Neskantaga First Nation hit another breaking point in its decades long water crisis. When an oily residue was discovered at the treatment plant, approximately 230 of the 460 residents were evacuated to Thunder Bay. Then, when hydrocarbons were discovered in the water, on October 24, Chief Moonias and the First Nation Council set the wheels in motion for a full evacuation.
The failing water treatment plant, expected to be fixed by 2019, had to shut down all of its water services to the community on October 19, including closing the school and nursing station.
The community has been on a boiled water advisory for over 25 years, which, according to Chief Moonias, has had devastating impacts on the mental health of community members.
Liberal MP Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary, Indigenous Services, indicated that finding a resolution to the water crisis is a top priority for the Federal government as it seeks to lift all boil-water advisories on reserves by next year. Meanwhile, on October 23, Prime Minister Trudeau reneged on his promise to bring an end to all water advisories by 2021, blaming the delay on the pandemic.
Chief Moonias put forward various demands to the government before community members would be brought back to the community, including:
- fixes to the water distribution system to assure 24/7 access to running water
- repairs to water-related hardware in homes,
- the installation of two mobile membrane water treatment units, and
- a system-wide review of the plan to end the drinking water advisory
October 20, 2020 (CBC):
‘Please help us!’: Evacuation of elderly, latest in decades-long water crisis in Neskantaga First Nation
Remote community with longest-standing boil water advisory in Canada discovers new problem
“Neskantaga First Nation, home to Canada’s longest standing boil water advisory, is facing a new water crisis prompting the evacuation of vulnerable residents from the community. The remote First Nation in northwestern Ontario has been without safe drinking water for 26 years. A new water plant was expected to be up and running in 2019, but has faced on-going problems and is not yet fully functioning. Chief Chris Moonias said this week an “oily sheen” was discovered on the surface of the water in the reservoir, resulting in the complete shut-down of all water services in the community on Oct. 19.” Read more here…
October 20, 2020 (The Peak FM):
‘Deeply frustrated’: 60 evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation over water crisis
“A First Nation community in northwestern Ontario that has been under a boil water advisory for more than 25 years says it is evacuating some of its members after a new issue with its water supply was discovered. In a tweet just before 5 p.m. ET, Neskantaga First Nation Chief Chris Moonias said it is “disheartening and sad” that he has had to evacuate the elderly, infants, chronically ill and vulnerable people from the community for a second time during his tenure.” Read more here…
October 21, 2020 (CBC):
3 days without water dehumanizing for residents of Neskantaga First Nation, chief says
Up to 175 evacuees from remote First Nation in northern Ontario expected in Thunder Bay
“Residents of Neskantaga First Nation are starting their third day without being able to have a shower or flush the toilet after the water plant was shut down on Monday, and the chief says he cannot see an end to more than 25 years of water problems in the remote community, about 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont. Chief Chris Moonias said more than 50 people were evacuated from Neskantaga Tuesday with about 125 more elderly, infants and people with chronic health conditions expected to fly out to Thunder Bay Wednesday. Moonias said he had not received adequate help from either level of government to deal with the immediate crisis.” Read more here…
October 21, 2020 (APTN):
Hundreds evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation over ongoing water problems
Federal government says it’s helping through emergency management plan
“The chief of Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario says hundreds of people are being evacuated from the community due to a water crisis. Chief Christopher Moonias says an oily sheen was discovered in the Neskantaga water reservoir earlier this week. He says the community has identified 175 vulnerable residents who need to leave, out of an on-reserve population of about 460. However, he says many others have requested evacuation or left on their own because of the situation.” Read more here…
October 22, 2020 (Global News):
Neskantaga First Nation as chief calls for permanent fix to end water crisis
“The Chief of Neskantaga First Nation, which has been under a boil-water advisory for 25 years, is calling for a complete “overhaul” of its water distribution system after more than 200 residents were evacuated from the community over another water crisis. Chief Chris Moonias said elders, children, infants and people with chronic health conditions were flown out of the community to Thunder Bay, Ont., after an oily substance appeared on the surface of their water reservoir, resulting in a water shutdown that closed the school and nursing station. He said that the federal government needs to work with the community to find a permanent solution to the water issues affecting the community for nearly three decades.” Read more here…
October 22, 2020 (CBC):
Indigenous Services moves to end water crisis in Neskantaga First Nation ‘as quickly as possible’
After 25 years without safe drinking water, Neskantaga First Nation now has no drinking water at all.
