After living through a devastating flood in 2022 and rampant wildfires in 2023, many people in Hay River are “fearful” about the future, according to Elizabeth Nimegeers.
“Me personally, in terms of mental health, there’s PTSD, anxiety — and these aren’t things that solely I’m facing,” said Nimegeers, who works as a program coordinator at the town’s Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre. “I see it in the job I work and in the community as a whole. It’s an alarming factor of climate change. It’s affecting all of our lives. People are fearful that this spring there might be another [flood] or next spring. We’re just really hoping this isn’t a continuous thing here in Hay River because we have suffered some great losses here.”
She’s hopeful that this year’s 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 children’s’ book by Dr. Seuss. Then, at 7 p.m., adults will have the chance to watch Fuel, a 2008 documentary about the world’s 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.
“I’d say about three weeks ago we started planning for this event,” Nimegeers said. “We 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 we’re hoping for a good turnout.”
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.
“I 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 children… and for humanity as a whole,” she said. “I 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 can’t take care of Mother Earth, Mother Earth can’t take care of us. That’s something I’ve always prided myself on is trying to be caring in terms of our environment and the land we live on.
“I think it’s definitely important that we take Earth Day and every day seriously in terms of protecting the Earth,” she added. “I hope others feel the same way and continue to feel that way.”
Last year’s 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.