The Chief of Landsdowne House in northern Ontario is calling on Indigenous Services Canada to provide immediate support and solutions to a water crisis.
Chris Moonias says the community has been forced to completely shutdown water going into homes.
Officials discovered an unknown sheen in the water reservoir system and officials are awaiting test results.
The Neskantaga Water Plant is no longer operational and the remote community has been forced to evacuate elders, infants and the most vulnerable.
Moonias says the situation is disheartening and dehumanizing.
It’s a problem all too familiar for residents of the remote First Nation.
An elevated State of Emergency was issued over a year ago after the community water pump and back-up pumps broke down.
A boil water advisory has also been in place for the past 25 years.
Moonias notes Neskantaga requires portable showers, portable water heaters, wet wipes and other hygienic and sanitary supplies during the water crisis but stresses community members can’t engage in meaningful discussions due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Meantime, the MPP for Kiiwetinoong is calling on the provincial government to make every effort to support residents of Landsdowne House.
Sol Mamakwa says Premier Ford must ensure the government helps those who need immediate assistance.
Mamakwa says this wouldn’t be allowed to happen to non-First Nations communities and questions what it will take for Ontario to take action.
The Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Critic says losing running water to the entire community during the pandemic is a disaster, and can put the lives of residents at risk.
Mamakwa notes all services have been shut down, including health and schools.
He adds it’s time for the government to solve the issue once and for all.
(Picture Credit: @MatawaFNM)
This was sent to me by a very emotional grandfather of this little boy named Braydon asking all the time why he can’t use the water all his life. The grandfather broke down because he couldn’t answer his grandson 😢 pic.twitter.com/MpvHhIPJQk
— Chris Moonias (@can_ndn) October 21, 2020
