UPDATE: Gravel has been loaded into the bay and the Tsiigehtchic Ferry Land opened, with delays, on June 21.
Imagine being shipwrecked, watching ships pass by along the horizon, but never close enough for you to hop on and escape.
People in Tsiigehtchic donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to imagine that right now, as the community has been repeatedly isolated for close to a week after high water from the Mackenzie River washed out the charter communitySA国际影视传媒檚 ferry launch. Since June 14, there has been no ferry access to the community and high water limited how much service was available prior to that.
Stephanie Cardinal-Clark has been watching the ferry move from the Fort McPherson side to the Inuvik side for a few days. She admits sheSA国际影视传媒檚 getting frustrated waiting. Residents fortunate enough to own boats are able to get across and buy supplies, though it still isnSA国际影视传媒檛 easy.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 no bread, eggs, produce or dairy products,SA国际影视传媒� Cardinal-Clark said. SA国际影视传媒淓veryone has to make extra arrangements to meet a taxi on Inuvik side.SA国际影视传媒�
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not just food thatSA国际影视传媒檚 limited in the community either. As there is no airport, the entire charter community is dependent on the ferry to bring in everything from mail to medicine. In the event of a medical emergency, the only option in or out is by helicopter.
Even traditional harvesting practices, such as hunting and fishing, are being stymied by the elements. Debris carried by the high water prevents fishing and limited mobility is cutting off hunters from their quarry.
Things are getting bad enough, Gwichya GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Council interim president Mavis Clark sent a letter to Infrastructure Minister Diane Archie June 15 noting the community may need to declare a state of emergency if the situation doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 improve.
SA国际影视传媒淲e just had a couple days open that the ferry was able to land on the Tsiigehtchic landing,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he nurse that was here for a breakup was out on that. As soon as she was out, the water started rising and then weSA国际影视传媒檙e back in isolation. So we donSA国际影视传媒檛 even have a nurse here in the community.SA国际影视传媒�
Noting the lack of mail meant no one in the community was getting paid either, Clark expressed her hopes Housing NWT would be flexible in handling rent over the summer.
Adding to the frustration is a second boat launch, which Clark suggested could be accessed in the interim. However, she says sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been told it cannot be used due to heritage reasons.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a heritage river and theySA国际影视传媒檙e not allowed to use the boat launch,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have been using in the past and I donSA国际影视传媒檛 see why this should be such a big deal when itSA国际影视传媒檚 almost an emergency where we need food and we need our mail.SA国际影视传媒�
Cardinal-Clark said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been told the water levels upriver are receding, so sheSA国际影视传媒檚 hopeful the Mackenzie around Tsiigehtchic will follow suit in a few days. But itSA国际影视传媒檚 still a long few days when the community is waiting for food.
Gwichya GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Council negotiator Lawrence Norbert said the predicament is highly stressful, particularly as the community had just spent six weeks in isolation during spring break-up.
SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 normal but you get anxious to get out of town and go elsewhere SA国际影视传媒� Fort McPherson, Inuvik SA国际影视传媒� to get that human contact with family and friends,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭he three days of operation between June 11-13 was uplifting as some folks got a brief chance to SA国际影视传媒榞o to townSA国际影视传媒� for fresh groceries, do some banking and get some restaurant to take-out food.
SA国际影视传媒淏ut then to have that taken away and for who knows long due to high water just adds another stressor.SA国际影视传媒�
UPDATE: Gravel has been loaded into the bay and the Tsiigehtchic Ferry Land opened, with delays, on June 21.
