The Northwest Territories’ premier and a number of MLAs paid tribute to victims of January’s Fort Smith plane crash as territorial politicians reconvened on Tuesday.
Four passengers – workers headed to the Diavik diamond mine – and two Northwestern Air Lease crew members lost their lives in the crash on the morning of January 23. One passenger survived with serious injuries.
Premier RJ Simpson, Speaker Shane Thompson, environment minister Jay Macdonald – who represents Fort Smith – and regular MLAs Kieron Testart, Richard Edjericon and Kate Reid all rose to offer tributes, thanking first responders and highlighting the outpouring of support for Fort Smith and loved ones of those on the flight.
“The tragic event has deeply impacted my community and the entire Northwest Territories,” said Macdonald, the Thebacha MLA. His son, Kurt, survived the crash.
“The journey of healing will be a difficult one but, as is the northern way, we will be there for one another, providing the support and strength needed to navigate through.”
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‘Our greatest strength’
Simpson said he visited Fort Smith shortly after the tragedy.
“It was clear that the people we lost were loved deeply and will be sorely missed,” he said. “I hope the families are able to find some comfort in the outpouring of community support that I witnessed.”
“In the Northwest Territories, we are all connected and it is this connection, this strong sense of community and togetherness, that defines us. It is our greatest strength.”
“Our residents and communities are connected to one another,” Thompson said in his opening remarks. “When one community hurts, we all hurt, but the reverse holds true. When a community needs healing, we come together to help heal.”
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Edjericon, the MLA for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, described the six people who lost their lives as “extraordinary” and said the entire territory was shaken by the accident.
“That flight to Diavik was carrying some of the North’s best and brightest,” he said. “Many on board had their whole lives ahead of them. They all had so much love to give and they were not ready to say goodbye.”
Edjericon said he had been particularly touched by tributes to Diane Balsillie, who lost her life in the crash and who has family in Fort Resolution, a community he represents.
“Her family will never forget her big hugs, warm greetings, her laughter and joyful smile. She was an inspiration to all that knew her,” he said. “The memories of her incredibly caring personality will live on forever. She will be deeply missed.”
“The NWT is a small town spread out over a large area,” said Reid, the MLA for Yellowknife’s Great Slave.
“We almost always know someone who is affected by a deeply felt loss and we will always stand shoulder to shoulder to support them in their grief.
“I know all of us stand here today with the town of Fort Smith.”
Testart, the MLA for Yellowknife’s Range Lake, said the NWT had lost people who represented its future, adding “we are lonelier as a territory in their absence as, most importantly, they were irreplaceable family members.”
Both Testart and Edjericon noted many northerners regularly take flights as part of their daily lives in the territory. While the cause of January’s accident remains unknown, an investigation is under way, which the two MLAs hope may identify changes that could save lives.
“This investigation will provide vital insight into how we can improve air transportation in the North,” Edjericon said.
