Leaders in Neskantaga First Nation are requesting assistance from provincial and federal authorities for a new healthcare facility as 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 a population of fewer than 400 residents, the incident occurred shortly after over 140 community members had returned from Toronto following an evacuation prompted by nearby wildfires.
Chief Gary Quisses mentioned that last year, the community was evacuated for three months due to a flood and fuel odor at the nursing station, during which they had requested support for a new healthcare facility but did not receive a definitive response. Neskantaga has been under a boil water advisory for 31 years, the longest in Canada.
During a news conference at Queen’s Park, Quisses, and other Neskantaga leaders, joined by Kiiwetinoong NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, addressed the pressing need for improved healthcare services in the area. Mamakwa emphasized the critical role of existing healthcare services, such as the nursing station in Neskantaga, and expressed concerns about the neglect of local needs amidst resource-focused activities in traditional territories.
The current nursing station in Neskantaga, built in 1994, was temporarily replaced after the August 4 incident but can only offer basic medical services. According to Quisses, the community’s healthcare services are inadequate at present. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is collaborating with the First Nation’s contractor to assess the situation at the health facility and plan for its restoration. However, there is no definitive timeline for this restoration as discussions with Neskantaga’s leadership are ongoing.
Kerry Black, an associate professor specializing in water and wastewater issues in First Nations at the University of Calgary, highlighted the persistent challenges faced by Neskantaga, exacerbated by the prolonged lack of clean drinking water. Black emphasized the need for sustainable funding directly allocated to First Nations to empower communities to maintain their infrastructure.
Charla Moonias, a child and family services prevention worker for Neskantaga, spoke about the ongoing infrastructure failures in the community and highlighted the impact on mental health, particularly among the youth. Quisses emphasized the need for sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare and infrastructure in their community.
As efforts continue to assess and address the challenges at the nursing station, Quisses hopes that the situation will draw attention to the critical conditions faced by Neskantaga, especially in the context of development initiatives in the region. The lack of adequate healthcare infrastructure in the community underscores the pressing need for sustainable solutions to address long-standing issues.