affect communities and most land claims do not have housing under their agreements. "If you don't have a home, you can't get a job, because you don't have an address and that's a problem." Sangris said N.W.T. residents need a leader who can address both U.S. attacks on Canada's economy and "outstanding grievances on the land claim process." Unresolved claims North Slave Métis Alliance (NSMA) President Marc Whitford said they sent the federal government a revised asserted claim last summer and are still waiting to initiate a process, he said. "We have trouble with some of the economic initiatives that we're working on, because we're viewed differently than the [First Nations] that actually do have a claim." In the Dehcho, Norwegian said negotiators are working on issues of governance and residency requirements — they sought 10 year residency for electoral participation rather than the federal government's suggested two. This is to protect against "transient governments" in the event of large resource development projects, he said.
CBC
11-03-2025
- General
- CBC
Fort Liard resident says wood stove program recipients chosen ahead of meeting
A Fort Liard, N.W.T., resident says she feels deceived over how a program to put free wood stoves in residents' homes has unfolded. Kathy McLeod said Acho Dene Koe First Nation members were invited in a Facebook post to attend a March 5 information session to become one of 50 people to benefit from a program installing hundreds of wood stoves. The initiative would see 350 woodstoves, each worth $12,000, installed in southern N.W.T. homes in the next year and a half to reduce their reliance on fossil fuel heating. McLeod said she went to that meeting in hopes of securing one for herself — but instead found out that the list of recipients was already decided. When she arrived 15 minutes before the meeting, McLeod asked to be put on the list. She said she was informed the list was already full. "I walked out ... quite a bit of people had walked out of the meeting, too, because they were told the same information, that they couldn't put their name on the list because the chief already picked the names." In an email, Acho Dene Koe First Nation clarified that the program and its recipients are managed by Gonezu Energy on behalf of Dehcho First Nations. Band manager Boyd Clark wrote to CBC that there was a "misunderstanding" regarding the First Nation's role. "The chief and council of Acho Dene Koe First Nation did not participate in the selection process but supported and promoted the program," wrote Clark in an email. "Acho Dene Koe First Nation holds no additional information regarding the allegations made by the community member and cannot comment further on this matter," he added, directing CBC's questions to Gonezu Energy. Gonezu Energy, based in Fort Providence, plans to install more than 40 wood stoves every month until June in communities like Fort Providence, Wrigley, Fort Simpson, Hay River, Nahanni Butte, Sambaa K'e and Jean Marie River. Jason Collard, CEO of Gonezu Energy, told CBC in a March 10 statement that the program, designed by 11 Indigenous governments, takes direction on the selection of stove recipients from each Indigenous government. In a Trail's End interview in February about the program,, Collard said community governments could identify people through an advisory committee made up of representatives from each Indigenous government. "We're deferring to the community Indigenous governments for guidance on if they have priority members that they would like to have selected for participation in the program," said Collard at that time. Gonezu planned information sessions in each community about the Gonezu Energy Wood Stove Program. The initiative is also creating opportunities within the Dehcho with an 18-month training program to teach people to install these stoves and build capacity. The company will assist community members with sustainable wood harvesting methods to expand the economic and sustainability benefits of the project. "It might be slightly different [for] each community, but the goal is to make an open and transparent process about how these were arrived at, and if there's more of a need ... we'll go back and try to get some additional funding to do more," he said at the time. People thought meeting was first opportunity to sign up McLeod lived in her home for 20 years and says a wood stove would reduce her reliance on heating fuel. "I always wanted a wood stove. That's why I was so excited when I seen the sign for this meeting, so I thought, 'OK, that's my opportunity to get a stove.' But I guess it didn't work out that way." McLeod said she feels the process posted about the program online was not followed. "To me, we should be working together and the chief and council should be working together with the community, not just one person running the show and picking names," she said.
CBC
07-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Deaths of 3 Dehcho residents have MLAs demanding an investigation
Social Sharing Three people from the Dehcho under the age of 50 have died in circumstances that were highly preventable, according to their families and N.W.T. politicians. Wesley Marcellais, 44, Hilary Norwegian, 34, and Avery Burke, 6, all died within the first six weeks of 2025. Their families say their treatments are examples of substandard health care for Indigenous people. A motion that MLAs passed at the legislature on Thursday calls for the territory's health minister to appoint an investigator to look into the deaths. Kate Reid, the MLA for Great Slave, brought forward the motion. She said it speaks to inequity in the territory's health-care system. "These three individuals did not have to pass away. If the system worked properly we would not have these highly preventable deaths," she said. "These communities feel that the system does not care for them. They feel that they are not important. They simply want access to appropriate care and want to be taken seriously in times of emergency." The motion also calls for the minister to table any recommendations the investigator finds along with a plan to address them. Health Minister Lesa Semmler extended her condolences to the families and recognized their need for answers. "I completely understand the desire to know why it happened and most importantly, what we as a health-care system can learn from these tragedies so we can create meaningful change and do everything possible to prevent other families from experiencing this kind of heart-breaking loss," she said. Semmler said that since the motion makes a recommendation to government, that she and her cabinet colleagues would abstain from the vote. But, she said, it's important that the government use every tool to improve patient safety and accountability in the healthcare system. "I want to assure the families and communities affected that their voices matter and that these tragedies will not be ignored." Semmler said the incidents are being investigated through the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services' quality assurance framework to improve care in the health system, but that the investigation MLAs are calling for could happen simultaneously. The N.W.T.'s coroner is also investigating the deaths. 'We're not set up here' In some small communities, Reid pointed out there are health cabins that are scheduled to have visits from a nurse or sometimes a doctor once a month, if weather allows for them to travel. "If the weather does not co-operate, communities can go months without seeing a nurse," she said. Kakisa is one of those communities. It often relies on medical services from Fort Providence or Hay River — about 70 kilometres and 135 kilometres away, respectively. Ka'a'gee Tu First Nation Chief Lloyd Chicot said that means residents of Kakisa could be waiting hours for help. "We've had to take matters … into our own hands." he said. Chicot pointed to a recent situation where he said community members used oxygen from a fire truck to help a woman having a heart attack until an ambulance arrived. He said sometimes community members start driving patients down the highway to meet an ambulance. "We're not set up here in the community to deal with a lot of those emergencies," he said. Medevac escorts The motion was part of a larger discussion about equitable access to healthcare in smaller communities. Many of those communities rely on medevacs to hospitals in regional centres in the N.W.T. or to Edmonton for treatment. MLAs passed another motion Thursday calling for escorts for medevac patients. Kieron Testart, the MLA for Range Lake, brought that motion forward and said medical staff themselves say patients in critical care need the support of loved ones to navigate unfamiliar cities, understand paperwork, and to provide emotional and cultural support. "This is about compassion, it's about doing the right thing, and it's why we're here," said Inuvik MLA Denny Rodgers who supported the motion. Semmler said medical transports don't support escorts for safety reasons because they need space in the vehicle or aircraft to care for the patient. She also said it's important to ensure public funds are focused on delivering essential health services. The government has 120 days to respond to both motions.