“The federal government is moving to support people displaced by a water crisis in a remote First Nation in northwestern Ontario and is working to end the 25-year boil water advisory “as quickly as possible,” says Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller. About 200 people were evacuated from Neskantaga earlier this week after the water plant was shut down after an unknown substance was found in the reservoir. That left the community of 300 people without any running water at all. It has been more than 25 years since the First Nation had tap water that is safe to drink.
“No water to bathe. No water to flush toilets. No water servicing homes, the nursing station, the band office, the school,” Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday afternoon.” Read more here…
October 22, 2020 (Global News):
Neskantaga chief describes emotional toll of water crisis on community members: VIDEO
“Chief Chris Moonias said the water crisis is having a devastating toll on the mental health of community members”. Watch here…
October 23, 2020 (Net News Ledger):
Neskantaga update: Evacuees in Thunder Bay
““Disheartening and sad that I have to evacuate the elderly, infants, chronic and the most vulnerable people due to water issues twice during my short term as Chief especially now during COVID-19 scare,” states Chief Chris Moonias. Neskantaga has an oily substance on the water which has caused the water plant to shut down. This is the latest problem for the beleaguered community where the residents have lived under a boil water advisory since 1995. The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has requested that Thunder Bay serve as a host community for the First Nation’s vulnerable population, including children, elders and families that have already evacuated to Thunder Bay.” Read more here…
October 23, 2020 (The Globe and Mail):
Liberal MP says ‘Ottawa will not rest’ until Neskantaga First Nation has clean water
“Though the Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario has been under a boil-water advisory for 25 years and is evacuating residents due to new suspected contamination that boiling might not address, Liberal MP Pam Damoff says fixing the situation is a top priority for the government as it seeks to lift all boil-water advisories on reserves by next year.” Watch here…
October 23, 2020 (Huffington Post):
Trudeau rolls back vow to end First Nations boil water advisories by 2021
Neskantaga First Nation has been under a boil water advisory for 25 years
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked back a promise to lift all on-reserve boil-water advisories by 2021 on Friday, as the First Nation with Canada’s longest-standing drinking water advisory learned it needs to wait for more tests before it can turn the taps back on. Trudeau’s comments came when he was asked about the situation in Neskantaga First Nation, where an unknown contaminant in the water prompted officials to shut off the pipes earlier this week, leaving the community without running water and forcing a partial evacuation.” Read more here…
October 24, 2020 (Global News):
Chief says Neskantaga First Nation to fully evacuate amid tainted water results
“The chief of a First Nation in a remote part of northwestern Ontario says he’s moving to a full evacuation after test results showed high levels of hydrocarbons in the water supply. Chief Chris Moonias says in a social media post that he’s asking the provincial and federal governments to support the decision to clear out Neskantaga First Nation.” Read more here…
October 24, 2020 (Kenora Online):
Water crisis causes evacuations in Neskantaga
“Chief and Council of Neskantaga First Nation are evacuating vulnerable community members after an unknown substance was found in their water plant and reservoir. The ‘oily sheen’ in the water system has caused a complete shut down of the community’s water treatment plant while testing is being conducted. Results of the tests are expected to take roughly 10 days. Problems in the water system began earlier this month, when leaks prevented the reservoir from filling completely, and water service was shut off at night to conserve water. Roughly 200 people from the community have been evacuated and are staying in a Thunder Bay hotel, and more evacuations are expected.” Read more here…
October 24, 2020 (RMO Outlook):
Chief of Neskantaga First Nation scales up evacuation amid tainted water crisis
“The chief of a First Nation in a remote part of northwestern Ontario says he’s moving to a full evacuation after test results showed high levels of hydrocarbons in the water supply. Chief Chris Moonias says in a social media post that he’s asking the provincial and federal governments to support the decision to clear out Neskantaga First Nation.” Read more here…
