After living through a devastating flood in 2022 and rampant wildfires in 2023, many people in Hay River are SA国际影视传媒渇earfulSA国际影视传媒� about the future, according to Elizabeth Nimegeers.
SA国际影视传媒淢e personally, in terms of mental health, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 PTSD, anxiety SA国际影视传媒� and these arenSA国际影视传媒檛 things that solely ISA国际影视传媒檓 facing,SA国际影视传媒� said Nimegeers, who works as a program coordinator at the townSA国际影视传媒檚 Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre. SA国际影视传媒淚 see it in the job I work and in the community as a whole. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 an alarming factor of climate change. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 affecting all of our lives. People are fearful that this spring there might be another [flood] or next spring. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e just really hoping this isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a continuous thing here in Hay River because we have suffered some great losses here.SA国际影视传媒�
SheSA国际影视传媒檚 hopeful that this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Earth Day celebration at the friendship centre will provide a break from that stress, and help educate people about the importance of protecting the environment in the process.
The April 22 event, which was organized in collaboration with Arctic Energy Alliance, will include two film screenings. First up, at 4 p.m., younger attendees will be invited to watch The Lorax, an animated movie based on the popular childrenSA国际影视传媒檚SA国际影视传媒� book by Dr. Seuss. Then, at 7 p.m., adults will have the chance to watch Fuel, a 2008 documentary about the worldSA国际影视传媒檚 reliance on oil.
Both films will be free to watch, and there will be complimentary snacks and drinks on hand. There will also be door prizes.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檇 say about three weeks ago we started planning for this event,SA国际影视传媒� Nimegeers said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are trying to cater to the entirety of the community with two separate movies playing. Arctic Energy Alliance and myself, we have been contacting other businesses and organizations. All the schools have been notified too, so weSA国际影视传媒檙e hoping for a good turnout.SA国际影视传媒�
People in Hay River need no reminder about the dangerous effects of climate change, but Nimegeers hopes the Earth Day fun at Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre will help people appreciate the importance of protecting the planet, even as it changes.
SA国际影视传媒淚 hope they leave knowing that Earth Day is a prominent day, and recognizing the steps we should be taking collectively to make the changes we want to see in the world for our childrenSA国际影视传媒� and for humanity as a whole,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 grew up in the North, and I am Indigenous, so for me, Mother Earth provides for us. It houses us and feeds us, and if we canSA国际影视传媒檛 take care of Mother Earth, Mother Earth canSA国际影视传媒檛 take care of us. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 something ISA国际影视传媒檝e always prided myself on is trying to be caring in terms of our environment and the land we live on.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 definitely important that we take Earth Day and every day seriously in terms of protecting the Earth,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淚 hope others feel the same way and continue to feel that way.SA国际影视传媒�
Last yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Earth Day event in Hay River featured a screening of the film 2040, a documentary about some of the innovative solutions to climate change being developed around the world.
