Maggie Beaudette

Resiliency and Hope

Photo by Sister Loretta Hagan, csj

August 13, 2023 was a typical Sunday morning. My plans for the day were to attend Mass at Assumption Parish in Hay River, NWT and then possibly travel down the highway to catch the last part of the music jamboree in the hamlet of Enterprise. That afternoon our lives would be changed, and our plans up-ended.

These are the words that began a blog I wrote on October 2, 2023, titled A Journey Through Wildfire Evacuation. I told my experience of the evacuation in Hay River, NWT (North West Territories) which lasted 5 weeks. The words that ended my blog are as follows,

We know that next spring there will be new growth, bright green amid the charred trees still standing and beautiful purple fireweed will bloom.

Well, spring has come, and summer 2024 has arrived, and the fireweed has grown and blossomed.

The journey did not end with the blog in October of last year. Little did I realize the deep, lasting effects of that Sunday afternoon in 2023. A strong wind, a certain colour in the sky, the smell of smoke, or smoke blowing in from distant fires, would cause anxiety. Tears would flow at the most unexpected times or circumstances. It did not matter in which direction I drove that I was not met with vast expanses of burnt trees. Tears would run down my cheeks as I drove.

Photo by Doug Swallow

And then, guilt set in. Why was I feeling this way when I had not lost my home as many had in Enterprise and in Patterson Road?  I did not experience the flames and falling trees as folks did who left, not much later, the one road out, compromised with debris. I was blessed to have been given a ride out, with my cat and a beautiful home to stay in, while others had only a hotel room with children and pets, in some instances.

Picture of the fireweed by Doug Swallow

On three separate occasions, three people who know me well suggested that perhaps I should see a counselor. In December I took their advice. It was the best decision I could have made. With guidance, I saw that I did lose something in the loss of the trees, in the displacement or perhaps death of some animals and their habitat. I was not able to help, as I would normally do in a crisis. My feelings were validated, and I was given strategies which would help me in times of anxiety or sadness.

Last week Sister Loretta and I drove along the back road to see the fireweed. Yes, that is what people were saying, “The fireweed has come”, as if it were a soothing salve. It gives me hope.

On Saturday we went down the highway to Enterprise. Approximately 90 % of homes and structures were destroyed in the fire, and yet the annual music jamboree was held. There was great joy in coming together as a community and yes, tears were shed as we remembered.

Today marks one year since the evacuation alert sounded. Today we see the gift of the fireweed…and resiliency and hope.

Sister Maggie Beaudette, CSJ

Photos: Doug Swallow, Sister Loretta Hagen

A Journey Through Wildfire Evacuation

August 13, 2023, was a typical Sunday morning. My plans for the day were to attend Mass at Assumption Parish, Hay River and then possibly travel down the highway to catch the last part of the music jamboree in the hamlet of Enterprise. That afternoon our lives would be changed, and our plans up-ended.

I returned from Mass but did not like the look of the sky, it was too yellow. After watching the Blue Jays baseball game, I noticed a ridge of grey clouds in the sky toward town. The ridge grew deeper, and I thought, ‘There is a fire in the sky.’ As I drove into town, vehicles were lined up at the first gas station and many vehicles were heading out of town. By the time I reached the second gas station, with more than 50 vehicles on either side of the pumps, a huge, ominous mushroom cloud had covered the whole town, black and grey. At that moment, the alert came across my phone to evacuate immediately. Having been in Fort Simpson for two days, I had only a quarter tank of gas, not enough to get very far.

Friends, Gertie and Don, “adopted” me and my cat Ts’udaa, and eventually we headed to High Level, Alberta. We would be there for five weeks. As an evacuee, I was blessed to be in a comfortable home, unlike others who fled with their campers or were in a hotel room in various cities and towns throughout Alberta and beyond.

