Leaders of Neskantaga First Nation are reaching out to provincial and federal authorities for assistance in establishing a new healthcare facility, 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 after a sewage leak incident at their sole nursing station. With fewer than 400 residents in the community, this latest crisis follows closely after more than 140 community members had returned from Toronto, where they were evacuated due to nearby wildfires.
The community had faced a similar situation last year when they were evacuated for three months due to flooding and fuel odor issues at the nursing station. Despite seeking support for a new healthcare facility at that time, Chief Gary Quisses mentioned that concrete assistance had not been provided. Neskantaga has been enduring a boil water advisory for 31 years, the longest ongoing advisory in Canada.
During a news conference at Queen’s Park, Chief Quisses, along with other Neskantaga leaders and Kiiwetinoong NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, highlighted the urgent need for improved healthcare services in the region. The existing nursing station, built in 1994, suffered significant damage from the recent sewage leak, necessitating a complete foundation replacement. Efforts to restore the facility are ongoing, with Indigenous Services Canada collaborating with the community in assessing the situation and planning the next steps.
NAN representatives visited Neskantaga to assess the situation and expressed concern over the challenges faced by the community. Kerry Black, a Canada Research Chair at the University of Calgary, emphasized the need for sustainable funding to address the water and wastewater crises in First Nations communities like Neskantaga.
The lack of clean drinking water and inadequate healthcare services continue to impact the residents, including children and families, leading to mental health concerns. Chief Quisses emphasized the urgent need for long-term solutions and proper infrastructure to address the persisting challenges faced by the community. Despite the ongoing struggles, he remains hopeful that the current situation will draw attention to the pressing needs of Neskantaga First Nation amid development initiatives in the region.