October 25, 2020 (CTV News):
All families, children evacuated as Neskantaga First Nation faces new water crisis, chief says
“The chief of a northwestern Ontario First Nation says all families and children have been evacuated from the community, just days after an oily sheen was discovered in the Neskantaga water reservoir. Neskantaga First Nation Chief Christopher Moonias made the announcement in a social media post late Saturday night, adding that 24 people remain on the ground to look after the community. Those who fled the community were brought to Thunder Bay, Ont., more than 400 kilometres away.” Read more here…
October 26, 2020 (CBC):
Few left behind in Neskantaga First Nation prepare for winter without water
Dogs must be fed, vacant houses heated after hundreds of evacuees are moved to Thunder Bay, Ont
“A week after the water stopped flowing into homes in Neskantaga First Nation, 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., a handful of residents remain behind to keep houses safe and prepare for the eventual return of the evacuees. Indigenous Services Canada promised last week to support any member who chose to leave after the community’s water was shut down when an oily substance was found in the reservoir on Oct. 19. Tests later showed the water was contaminated with hydrocarbon. The chief issued a “do not consume order.” The community had already been under a boil water advisory for more than 25 years.” Read more here…
October 26, 2020 (CBC):
‘This is not the country you believe it is’: Neskantaga First Nation chief says amid water crisis: RADIO EPISODE
Water shutdown in Northern Ontario Ojibway community has forced families to flee
“If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were to visit Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario, where there is no running water, he would see citizens “in his backyard” living in Third-world conditions, says the community’s chief. “It should say a lot,” Chief Chris Moonias told The Current‘s Matt Galloway. “It should say to … Canadians that, you know, this is not the country you believe it is.”
Home to Canada’s longest standing boil-water advisory, Neskantaga First Nation has been without safe drinking water for more than 25 years. Last week, a new crisis emerged in the Ojibway community of about 300 people when an “oily sheen” was discovered on water in the local reservoir.” Listen here…
October 26, 2020 (CBC):
Neskantaga First Nation to evacuate during water crisis: VIDEO
“Officials say water from Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario has high levels of hydrocarbons. After days without any running water, Chief Chris Moonias has called for everyone to evacuate the community.” Watch here…
October 26, 2020 (CKDR Dryden):
Boil water advisories called a ‘national shame’
“The Trudeau government promises it is working to end the boil water advisory in Neskantaga First Nation. That advisory has been in place for 25 years and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland admits it is not something to be proud of. “We all understand the boil water advisories are a national tragedy and a national shame. Our government is working earnestly to get those boil water advisories lifted,” explains Freeland.” Read more here…
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Neskantaga First Nation hit another breaking point in its decades long water crisis. When an oily residue was discovered at the treatment plant, approximately 230 of the 460 residents were evacuated to Thunder Bay. Then, when hydrocarbons were discovered in the water, on October 24, Chief Moonias and the First Nation Council set the wheels in motion for a full evacuation.
The failing water treatment plant, expected to be fixed by 2019, had to shut down all of its water services to the community on October 19, including closing the school and nursing station.
The community has been on a boiled water advisory for over 25 years, which, according to Chief Moonias, has had devastating impacts on the mental health of community members.
Liberal MP Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary, Indigenous Services, indicated that finding a resolution to the water crisis is a top priority for the Federal government as it seeks to lift all boil-water advisories on reserves by next year. Meanwhile, on October 23, Prime Minister Trudeau reneged on his promise to bring an end to all water advisories by 2021, blaming the delay on the pandemic.
