Tune in Tomorrow for CKLB’s Saturday Request Show Sponsored by the GNWT to Kick Off the “Dear Fort Liard” Campaign

News Releases

Yellowknife — January 22, 2021

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and CKLB Radio are teaming up on a campaign called ‘Dear Fort Liard’.

This campaign is about people across the territory offering support to friends and family in the community of Fort Liard who have been faced with challenges as they work together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The GNWT has sponsored CKLB’s Saturday Request Show, and CKLB will be calling on guests to offer their supportive “Dear Fort Liard” messages to the community. The campaign has several components and the request show will kick off the week-long campaign soliciting supportive messages from across the territory. Activities planned include:

  • Cell phone video messages submitted by people across the territory to CKLB and shared to social media by both CKLB and the GNWT;
  • and an open voicemail message box at CKLB will be played on the radio throughout the week.

The GNWT will collaborate with Fort Liard’s community radio station to provide audio from the request show free-of-charge for those who may want to re-listen.

How to take part

  • To participate in the call-in show and send your “Dear Fort Liard” message while requesting your favourite song, call CKLB’s request line at 1-855-966-2552 between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday, January 23rd.
  • To submit your video of support, send the video file to dearfortliard@cklbradio.com between January 23rd and January 30th. It will be shared on CKLB’s social media pages.
  • To leave a voicemail message, call 1-855-966-2552 any time between January 23rd and January 30th.

Start your message with “Dear Fort Liard…”, and build your message of support from there.

Quotes

“It is important in crisis situations that people are not only informed, but that they’re also inspired to open their arms and support each other. By partnering with CKLB to reach audiences across the NWT, and encourage a chorus of support from fellow Northerners to our friends in Fort Liard, we hope to build solidarity at this crucial juncture of our pandemic response. ”

- Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

 

“Leadership is not a position or a title. It's about having the ability to guide others on the importance of working together to implement unity and safety during this difficult time.

On behalf of The Hamlet of Fort Liard I would like to thank everyone for the kind words as we continue to work through this together. Be kind to one another and stay safe.”

- Hilary Deneron, Mayor, Hamlet of Fort Liard

 

“We're amid a local crisis that's tested our faith in everything good; however we do believe our people and community will come through this with a strong resolve. We are appreciative of the quick response by the Government of Northwest Territories in supporting our membership and the community of Fort Liard. This situation brings to light the need for everyone to be good to one another, to remain calm, and come together and support each other. Acho Dene Koe First Nation remains committed to supporting its members and to cooperate with the Hamlet of Fort Liard as they oversee the emergency management plan locally. We are thankful to all the encouragement from all the communities in Northwest Territories and Indigenous governments across Canada who have provided their verbal support and offered well wishes. We express thanks to CKLB for providing the forum to bring all of us together during this time of uncertainty. Finally, we want to pass on well wishes to the families of our community who presently are the most impacted by the crisis. To all members and non-members living in Fort Liard we want to provide assurances that Acho Dene Koe First Nation is helping and will continue to assist you and your families. We are also committed to continue to support the Hamlet of Fort Liard if there are any needs of the municipality.

- Eugene Hope, Chief, Acho Dene Koe First Nation

 

“In times of crisis, Northerners have a unique ability to come together, providing support to one another through a friendly face or a listening ear, while showing kindness through all of our daily actions. Partnering with CKLB provides a wonderful opportunity to reach residents and show the community of Fort Liard that together we are committed to supporting your community as you navigate this challenging time. Remember, we are in this together.”

- Paulie Chinna, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

 

“CKLB continues to be a driving force in the Native Communications Society’s efforts to inform, entertain, and preserve Indigenous language, culture and tradition.  There is no greater calling for CKLB than to collaborate with the GNWT on ensuring the health and welfare of our valued listeners.  It is our pleasure to join forces with them on the “Dear Fort Liard Campaign” to ensure our friends and family in Fort Liard know that we all wish them the best as they succeed in conquering the COVID cluster.  Tune in to CKLB’s Saturday Request Show from 1 pm to 5 pm to offer your support, best wishes, and, of course, to request a song.”

-Rob Oullette, CEO, Native Communications Society

 

“The communities of the Nahendeh riding are small and residents can feel secluded from others - this makes connecting and supporting with one another especially important. I am proud of the community of Fort Liard for their commitment to keeping each other safe during this time and pleased to see this campaign roll out.”

-Shane Thompson, MLA for Nahendeh

 

Quick facts

  • The Dear Ford Liard Campaign will run from January 23rd through January 30th to coincide with the remaining containment order period in Fort Liard – and may be extended depending on the status of the cluster in Fort Liard.
  • Communications about the containment order, healthy habits to stay safe, and daily updates on the investigations are reaching Fort Liard in both English and Dene Zhati on CKLB and community radio.
  • Door-to-door outreach is being completed by a local Public Health Officer in both English and Dene Zhati with accompanying print materials.

Related links

 

Media Requests, please contact:

Mike Westwick

Manager, COVID-19 Communications

Health and Social Services

COVID-19 Coordinating Secretariat

Government of the Northwest Territories

Mike_Westwick@gov.nt.ca

867-688-0958