Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 25, 2005 14:08:21 GMT -5
October 19, 2005
A Community in Crisis: National Chief Calls for Urgent Action on Unsafe Drinking Water in Kashechewan First Nation
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine today called for immediate action by the federal government on the water crisis in Kashechewan, a remote First Nation community in northern Ontario. There has been no action by the federal government even though the community has been under a boil water advisory since 2003. The situation is so bad that community members are calling for an immediate evacuation.
“Kashechewan is in an emergency situation,” said National Chief Fontaine. “I have already spoken with Kashechewan Chief Leo Friday and, based on that discussion, I am today contacting the federal Ministers of Indian Affairs and Health to set-up an immediate meeting so we can take action on this deplorable situation. The first step is to deal with the crisis in Kashechewan. Then we must map-out a comprehensive plan to address this issue on a national basis because this situation occurs in far too many First Nations communities in Canada.”
Currently, over 100 First Nation communities must boil their drinking water. Health Canada indicates that more than half of those communities are located in rural and remote locations in Ontario. Indian and Northern Affairs identified that over one quarter of the water treatment systems in First Nations communities remain at high risk to contamination. A report by the Office of the Auditor General issued less than one month ago (September 29) concluded that the federal government’s unregulated and poorly coordinated approach to First Nations water treatment poses a very real and dangerous threat to First Nations citizens.
“The situation nationally has been known for many years,” stated the National Chief. “I have personally seen the effects of inadequate treatment on communities from coast to coast. I saw a similar situation when I visited Gilford Island in British Columbia. The situation is echoed across the country and it’s a ticking time bomb. Any community under a boil water advisory could at any time find themselves in a situation like the one in Kashechewan. It is absolutely appalling and completely unacceptable that the federal government allows these conditions to fester and plague a community, while boasting of a federal surplus.”
The National Chief noted that a First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues is to be convened in late November, and that a comprehensive plan is required that deals with immediate priorities as well as long-term goals to address productivity and self-government.
“I have issued a ‘Ten Year Challenge’ to the First Ministers to work with us to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians,” said the National Chief. “One of the first steps is addressing these critical and urgent priorities to ensure we have healthy citizens and healthy communities. Band-aid solutions will not lead to sustainable communities. We need a stable foundation to build on so we can invest in education, spark economic opportunities and create our own capable governing institutions. This is crucial to the future of First Nations and the future of the country.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts:
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335
Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382
A Community in Crisis: National Chief Calls for Urgent Action on Unsafe Drinking Water in Kashechewan First Nation
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine today called for immediate action by the federal government on the water crisis in Kashechewan, a remote First Nation community in northern Ontario. There has been no action by the federal government even though the community has been under a boil water advisory since 2003. The situation is so bad that community members are calling for an immediate evacuation.
“Kashechewan is in an emergency situation,” said National Chief Fontaine. “I have already spoken with Kashechewan Chief Leo Friday and, based on that discussion, I am today contacting the federal Ministers of Indian Affairs and Health to set-up an immediate meeting so we can take action on this deplorable situation. The first step is to deal with the crisis in Kashechewan. Then we must map-out a comprehensive plan to address this issue on a national basis because this situation occurs in far too many First Nations communities in Canada.”
Currently, over 100 First Nation communities must boil their drinking water. Health Canada indicates that more than half of those communities are located in rural and remote locations in Ontario. Indian and Northern Affairs identified that over one quarter of the water treatment systems in First Nations communities remain at high risk to contamination. A report by the Office of the Auditor General issued less than one month ago (September 29) concluded that the federal government’s unregulated and poorly coordinated approach to First Nations water treatment poses a very real and dangerous threat to First Nations citizens.
“The situation nationally has been known for many years,” stated the National Chief. “I have personally seen the effects of inadequate treatment on communities from coast to coast. I saw a similar situation when I visited Gilford Island in British Columbia. The situation is echoed across the country and it’s a ticking time bomb. Any community under a boil water advisory could at any time find themselves in a situation like the one in Kashechewan. It is absolutely appalling and completely unacceptable that the federal government allows these conditions to fester and plague a community, while boasting of a federal surplus.”
The National Chief noted that a First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues is to be convened in late November, and that a comprehensive plan is required that deals with immediate priorities as well as long-term goals to address productivity and self-government.
“I have issued a ‘Ten Year Challenge’ to the First Ministers to work with us to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians,” said the National Chief. “One of the first steps is addressing these critical and urgent priorities to ensure we have healthy citizens and healthy communities. Band-aid solutions will not lead to sustainable communities. We need a stable foundation to build on so we can invest in education, spark economic opportunities and create our own capable governing institutions. This is crucial to the future of First Nations and the future of the country.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
Contacts:
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335
Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382