Chief Moonias put forward various demands to the government before community members would be brought back to the community, including:
October 20, 2020 (CBC):
‘Please help us!’: Evacuation of elderly, latest in decades-long water crisis in Neskantaga First Nation
Remote community with longest-standing boil water advisory in Canada discovers new problem
“Neskantaga First Nation, home to Canada’s longest standing boil water advisory, is facing a new water crisis prompting the evacuation of vulnerable residents from the community. The remote First Nation in northwestern Ontario has been without safe drinking water for 26 years. A new water plant was expected to be up and running in 2019, but has faced on-going problems and is not yet fully functioning. Chief Chris Moonias said this week an “oily sheen” was discovered on the surface of the water in the reservoir, resulting in the complete shut-down of all water services in the community on Oct. 19.” Read more here…
October 20, 2020 (The Peak FM):
‘Deeply frustrated’: 60 evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation over water crisis
“A First Nation community in northwestern Ontario that has been under a boil water advisory for more than 25 years says it is evacuating some of its members after a new issue with its water supply was discovered. In a tweet just before 5 p.m. ET, Neskantaga First Nation Chief Chris Moonias said it is “disheartening and sad” that he has had to evacuate the elderly, infants, chronically ill and vulnerable people from the community for a second time during his tenure.” Read more here…
October 21, 2020 (CBC):
3 days without water dehumanizing for residents of Neskantaga First Nation, chief says
Up to 175 evacuees from remote First Nation in northern Ontario expected in Thunder Bay
“Residents of Neskantaga First Nation are starting their third day without being able to have a shower or flush the toilet after the water plant was shut down on Monday, and the chief says he cannot see an end to more than 25 years of water problems in the remote community, about 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont. Chief Chris Moonias said more than 50 people were evacuated from Neskantaga Tuesday with about 125 more elderly, infants and people with chronic health conditions expected to fly out to Thunder Bay Wednesday. Moonias said he had not received adequate help from either level of government to deal with the immediate crisis.” Read more here…
October 21, 2020 (APTN):
Hundreds evacuated from Neskantaga First Nation over ongoing water problems
Federal government says it’s helping through emergency management plan
“The chief of Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario says hundreds of people are being evacuated from the community due to a water crisis. Chief Christopher Moonias says an oily sheen was discovered in the Neskantaga water reservoir earlier this week. He says the community has identified 175 vulnerable residents who need to leave, out of an on-reserve population of about 460. However, he says many others have requested evacuation or left on their own because of the situation.” Read more here…
October 22, 2020 (Global News):
Neskantaga First Nation as chief calls for permanent fix to end water crisis
“The Chief of Neskantaga First Nation, which has been under a boil-water advisory for 25 years, is calling for a complete “overhaul” of its water distribution system after more than 200 residents were evacuated from the community over another water crisis. Chief Chris Moonias said elders, children, infants and people with chronic health conditions were flown out of the community to Thunder Bay, Ont., after an oily substance appeared on the surface of their water reservoir, resulting in a water shutdown that closed the school and nursing station. He said that the federal government needs to work with the community to find a permanent solution to the water issues affecting the community for nearly three decades.” Read more here…
October 22, 2020 (CBC):
Indigenous Services moves to end water crisis in Neskantaga First Nation ‘as quickly as possible’
After 25 years without safe drinking water, Neskantaga First Nation now has no drinking water at all.
“The federal government is moving to support people displaced by a water crisis in a remote First Nation in northwestern Ontario and is working to end the 25-year boil water advisory “as quickly as possible,” says Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller. About 200 people were evacuated from Neskantaga earlier this week after the water plant was shut down after an unknown substance was found in the reservoir. That left the community of 300 people without any running water at all. It has been more than 25 years since the First Nation had tap water that is safe to drink.
“No water to bathe. No water to flush toilets. No water servicing homes, the nursing station, the band office, the school,” Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday afternoon.” Read more here…
October 22, 2020 (Global News):
Neskantaga chief describes emotional toll of water crisis on community members: VIDEO
“Chief Chris Moonias said the water crisis is having a devastating toll on the mental health of community members”. Watch here…
October 23, 2020 (Net News Ledger):
Neskantaga update: Evacuees in Thunder Bay
““Disheartening and sad that I have to evacuate the elderly, infants, chronic and the most vulnerable people due to water issues twice during my short term as Chief especially now during COVID-19 scare,” states Chief Chris Moonias. Neskantaga has an oily substance on the water which has caused the water plant to shut down. This is the latest problem for the beleaguered community where the residents have lived under a boil water advisory since 1995. The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has requested that Thunder Bay serve as a host community for the First Nation’s vulnerable population, including children, elders and families that have already evacuated to Thunder Bay.” Read more here…
October 23, 2020 (The Globe and Mail):
Liberal MP says ‘Ottawa will not rest’ until Neskantaga First Nation has clean water
