What’s available for Fort Simpson and Wrigley evacuees so far

Governments, non-profits and communities are offering various services for evacuees from Fort Simpson and Wrigley who’ve made it to Yellowknife, Fort Smith and beyond.

Meanwhile, residents of host communities are lining up to ask how they can help.

On this page, we’re collating all the information we receive about how evacuees can access services and how residents can assist.

If you have something to add to this page, email us with the details and a URL if there’s a relevant webpage.

You can also use this form to get in touch.

Supports for all evacuees

Any evacuee is eligible to apply for a one-time payment from the GNWT’s Emergency Evacuation Relief Program (abbreviated to “EERP,” the noise you make when you receive an evacuation order).

Evacuees aged 18 and over get $800. Dependents under 18 qualify for $400 each.

If you haven’t already applied, you can start the process here. There’s also a visual guide to how the process works.

“Residents who apply will receive payment as soon as possible,” the GNWT states, but there isn’t a set time window in which you can expect the money to arrive.

Sign-up closes 14 days after an evacuation order is lifted, so do it sooner rather than later.

Supports in Yellowknife

The City of Yellowknife is providing cots and showers for Fort Simpson evacuees at the multiplex. Evacuees also have free transit access via their wristbands (though note there isn’t any transit on Canada Day).

The Salvation Army says it is providing meals for just under 500 evacuees at the multiplex, including more than 80 children.

The Lakeshore Co-op and United Way NWT are providing just under $35,000 in gift cards for distribution to evacuees. The Salvation Army said it’s planning a pop-up thrift store at the reception centre for clothing and other essentials – so far, there’s no mechanism to donate to that store, but we’ll add that information here once we get it.

“Financial donations are the fastest and most effective way to help The Salvation Army provide meals, emergency shelter, essential supplies,” the charity stated. The City of Yellowknife has similarly told residents offering to help that they should donate cash to The Salvation Army.

The NWT SPCA animal shelter has said it can’t host large dogs, instead directing people to boarding kennels like Qimmiq and Borealis. The shelter can offer food and other assistance.

There has been no callout for volunteers from City Hall.

A Facebook support group has been established with information primarily focused on Yellowknife, though some posts are applicable to all evacuees.

Supports in Fort Smith

Fort Smith is hosting Wrigley evacuees. The registration venue is the Centennial Arena, where meals are being provided.

The Sister Sutherland Thrift Store is available for evacuees to access clothing and other essentials at 156 Breynat Street. Service Canada can help with employment assistance and other federal supports.

Showers are available at the recreation centre. The pool has been made available for free swims.

Fort Smith’s animal shelter is ready to support evacuees who need assistance with pets, a town spokesperson said.

The Town of Fort Smith says it is taking names for volunteers and assigning them as needs arise. Call 867-872-8228 to be added to the list. Donations aren’t currently being accepted.