All photos by Sister Maggie

We received daily updates from the Town of Hay River and from NWT Fire. Never have I been more interested and concerned about the direction of wind and its speed of gusts. I have learned so many terms related to firefighting such as duff, blacklining, breaching perimeters, and back-burning. An amazing fact is that when the smoke was too intense and thick that the water bombers and helicopters with buckets could not fly due to poor visibility, the smoke shielded the sun. As the sun was shielded, it allowed the air below to cool and the ground crews could make headway building the perimeters. At times the “duff”, which is the leaves, twigs, and vegetation on the forest floor that is “returned to Mother Earth”, was at times three feet deep. The bulldozers and crew with shovels removed the vegetation, water bombers soaked the area, and then planes dropped fire retardant. This was to build a protective perimeter around our town. When the fire advanced it would hopefully not breach the “blacklining” but extinguish itself. And it worked, thankfully!

When we received word, after 5 weeks, that it was safe to return home, we knew it would be an emotional drive. The small hamlet of Enterprise that had been celebrating a music jamboree that Sunday morning, was 85% gone, the small community/neighborhood of Patterson Road was completely gone, as we neared Hay River vast expanses of trees had burned. In other sections trees had intentionally been cut down to reduce the fuel to feed the advancing fire. There were still many hotspots and smoking embers.

That first night home after I had gone to bed, I noticed a brightness in the sky. Going to my window, I saw a small stream of Northern Lights. I picked up Ts’udaa and we stood on the front deck for several minutes. The sky was star-studded and there was a gentle stream of white lights. It was as if our Creator was saying, “Welcome home. All will be well.”

Pictured here, trees cut intentionally so as not to become fuel for fire.

The first week home I was very emotional and on guard. The look in the sky and the direction and strength of the wind caused me to be on guard. Helicopters continued to fly over my house carrying buckets of water to hotspots. I went to town in those early days of returning, and three sentences were spoken as we met each other; “Welcome home”. “How are you?” “Where were you?” We often spoke softly and hugged. Many emotions still too close to the surface.

As I met firefighters in town I would stop and thank them, tears welling up in my eyes. Their response was, “We are happy we could bring you home. It is what we do. It is a privilege, this work.” Several jurisdictions from Alberta sent pumper trucks and crew. Fire crews from many provinces and countries such as New Zealand and South Africa joined in the fight to save our town.

Still, after these days and weeks it is very emotional to recount the events of August 13 and the following days of evacuation and the drive home.

During evacuation, the many prayers, phone calls, texts and emails were a tremendous support, not only to me, but to the crews in their tireless efforts.

Although difficult amidst such trauma and devastation, it is important to realize that the life of the forest depends on fire, naturally. It is the heat of the fire that allows the cones to release their seeds so new growth can take place. We know that next spring there will be new growth, bright green amid the charred trees still standing and beautiful purple fireweed will bloom.

-Sister Maggie Beaudette, CSJ

The Return of the Eagle

Photo: Gary Viznioski. Gary is a nature photographer who often comes to my property to take photos, especially of birds

The month of March has arrived, and it is the time I begin to watch for the bald eagle’s return to Hay River. The earliest date I have seen one is March 9th and the latest has been March 28th. Although I hear from others that the eagle is back, I wait to see my first sighting. I live beside the Hay River, 10 km from town and 1 km off the highway. My location is away from traffic and provides a serene, peaceful atmosphere. I am blessed that the eagle sits in a tree in front of my deck, almost daily.

Ehndah cho

This week I visited with elder and former chief, Roy Fabian of Katl’odehche First Nations to talk about the eagle. The eagle is regarded with great respect. In speaking with Roy Fabian, he shared with me how his father, Edward Fabian spoke of the eagle. Roy’s father spoke of the reverence and respect for the eagle. Since the eagle can fly so high, higher than any other bird, it is close to God. The eagle flies beside heaven and therefore is very close to the Creator.

2 Bald Eagles in Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. Photo: Gary Viznioski.

My encounters with eagles have brought me joy, wonder, and awe. The drive from Yellowknife to Fort Providence takes approximately 3 hours. Along the way, there are many small lakes and large ponds on either side of the road. By the month of April, the ice on these bodies of water has started to thaw. The area of ice gradually decreases as it melts and is surrounded with water.

