Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Colleagues, welcome back to the House.
Mr. Speaker, Wednesday, May 11th, 2022, will be a day many residents of K’atl’odeeche First Nation and the Town of Hay River will remember for a long time. The waters the Hay River had been consistently rising during the day and into the evening. Chief April Martel had posted a Facebook video showing the water levels creeping inland at the community arbor area. It had come in about a thousand feet inland from the arbor and the arbor is close to the riverbank. Water was affecting many homes near the riverbanks and was, in fact, moving some houses, many sheds, numerous items that were strewn throughout many yards. The KFN fire chief pulled the fire siren to warn of an immediate evacuation of all residents of KFN. This was at approximately 11 o'clock at night. Darkness was already setting in, and the Chief was the last to leave the reserve. Chief April Martel is a young woman leader and showed great resolve to ensure the safety of her membership. She's to be commended for her actions.
Chief April Martel, being modest, wishes to thank the many KFN residents who stepped up to assist in any way to ensure many of the residents, including the elderly, were out of harm's way; fire chief Michael Sunrise and assistant fire chief Derrick Fabian for sounding the alarm. This in fact was heard many on the new town side and warned them of impending danger.
The safety of the Dene Wellness Centre was compromised due to its proximity to the river and rising waters and rushing ice which were crashing and breaking the trees on the riverbank. Many of the residents with vehicles assisted to move everyone to safety at the Hamlet of Enterprise and to other communities. Many had not slept all night, including the Chief who was concerned for her membership's wellbeing. Many volunteers stayed to main a truck stop into the reserve where they had set up a couple of campers.
I, along with the Chief of the K’atl’odeeche First Nation, send sincere appreciation and many thanks to all surrounding communities who put up KFN Members and provided assistance and food.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement, mahsi.
Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi, colleagues.
Mahsi cho to the GNWT for the swift actions in securing accommodations and meals for many of the evacuees of this devastating flood. Mahsi Cho to Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Enterprise, Fort Providence, Yellowknife, and Hay River. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