“Though the Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario has been under a boil-water advisory for 25 years and is evacuating residents due to new suspected contamination that boiling might not address, Liberal MP Pam Damoff says fixing the situation is a top priority for the government as it seeks to lift all boil-water advisories on reserves by next year.” Watch here…
October 23, 2020 (Huffington Post):
Trudeau rolls back vow to end First Nations boil water advisories by 2021
Neskantaga First Nation has been under a boil water advisory for 25 years
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked back a promise to lift all on-reserve boil-water advisories by 2021 on Friday, as the First Nation with Canada’s longest-standing drinking water advisory learned it needs to wait for more tests before it can turn the taps back on. Trudeau’s comments came when he was asked about the situation in Neskantaga First Nation, where an unknown contaminant in the water prompted officials to shut off the pipes earlier this week, leaving the community without running water and forcing a partial evacuation.” Read more here…
October 24, 2020 (Global News):
Chief says Neskantaga First Nation to fully evacuate amid tainted water results
“The chief of a First Nation in a remote part of northwestern Ontario says he’s moving to a full evacuation after test results showed high levels of hydrocarbons in the water supply. Chief Chris Moonias says in a social media post that he’s asking the provincial and federal governments to support the decision to clear out Neskantaga First Nation.” Read more here…
October 24, 2020 (Kenora Online):
Water crisis causes evacuations in Neskantaga
“Chief and Council of Neskantaga First Nation are evacuating vulnerable community members after an unknown substance was found in their water plant and reservoir. The ‘oily sheen’ in the water system has caused a complete shut down of the community’s water treatment plant while testing is being conducted. Results of the tests are expected to take roughly 10 days. Problems in the water system began earlier this month, when leaks prevented the reservoir from filling completely, and water service was shut off at night to conserve water. Roughly 200 people from the community have been evacuated and are staying in a Thunder Bay hotel, and more evacuations are expected.” Read more here…
October 24, 2020 (RMO Outlook):
Chief of Neskantaga First Nation scales up evacuation amid tainted water crisis
“The chief of a First Nation in a remote part of northwestern Ontario says he’s moving to a full evacuation after test results showed high levels of hydrocarbons in the water supply. Chief Chris Moonias says in a social media post that he’s asking the provincial and federal governments to support the decision to clear out Neskantaga First Nation.” Read more here…
October 25, 2020 (CTV News):
All families, children evacuated as Neskantaga First Nation faces new water crisis, chief says
“The chief of a northwestern Ontario First Nation says all families and children have been evacuated from the community, just days after an oily sheen was discovered in the Neskantaga water reservoir. Neskantaga First Nation Chief Christopher Moonias made the announcement in a social media post late Saturday night, adding that 24 people remain on the ground to look after the community. Those who fled the community were brought to Thunder Bay, Ont., more than 400 kilometres away.” Read more here…
October 26, 2020 (CBC):
Few left behind in Neskantaga First Nation prepare for winter without water
Dogs must be fed, vacant houses heated after hundreds of evacuees are moved to Thunder Bay, Ont
“A week after the water stopped flowing into homes in Neskantaga First Nation, 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., a handful of residents remain behind to keep houses safe and prepare for the eventual return of the evacuees. Indigenous Services Canada promised last week to support any member who chose to leave after the community’s water was shut down when an oily substance was found in the reservoir on Oct. 19. Tests later showed the water was contaminated with hydrocarbon. The chief issued a “do not consume order.” The community had already been under a boil water advisory for more than 25 years.” Read more here…
October 26, 2020 (CBC):
‘This is not the country you believe it is’: Neskantaga First Nation chief says amid water crisis: RADIO EPISODE
Water shutdown in Northern Ontario Ojibway community has forced families to flee
“If Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were to visit Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario, where there is no running water, he would see citizens “in his backyard” living in Third-world conditions, says the community’s chief. “It should say a lot,” Chief Chris Moonias told The Current‘s Matt Galloway. “It should say to … Canadians that, you know, this is not the country you believe it is.”
Home to Canada’s longest standing boil-water advisory, Neskantaga First Nation has been without safe drinking water for more than 25 years. Last week, a new crisis emerged in the Ojibway community of about 300 people when an “oily sheen” was discovered on water in the local reservoir.” Listen here…
October 26, 2020 (CBC):
Neskantaga First Nation to evacuate during water crisis: VIDEO
“Officials say water from Neskantaga First Nation in northern Ontario has high levels of hydrocarbons. After days without any running water, Chief Chris Moonias has called for everyone to evacuate the community.” Watch here…
October 26, 2020 (CKDR Dryden):
Boil water advisories called a ‘national shame’
“The Trudeau government promises it is working to end the boil water advisory in Neskantaga First Nation. That advisory has been in place for 25 years and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland admits it is not something to be proud of. “We all understand the boil water advisories are a national tragedy and a national shame. Our government is working earnestly to get those boil water advisories lifted,” explains Freeland.” Read more here…
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