6 days ago
Oilers Nation North In Whatì, Northwest Territories, population 550, diehard Edmonton Oilers fans are everywhere Writing and photography by Pat Kane Whatì, Northwest Territories The Globe and Mail Published 1 hour ago
In Whatì, Northwest Territories, there are two big questions on everyone's mind right now: When will the lake be ice-free to set fishing nets, and will their beloved Edmonton Oilers win the Stanley Cup?
'We've been Oilers fans since the beginning, since birth,' Gerry Nitsiza says, adding in a boisterous cheer, 'We want Cup! We want Cup!'
Whatì, a remote Dene community 160 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife, is a quiet place known mostly for traditional pursuits such as caribou and moose hunting, fishing and trapping. The picturesque community sits on the shore of Lac La Martre, the third-largest lake in the Northwest Territories. One-of-a-kind beadwork and moccasins are found here. Foxes, rabbits and the occasional black bear roam the bushes nearby. But Whatì is also known as Oilers Nation North – almost every one of the roughly 550 residents is an Edmonton Oilers superfan.
Orange-and-blue Oilers flags fly outside most homes, or hang in living-room and car windows. Gerry and Leona Nitsiza used scrap lumber to build an Oilers sign and logos that they attached to the siding of their home during last year's Stanley Cup run.
'It took us a while to build these, and then everyone started asking us to build them,' Mr. Nitsiza says.
His brother, Reginald Nitsiza, has 'Oilers' in lumber on his shed, but added flags across his fence. He also has a replica Stanley Cup made of a paint bucket and a plastic bowl wrapped in tinfoil that sits atop a plinth that he built.
'You know what? When Toronto and Florida were playing, I was cheering for Florida because I wanted a rematch,' Reginald says.
When asked if there are any local Leafs fans, he chuckles. 'No, only Oilers.'
It is not uncommon to see Edmonton Oilers supporters in the Northwest Territories. The entire territory is full of diehard fans, from the Alberta boundary to the Arctic Ocean.
In Inuvik, 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Oilers fans gathered beside the Mackenzie River and snapped selfies after the team beat the Dallas Stars to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup final. Several other communities held celebration rallies, including Whatì.
'The Oilers are closest [geographically], so we consider Edmonton our home team,' Leona Nitsiza says.
But Whatì's enthusiasm for the team is unmatched in the North, and given its size, it is impressive to see so much Oilers swag packed into a town that is smaller than most neighbourhoods in Toronto.
Francis Beaverho decorates his truck in Oilers flags and drives around the community honking his horn when the team wins. The habit has become a local tradition, and now the whole community takes part in the parade – and if they don't, they at least know who won the game.
'People in town see pictures and videos on the community Facebook page, and they like it, the people, they're happy. Even the young kids ride around on their bikes. Everybody is happy,' he says.