As I was driving home, I came to one of these small ponds. Driving past it, I noticed a most beautiful sight. Being a very sunny day, the snow was dazzling white, with the water reflecting the sky. Right in the middle of the ice sat a huge bald eagle. The eagle was sitting as if it were soaking in the warmth of the sun. I slowed down, backed up my vehicle to appreciate this sighting. After a prayer of thanksgiving to the Creator, I continued my way, grateful once again for the beauty of creation that surrounds me daily.

Builders and Providers

Photo: Gary Viznioski.

Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest each spring. On the “back road” in Hay River the eagles had a nest. Every spring I would visit the nest to see if the eagles had returned to it. Sometimes the nest needed a bit of repair after the winter. Then, the pair of eagles would be in or near the nest, soon sitting in the nest on eggs, and eventually, I would see one or two small heads in the nest with one parent. The other parent would be sitting in another tree keeping watch or sometimes flying to Great Slave Lake  that was nearby to catch a fish. I would visit the nest many times throughout the summer. If you have seen an eagle’s nest, have you wondered how they are made?

One winter the snowfall was very heavy and there was much wind. By the springtime, the nest had been destroyed by the elements of snow and wind. The eagles had returned and as I drove to the nest one Saturday morning, flying towards me, one of the eagles was carrying a very large stick, perfectly balanced in its talons. The eagle brought the huge stick to the top of the tree, which looked like a “Y” shape and manoeuvred the stick in place. This was the beginning of their new home. A few days later, on the side of the road was a large pile of twigs and small branches. I wondered at this. Did the eagles prepare this pile? As the building of the nest progressed with large sticks, the pile of twigs disappeared becoming filling in between the larger sticks.

Blessing and Gratitude

A few years ago, I was in a time of discernment regarding a possible change in ministry and living situation. After many months of discernment through prayer, guidance from a few individuals whom I trust and who know me well, the time was coming for an answer. I was conflicted with coming to a definite decision and I was aware of my deepest feelings about the situation. One of my “guides” suggested that I pray for clarity rather than for a definite answer.

Photo: Gary Viznioski.

It was late March and I had not yet seen an eagle, although I knew others in the community had seen them. My answer was needed by April 1st. As I sat in prayer, being open to a gift of clarity, I saw the eagle flying along the centre of the river. I was so grateful and thanked the Creator for its safe return. A few minutes later, the eagle turned and flew towards my house. There are three long, narrow windows in my living room which face the river. As the eagle flew closer, it was right at the middle window, flying over the house. This was most unusual. The eagle was huge and the white of its feathers were resplendent! It was as if it paused in flight before lifting over the house. A sense of awe and amazement filled me, but also a deep sense of “all will be well”.  What a gift, what a blessing!

“And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn…” As I sing these words from the song On Eagle’s Wings, they hold a deeper meaning for me as I remember the words of Roy’s father of the closeness of the eagle to the Creator as it flies beside heaven.

And so, as the month of March begins, I will be watching for the return of the eagles. As they return, I will know and be reminded of the faithfulness and care of the Creator for all creatures. I look forward with openness, anticipation, and expectation to be surprised with the lessons the eagle will teach me this season.

Mahsi, thank you Creator, for all the gifts You have given each of us. May we always walk humbly with respect, kindness, gratitude, and love for all of creation.

Sister Maggie Beaudette, csj

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A Grateful Heart - Blessings of Creation

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What a generous Creator we have and what fruits and blessings are ours from Mother Earth!

Autumn colours along the Hay River

We have been gifted in so many ways. As the Season of Creation ends, and we ready ourselves for Thanksgiving weekend, my heart is moved by all I have experienced, been taught, and so graciously been gifted.

During the past 34 years, living and working in the Diocese of Mackenzie – Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories, sharing life with many Indigenous brothers and sisters, I have come to grow in the spirit of generosity and thankfulness.

