Ministering in the Northwest Territory of Behchoko
-
December 3, 2021The community of Behchoko is the largest First Nations community in the Northwest Territories, located near the North Arm of Great Slave Lake.
Behchoko was formally known as Rae-Edzo, the name was officially changed under the Tlicho agreement in 2005. Behchoko in the Tlicho language means, “Big Knife,” and it is comprised of three communities, Rae, Edzo and Frank Channel. The population is a little over two thousand and run by an independent Community Government.
Fr. Bill Bernard and I arrived in the Diocese of Mackenzie – Fort Smith on August 30th. After three days of orientation with Bishop Jon Hansen C.Ss.R and his team at the chancery, we arrived in Behchoko on Sept 4th. Fr. Bill will be ministering at the Parish of Our Lady of Providence in Fort Providence and I will be responsible for St. Michael’s in Behchoko and St. Peter’s in Wekweeti, formally known as Snake Lake, a community of about 100 people.
In early September the Covid-19 situation became a serious threat in the community. Thus we entered into containment and it lasted for two months. The local government put into place a blockade at the entrance into the hamlet. Only essential entering or leaving the community was permitted. They did an excellent job in containing the spread of the virus. Thank God on November 9th it ended.
For over two months we were only allowed to live-stream our Sunday Mass for the people. During this time I had nine funerals with only 10 people permitted into the Mass. The burial for each person is done by the family and community members (see picture at left). I took my turn at each funeral to help.
A funeral usually lasts about four hours from the time we gather at the church to the placing of the flowers on the grave after the burial is completed.
During the month of October we used facebook to live–stream the rosary. It was well received by the people. Behchoko is a very faith filled community, strong in their love of God and in their care for one another.
With the start of November we entered into the dark season with shortened daylight. We began with a celebration for All Souls on the 2nd. After the homily we held a candle light ceremony to honor the twenty-four members who died in the past year as well to honor those buried in our community cemetery. This celebration was also live-streamed for the community. Despite the challenges we faced as a community, as of last Friday, we are now COVID free (after reaching a high of nearly 400 cases).
On November 14th we were given an exemption for our first public Mass with 25 fully vaccinated people allowed to attend. I am happy to report that the NT Government has given us permission to have three weekend celebrations with fifty people able to attend. I am excited as we have a number of families waiting to baptize their children. And ready to welcome the Advent season and get busy planning our Christmas celebrations.
(Courtesy of Community Connections.)