Two First Nations in northwestern Ontario are finally able to drink from their taps as they celebrated lifting long-term boil water advisories this week. But Turtle says he is now looking to secure safe water for future generations. SNOWFALL WARNING ... 01 October 2020 04:16 Written by Mike Aiken. Skead said in a release, "today is first a celebration for the citizens of our First Nation who will finally have safe drinking water after being on a boil water order for over 3 years. Indigenous Services Canada website lists three long-term boil water advisories for the First Nation, two of which are still listed as being in effect since 2012 and 2017, respectively. Grassy Narrows Chief Says Federal Funds To Fix Water Crisis 'Not Flowing' A human rights watchdog released a report calling on Canada to give First Nations equal rights to clean drinking water. Grassy Narrows’ fight for clean water is a struggle for environmental justice By David Suzuki with contributions from Ontario and Northern Canada Director Faisal Moola. One person lives in the Rainy River District, and the other two people have primary residences…, "Now is the time to act," is the message coming from Dr. The community had been dealing with three boil water advisories, with some unable to use drinking water for seven years. A June Grassy Narrows. Grassy Narrows is an Ojibway First Nation band government who inhabit northern. The Trudeau government has promised to end drinking water advisories in over 100 First Nations by 2021, but the solutions so far have stopped at short-term, Band-Aid fixes. They migrated northward and westward during the late 17th and early 18th centuries in search of animals to supply the fur trade. The Grassy Narrows First Nation is now demanding a full clean up of the site, saying “No more fancy talk, no more studies. Turtle said the three separate public water systems in the First Nation were merged into one system in December 2019. Another report from 2011 noted the presence of uranium in well water, which doesn't meet provincial health guidelines. So while the main reaction from residents of the First Nation has been "positive," Grassy Narrows Chief Rudy Turtle said, "some of the comments we're getting [are] people saying…finally. The federal government’s response underscores the severity of the water crisis, which extends far beyond Grassy Narrows. The project cost a total of $14.6 million, with the federal government contributing the majority of the funding to make it happen. Out of respect for the…, Whitedog First Nation is looking forward to implementing their own customary care code for child welfare. Then, after months of work and the installation of new equipment in the existing plant, he received a letter from Health Canada saying that the water was safe for human consumption. One day later, the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation celebrated the end of their long-term boil water advisory at the completion of the $14-million project to connect the community to the city of Kenora's water and sewer system. Grassy Narrows First Nation received a settlement in 1985 from the Government of Canada and the Reed Paper Company that bought-out the Dryden Pulp and Paper Company and its sister-company Dryden Chemical Company. Some had been without clean drinking water since 2013. For almost 50 years, the people of Grassy Narrows have fought to make the government aware of their crisis. The Wabigoon River has been sacred to the people of Grassy Narrows for generations. The First Nation declared a state of emergency in August 2015 after they did not receive answers from the federal government to questions about the safety of their water. Residents of Grassy Narrows and Wauzhushk Onigum First Nations, both located in northwestern Ontario, are finally able to drink from their taps as they celebrated lifting long-term boil water advisories this week. Among the instructive parallels that Jing Jun makes in his portrayal of trauma in a Gansu village under Maoism is the wretched fate of a First Nation community in Grassy Narrows, northwestern Ontario—as detailed harrowingly in Anastasia M. Shkilnyk, A poison stronger than love: the destruction of an Ojibwa community (1985, with an introduction by Kai… The fur trade shifted this practice toward trapping smaller animals and trading their furs. You'll…, The Northwestern Health Unit has reported one new case of COVID-19 in the Kenora region. Kenora in Ontario, Canada. Star Exclusive. The youth of Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows) First Nation are demanding the Canadian government keep its promises to finally address the mercury crisis in their community. Negotiations about bringing clean water to the First Nation began between the two communities in September 2018. Community members in Grassy Narrows First Nation, also known as Asubpeeschoseewagong, received a letter from Chief Rudy Turtle on September 29 which read: "As of TODAY the boil water advisory is NOW lifted. Grassy Narrows toxic tap water not fixed by boiling, expert says, Grassy Narrows First Nation declares emergency over bad water, Federal government announces $7.2M for safe drinking water in Wauzhushk Onigum. A drinking water advisory in Little Saskatchewan First Nation (Manitoba) on a well that serves the band office became long-term on September 26, 2020, after being in place for more than 12 months. Their landbase is the 4145 ha English. River 21 Indian Reserve. Grassy Narrows members don't have to use bottled water anymore. Advocates for the community say it remains one of Canada's worst examples of the effects of legacy pollution. All Rights Reserved. ", He added, "it is also the celebration of a partnership with the City of Kenora that has been discussed for many years.". This means you can safely consume the tap water.". A letter from Chief Rudy Turtle says tap water is safe to use again. A letter from Chief Rudy Turtle says tap water is safe to use again. But I don't blame them because they've been on this advisory for so long that it's kind of, you know, it's unbelievable that they could finally drink it.". “I am a believer of honesty and I believe in praying. Water Canada has provided ongoing coverage of Grassy Narrows’ struggle to remediate their watershed and gain recognition and support from government and public institutions with respect to their crisis. © 2020 Golden West Broadcasting. Fobister was commenting on the release of Ontario's new forestry strategy Thursday. Grassy Narrows members don't have to use bottled water anymore. The In addition to protesting their government, the community turned to more traditional means as well. An agreement to connect Wauzhushk Onigum's water and sewer system with that of Kenora was not reached until June 2020, with the completion of construction taking place in September 2020. Approximately 36 per cent of the advisories had been in place for more than 10 years, and in some cases more than 20. Boil water advisory lifted in Grassy. December 6, 2020 04:05 AM. Meanwhile, Chief Chris Skead of the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation celebrated the fruition of a partnership with the city of Kenora that was several years in the works. Grassy Narrows leaders marched alongside hundreds of supporters through downtown Toronto to demand action amid the ongoing mercury poisoning crisis in the northern Ontario First Nation. Grassy Narrows is located about 100 kilometres northeast of Kenora. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. In addition, large patrilineal clans divide… Grassy Narrows elder: ‘When you have mercury you have it for life’ – Dec 3, 2019 Bowater, which eventually became Resolute, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009. "I'm happy. Ancestors of the northern Ojibwe are thought to have originally inhabited the north shore of the upper Great Lakes. Grassy Narrows Water Crisis Kiera, Robyn, Ashley, Christiana About Grassy Narrows Where Is Grassy Narrows? “This is about reminding people how important water is, especially in a time of destruction and environmental crisis,” said Chrissy Swain, a mother from Grassy Narrows and spokesperson for the group, speaking about being at Keys Lake today. But it's truly, truly good that now they can just turn to the water taps.". The third is listed as being resolved in 2017. Jianne Turtle, 13, daughter of Grassy Narrows Chief Rudy Turtle, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “should keep his promise” to address the mercury crisis. December 27, 2019. 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