Behchoko evacuees were on their way home Thursday after being forced to flee to Yellowknife for over a week due to a destructive wildfire.

While some were elated to be heading home, others wrestled with apprehension because they didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know what awaited them.

For Walter and Beatrice Naedzo it was even worse. The couple, who have four children, lost their home in the enormous blaze, which grew to well over 100,000 hectares.

ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 nothing left but the cement foundation.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e happy for the people that are going home but not so much for ourselves because we got no home to go to. Our home, it was completely burned down to the ground,SA国际影视传媒� Walter said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 nothing really to look forward to going home because all weSA国际影视传媒檙e gonna see is the damage of our house.SA国际影视传媒�

The family is looking for another place to live. Walter said their preference is to go back to Rae to be near relatives.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut now weSA国际影视传媒檒l take whatever that comes our way, maybe even a home (cooked) meal everywhere, if we have to,SA国际影视传媒� said Beatrice.

She said their home was unique and built from scratch by six members family without any help from others. They gave the house a fresh paint of coat just two years ago.

SA国际影视传媒淲e gave all the paintbrushes to our kids and theySA国际影视传媒檙e all painting themselves,SA国际影视传媒� she recalled.

Walter said the saddest thing isnSA国际影视传媒檛 the monetary costs associated with losing their home, but the loss of the familySA国际影视传媒檚 memories and keepsakes.

Nonetheless, Walter and Beatrice are determined to rebuild their home and move forward. With their children growing fast, the couple are imagining a bigger home for their family.

SA国际影视传媒淭hank God ISA国际影视传媒檓 still young. You know, I want to do another house,SA国际影视传媒� said Walter. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping some time in the near futureSA国际影视传媒� all this is left behind us.SA国际影视传媒�

Tracy Beaulieu, another of the evacuees who was also waiting for the bus back home on Thursday, admitted that she had mixed feelings.

SA国际影视传媒淲e just donSA国际影视传媒檛 know what weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be going home to,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

She has been trying to stave off worries since the evacuation order was given and praying that this sort of tragedy does not occur again.

Online mental health supports will be available even after everybody has gone home to Behchoko and the Tlicho Community Services Agency will provide healing on site, according to NWT Health and Social Services spokesperson Sean Whitcomb.

SA国际影视传媒淲e will be doing our absolute best to make sure that people are aware of them and weSA国际影视传媒檙e able to help where weSA国际影视传媒檙e needed,SA国际影视传媒� he said.