One of the valuable lessons I have been taught is to always be thankful and respectful to the Creator and Mother Earth for the gifts that have been given. The years I have lived in the fly-in community of Lutsel K’e, on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake and now, among the Dene at Katlodeeche First Nations in Hay River, I have become more aware and try to live in a spirit of gratitude. As my friend, Georgina reminds me, “We must always be thankful and say Mahsi and then give back to the land”. Often the gift of tobacco is offered.

I have learned to be aware and grateful for such gifts as safe passage on the lake and the river, the abundance of fish, many varieties of berries, sap dripping down the trunk of a spruce tree hardening to spruce gum, many plants with medicinal and healing qualities.

Haskaps, sheltered by their leaves

This past summer I experienced an opportunity to be grateful to Mother Earth for the gift of haskaps, a berry I had been introduced to a few years ago. My friend, Sheila, was thinning her bushes and gave me 5 or 6 saplings, rather scrawny looking ones. Although scrawny, their roots were tender but strong. I planted them and the saplings survived the first winter and then the next. In the third year the saplings had grown into a low bush and produced blossoms. Last summer a few berries appeared. This summer the bush produced abundantly.

Just enough haskaps for a recipe

The haskap bush produces fruit in the month of July. To look at my bush you would think it was only a lovely green shrub as the berries grow inside, under the leaves. In abundance, I picked every few days. It seemed like the bush never stopped giving. I picked just what was needed for the recipe I was following.

As I picked, I was very aware of my responsibility to be grateful for the berries that grew. I did not have tobacco to offer the land for her generous gift of the berries. I thought, “What gift can I give? What are my gifts that I can share in thanksgiving to the Creator for the generosity of these berries?”

I live beside the river, and I have been gifted with a beautiful singing voice. And so, I offered a song. I sang “By Cedars They Shall Stand”. I sang in thanksgiving not only for the berries but for the ways I am gifted each day.

-Sister Maggie Beaudette, CSJ

Earth Day 2022

In the scriptures, Jesus reminds us of the care of the Father for each of us, as well as, the birds and the flowers. (Matthew 6:26, Luke 12:27). We, in northern Canada, are so blessed with the beauty of creation.

Earth Day encompasses not only nature, but all aspects of our Mother Earth. Again, as we think and reflect on our life in the North, we are aware of how blessed we are to know and be in relationship with people from many countries of the world. We are indeed, interconnected and interrelated! And in times of hardship, sorrow, and sometimes utter disbelief, we turn, in unity to prayer.

In November 2018, I made a retreat called Boundless Compassion facilitated by Joyce Rupp. The setting was the beautiful Bowen Island, British Columbia. One of the days of the retreat was dedicated to Compassion for Creation. Joyce invited us to go for a walk and have a conversation with something in creation. In this conversation, we were encouraged to listen, more than speak. The following is what a tree stump shared with me.

November 28, 2018 Tree Stump tells me about herself:

This tree stump in my yard is a feeder for birds in winter and a garden in summer. Below, images from my surroundings.

“Well, at one time, I was one of the tall trees on the property. I could see far over the water. My branches would even touch my brothers and sisters. But there came a time that I needed to be cut down…and that is a story for another time. 

Did you know that the beautiful part of our life as trees, is that, although we lose our crowning glory of branches and foliage, we remain connected in and through our root system?

Now my role is quite different. Did you notice the tiny mushrooms growing on my side? I am somewhat of a nurse giving life. And ants come and burrow and carry off sawdust. I think the tinge of green lichen or moss gives a certain decorative beauty. I can still see the water and hear the birds and even now and then a seagull or black bird will rest on me. I am happy in my old age!”

Today I encourage you to have a conversation with Mother Earth. Remember to listen.

Creator of all living beings, we desire the restoration of the health of Mother Earth. As wise stewards of all that you have entrusted to us, we resolve to evaluate our lifestyle and patterns of consumption in order to make necessary changes. Provident God, we are partners with you. By the power of your Spirit, fill us with courage and conviction as we take responsible action to ensure the sustainability of our Earth. We pray in the name of Jesus who shows us the way. Amen.

(Adapted from “An Earth Day Prayer Service”)

Blessings, Sister Maggie Beaudette, CSJ