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We are a group of Resident Physicians completing our training in Family Medicine through the Yellowknife residency program. One of the things that we have come to know about Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories quickly when working, exploring and playing in this special part of Canada is the unbelievable sense of community and perseverance that embodies the North. Right now, this unique, welcoming and spectacular community needs our help:
As we write this from Edmonton, Alberta, there are currently 236 active fires burning in the Northwest Territories. There are 2,126,254 hectares (21,261 square km) which have been affected by these aforementioned fires. An area approximately 3 times the size of the Greater Toronto Area.
There are at least 8 communities and surrounding areas which have been issued evacuation orders at the time of creating this page, including the capital city of Yellowknife. This reflects 60% of the total population of the Territory, primarily being evacuated to cities in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba.
Approximately 50% of the population of the NWT are Indigenous peoples. This number increases to nearly 100% in the communities outside of the capital of Yellowknife. These groups and communities are so often disproportionately burdened by environmental crises exacerbated by climate change, and we are seeing that today. This fund is meant to centralize financial support to those communities requiring immediate relief and future rebuilding initiatives.
I recognize that these are trying economic times on a global scale. Right now, these times have become a true crisis for many citizens of a beautiful, unique place and community in Canada. Many citizens have been evacuated thousands of kilometres from their homes, with nothing more than what they could pack in a carry-on bag. We have formed this page to create a centralized donation platform to provide funding for evacuees, disaster relief services, and grass-roots movements involving stakeholders from respective communities during what is surely the most trying period of many individuals' lives.
Many groups are putting significant effort to provide aid in times of crisis. These groups include but are not limited to:
- United Way NWT has been doing excellent work to assist NWT organizations with their immediate needs, such as food, fuel and incidentals. Their link for donations is provided:
- CabinRadio is the premier outlet for news around the Territory, which is publicly funded. They have been providing instrumental updates and resources to residents of the Territory throughout the evacuation process and updates on the wildfires. Their links are below for financial support and news:
We will post regular updates regarding delegation of funding, and encourage anyone in touch with stakeholders of respective individual communities to reach out to us. We will be visiting evacuation centers in the Edmonton region to speak with community members about where this funding would most effectively help. A large part of disaster relief efforts are centred on rebuilding the communities impacted from an infrastructure standpoint, and this will be a focal point of this fund in the coming months.
The North is strong. The North is resilient. However, the North is burning, as we speak, to the ground. The North needs our help.
Please consider sharing within your circles of influence, and if you have any questions regarding our initiative please reach out.
Thank you from the Yellowknife Family Medicine Residents.