Part 3 - Dene Nation Speaks Out on the 2023 Wildfires Devastation and Why An Independent Inquiry Is Needed

As Long As The River Flows

WHAT - 2023 was an un10recedented year for wildfires in the NWT with almost 70% of the population being evacuated to communities across the NWT and western Canada.

A state of emergency was called and 13 communities including Behchoko, Fort Smith, Salt River First Nation, Smith Landing First Nation, Jean Marie River, West Point First Nation, Hay River, K'atl'odeeche First Nation, Enterprise, Ndilǫ, Dettah, Yellowknife and Kakisa were evacuated.

The Dene Nation calls for the full independent public inquiry to begin as soon as possible. Dene authority and governance must be recognized and included in all response plans going forward.

This podcast was created from the WEBINAR: Dene Nation Speaks Out on the 2023 Wildfires Devastation and Why An Independent Inquiry Is Needed which was streamed live on Mar 11, 2024

Part three - In Part Three Trevor Teed starts off speaking on his experience as both an evacuee and an employee of Dene Nation dealing with the Territorial Government during evacuation and the Red Cross at the evacuee centre in Edmonton. Then Jesse Cardinal of Keepers of the Water opens the webinar to other Chiefs on the call who would like to speak to their experiences. Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon of the Sahtu speaks on the lasting impacts on his community from the 2023 wildfires and the lack of experience of those leading the evacuation efforts for the GNWT. Jesse Cardinal recaps other speakers emphasis on the long standing effects of climate change including fires and drought, Dene Nation employees Wilbert Cook and Sam Bullock speak on the lack of organization and the effects on the evacuees. Then Chief Frank Andrew of Toledo wraps up part three with his communities experiences during the 2023 wildfires and the importance of recognizing climate change and it’s part in the 2023 wildfires.

Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon - Sahtu Dene Council Grand Chief and Dene Nation executive member

Chief Frank Andrew - was re-elected for another four-year term as chief of the Tulita Dene Band, in 2021

Trevor Teed - Lands and Environment director at Dene Nation, an evacuee and a Dene Nation employee who helped with evacuee response.

Wilbert Cook - Director of Housing at Dene Nation, an evacuee and a Dene Nation employee who helped with evacuee response.

Sam Bullock - Director of Fisheries at Dene Nation, an evacuee and a Dene Nation employee who helped with evacuee response.

Music: this too shall pass by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au