Authorities in Neskantaga First Nation are actively seeking assistance from provincial and federal governments to address the urgent need for a new healthcare facility. This appeal comes as the community’s most vulnerable members face their second evacuation this summer.
The remote Ojibway community, located approximately 440 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario, declared a state of emergency on August 4 due to a sewage leak at the community’s sole nursing station. With less than 400 residents in the First Nation, the situation is critical.
This incident occurred just five days after over 140 community members had returned from Toronto following an evacuation caused by nearby wildfires.
Last year, the community faced a three-month evacuation due to a flood and fuel odor at the nursing station. Despite requesting support for a new healthcare facility at that time, Chief Gary Quisses stated that they have not received a definitive response.
Neskantaga has been under a boil water advisory for an astonishing 31 years, marking the longest-standing advisory in Canada.
During a news conference at Queen’s Park, Neskantaga leaders, including Kiiwetinoong NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, highlighted the pressing need for improved healthcare services in the region.
The community’s nursing station, which was established in 1994, has been temporarily replaced following the recent sewage leak. However, Chief Quisses emphasized that the temporary setup can only offer basic medical services, underscoring the inadequate healthcare situation.
Indigenous Services Canada has been on-site to assess the health facility’s condition and discuss the necessary steps for restoration. However, there is no set timeline for the nursing station’s full restoration as assessments and discussions with Neskantaga leadership are ongoing.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation representatives also visited Neskantaga to evaluate the challenges faced by the community. Grand Chief Fiddler expressed concerns about the impact on community members, especially the children, due to the ongoing crisis.
Kerry Black, an expert in water and wastewater issues, highlighted the need for sustainable funding directly allocated to First Nations to address long-standing infrastructure problems. She emphasized the importance of empowering communities to maintain their infrastructure and develop solutions.
Charla Moonias, a child and family services prevention worker for Neskantaga, emphasized the continued struggles faced by the community, including inadequate healthcare and infrastructure challenges.
Chief Quisses stressed the need for immediate attention to the community’s dire healthcare and infrastructure situation, emphasizing the challenges faced by residents, especially during the current evacuation.
