Within a day of evacuating, Dehcho First Nations health and wellness program manager Gracyn Tanche knew she had to do something to help her fellow evacuees.
“My role is to be a helper already, and it’s who I am as an individual,” Tanche said.
“It’s a good way of helping and supporting my community but also personally, I’m keeping myself busy, so I don’t sit at home and stress and worry about what’s going on back in Fort Simpson.”
She feels fortunate to have family and friends in Yellowknife to stay with, so she doesn’t have to sleep at the evacuation centre set up in the multiplex. Other evacuees are not as lucky.
“Seeing our Elders and seeing our community members, the small children, everybody being displaced – and in the heat, people not being able to rest and stuff like that – it wore heavy on my heart,” said Tanche.
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She has now started a team of volunteers from Fort Simpson, including Yellowknifers who used to live in Fort Simpson or people with family in the community, and is coordinating donations, cooking traditional food and getting supplies for evacuees.
“We’re extremely grateful for all the support that we’re receiving, all the individuals that are dropping off stuff, anybody that’s been reaching out,” said Tanche.
“The outpour since putting my post out for a call for donations has been amazing.”
When Cabin Radio spoke with Tanche on Tuesday, she said fans, foamies for cots, lawn chairs and gazebo structures for the sun are the most needed items.
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There is also a Facebook support group that posts information about supplies evacuees in Yellowknife need.
Tanche said the Salvation Army has been helping to store food donations while other volunteers are cooking traditional food.
The heat is a big issue, Tanche said. She said evacuees are having trouble sleeping with the blankets provided or finding shade to sit outside.
“Yesterday, personally, just because it was so hot, I went and bought as many popsicles as I could, and I came back and I just gave those away,” said Tanche.
“The little acts of kindness like that have been making a difference.”
She said fellow evacuees were worried about Monday’s wind shift pushing fire FS016 toward Fort Simpson but on Tuesday, “things seem to be a little bit better.”
Tanche said mental health supports are available at the evacuation centre.
“We’re grateful and we appreciate everything that’s being done for our community members,” Tanche said.
