From wildfire-evacuated N.W.T. straight to university, some students never got to return home
CBC
When wildfires forced major swaths of the N.W.T.'s population to evacuate their communities last month, some students didn't get a chance to return home before heading off to college or university.
Students who spoke with CBC News described feeling isolated and having to leave their homes in a rush without their school gear and in some cases without getting to say a proper goodbye to friends and family members. Some are still waiting on student financial assistance, as the territorial staff responsible for handling that were also forced to leave.
Monique Chapman said it was gut-wrenching leaving her home without properly being able to say goodbye — she misses not having the chance to see her friends and family in Yellowknife.
"One last hug, one last meal with some of these people — It was really hard to just not be able to do that," she said.
When Yellowknife evacuated in mid-August, Chapman headed for Edmonton. From there, she flew to Scotland to begin studying at the University of Edinburgh.
Another student, Mary Chocolate, didn't have all the school supplies she needed with her because she had to evacuate from Yellowknife very quickly.
"I only had whatever I had in my suitcase," she said.
Chocolate evacuated from Yellowknife, headed to Edmonton and then went to Lethbridge College in Alberta.
She had to buy notebooks, pens, pencils, bedding and hygiene and healthcare supplies. She also had to repurchase textbooks she'd left behind in Yellowknife.
"I had to start from scratch all over again."
Chocolate said the whole experience of having to evacuate and then go straight to class was stressful. On top of that, it left her short on funds.
"From not having enough money for my rent and tuition or groceries, to having to leave my home pretty quickly due to a fire ... that impacted my mental health. So I've been feeling a little on-edge or anxious and stressed, while also trying to maintain my schoolwork and being in classes as well," she said.
"It's just been a lot."
Chocolate said she's still waiting to receive student financial assistance.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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