The Canadian Red Cross is on site at the Multiplex in Yellowknife this week, providing mental health and wellness support for evacuees from Liidlii Kue First Nation and Fort Simspon. Mental health resources for evacuees from Wrigley are also being made available on site in Fort Smith.
The Dehcho region communities have endured two weeks of an evacuation that began in late June.
N.W.T.’s health authority said resources can also be accessed via crisis lines or online through the mental health services e-portal.
Crisis lines
Evacuees are also being referred to mental health wellness supports available through local community counselling programs, in Fort Smith (867-872-6310) and Yellowknife 867-767-9100, with same day appointments available.
The health authority said that a number of helpline responders are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week including through 811 services (or 1-844-259-1793). Nurses and other health care professionals can provide critical help needed for stress management, for dealing with suicidal thoughts, abuse, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, grief, loss and substance use.
Staff at the health authority advised those who are impacted by the wildfires and evacuations that a number of services are available including a suicide crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week ( 9-8-8). The Hope For Wellness hotline, offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. The toll-free Help Line (1-855-242-3310) is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A live chat is also available online.
Kids Help phone is available or youth ages 25 years old or younger in need someone to talk to, the Kids Help Phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A texting option is also available 24 hours per day seven days per week.
Youth who would like to talk with a counsellor can call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text the word CONNECT to 686868.
Emotional and crisis referral services for Residential School Survivors can be accessed by phone by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
The authority said an MMIWG Crisis line is available for those in need 24 hours per day seven days per week, by calling 1-844-413-6649
For those who need to connect with Family Violence Shelter supports, whether in need a safe place to stay, an Emergency Protection Order or someone to talk to, a crisis line is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week by calling 1-866-223-7775.
Anyone who would like more information and regional contacts can also head to their website at https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/shelter-network
A list of updated information on services for evacuees can be found on the GNWT’s evacuees services and supports webpage at https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/public-safety/services-and-supports-evacuees.
Emergency Evacuation Relief Program
More information on the Emergency Evacuation Relief Program (EERP), the Emergency Allowance benefits health care, mental health support, child and family services and other GNWT programs is also available on the GNWT’s evacuees supports webpage.
Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Chief Kele Antoine said the community is working with officials to help speed up the process of receiving evacuation assistance payments.
Evacuees who have registered are being asked to provide information to process support funding.
Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson evacuees are being asked to contact the Liidlii Kue justice department or talk to staff in person at the Multiplex on Kam Lake Road.
More information is available on the community social media sites.
https://www.facebook.com/lkfirstnation
https://www.facebook.com/villageoffortsimpson
Wildfire situation
As mop-up operations move forward across the FS016 area, Chief Antoine said that one of the biggest challenges that response crews are dealing with is deep ash pits that continuing to burn and smoulder underground.
The focus remains fire response, which also includes actioning hot spots, with essential services yet to be restored to the community, said the chief.
On Thursday, Chief Antoine said it could be another week before evacuees can safely return.
This weekend, community officials extended a state of Local Emergency first declared following the evacuation. They said doing so would help with operations under emergency conditions and assist with access to resources needed to respond effectively.
In Liidlii Kue, Fort Simpson and Wrigley, response crews have also been working on clearing dangerous trees at risk of falling as well as repairing and replacing damaged power lines.
In Wrigley, crews reported over the weekend that the southeastern line of FS015 is now considered to be contained with Wildland crews monitoring for hot spots.
Wildland officials have also advised that fire danger continues despite the rains on Thursday and Wednesday that “significantly” reduced fire activity.
With weather conditions forecasted to change again next week, the relief is anticipated to be temporary.
“While rain will lower fire behaviour for a couple days, it will not have a permanent long-term effect on the fire as warm and dry conditions are forecast to return next week,” said Wildland crews in a Thursday bulletin.
The latest wildfire updates are being posted at NWT Fire and can also be found on the Liidlii Kue First Nation facebook site, the Fort Simpson facebook site.
Evacuees advised to register
Community members who have not already registered are being advised to register themselves and who has evacuated with them, by heading to the GNWT’s evacuation registration webpages.
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation is welcoming evacuees from these communities, located in the Dehcho region, to stay at the Wıìlıìdeh Site. The GNWT has asked evacuees from Liidlii Kue and Fort Simpson to register at the Yellowknife Multiplex on 41 Kam Lake Road. Shelter, food, supports and services are being provided there on site.
Evacuees from Wrigley are being asked to register at the Fort Smith Centennial Arena on 13 Rupert Ave. The arena has been transitioned into temporary shelter where evacuees can access other critical supports.
“There will be a place to sleep, food and people ready to help for as long as you need to be here,” advised staff with the health authority in a message on their information page. More information about services available in Fort Smith can be found through the town’s webpages.
The authority said that meals for evacuees from Wrigley in Fort Smith are now provided through a voucher system with participating restaurants including Aunties Korner Store, Anna’s Home Cooking, Berro’s Pizzeria, Pelican Restaurant and Nsixty/JavaPunks. They said registered evacuees can pick up their voucher at the Pelican Rapids Inn.
