Schools in Fort Simpson and Jean Marie River are scheduled to reopen following the May long-weekend.

Evacuated residents of Fort Simpson returned to the village this week as water levels receded. The community is now working to assess damages from the worst flooding in 50 years, according to mayor Sean Whelly.

Remaining evacuees in the Fort Smith and Hay River evacuation centres returned to Fort Simpson. Meanwhile, the evacuation centre in Fort Providence continues to support evacuees from Jean Marie River

With the Fort Simpson school on higher ground, Whelly said damages, if present at all, are limited. The bigger obstacle, he said, is teachers and community members returning to the community and dealing with issues on their own properties.

At least one teacher is among the six households being put up in a hotel.

Since itSA国际影视传媒檚 been deemed safe to return to the island, Whelly said the GNWT has yet to find any employees or contractors who can come in to assess the damages.

Whelly compared the situation to a patient going to the doctor for back pain, and the doctor responding that he canSA国际影视传媒檛 help because the patient couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 identify exact criteria of the pain.

SA国际影视传媒淭he doctor is supposed to do the assessment, not the patient. The details need to come from the professionals,SA国际影视传媒� Whelly said.

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 calling on the territorial government to SA国际影视传媒渟tep-up,SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒減ut their money where their mouth is,SA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒渟tand by their commitment to do the work.SA国际影视传媒�

In the weeks leading up to the evacuation, Whelly recalls a number of notices warning of high water levels and likely flooding. SA国际影视传媒淲e knew the flooding was coming and they still didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have an assessor around.SA国际影视传媒�

With the disaster of the evacuation behind the village, Whelly said he has the residents of Fort Simpson and the kindness of those who donated to thank for the easing the crisis.

Now community members are turning to Whelly with questions of next steps that he canSA国际影视传媒檛 answer without getting some clarity himself.

He said it is unclear what the territorial government will fund and what the village is paying for out of pocket.

SA国际影视传媒淭he village is not an endless pot of money,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淎t some point the territorial government needs to say what they will fund and what they wonSA国际影视传媒檛.SA国际影视传媒�

Whelly suspects the GNWT is looking to get reimbursed from the federal government themselves but is calling on the territorial government to be clear on how the community should move forward.

SA国际影视传媒淲hatSA国际影视传媒檚 the hold up? Why do we have to go through typical government bureaucracy in the aftermath of an emergency.SA国际影视传媒�

Meanwhile, Whelly said that with all the talk of Canadian Rangers coming in for support, he has yet to hear whether or not that is still on the agenda.

With the worst of the flooding behind them, Whelly said having the troops SA国际影视传媒渋snSA国际影视传媒檛 mission criticalSA国际影视传媒� he is just looking for communication on what is and is not in the plan.

Returning residents have been managing sewer backup problems and keeping photos of damages for those whose homes are salvageable.

Whelly expressed concern for the homeless population and clients of the warming shelter, which has faced SA国际影视传媒渋rreversible damage.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e need an assessor to show up. We need to talk about a solution for those who have been permanently displaced from their home,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淣one of these resources are being coordinated or being put into place.SA国际影视传媒�

To the territorial government, Whelly is asking, SA国际影视传媒淚s there a solution? If so, tell us now because people would like to know.SA国际影视传媒