Paul Dubé, the Ontario ombudsman, was deeply impacted by the stark realities of life in Neskantaga First Nation upon his arrival. Greeted by children holding handmade signs at the airport, he was faced with urgent appeals for clean water, medical facilities, an ambulance, and a new school in what he described as a deteriorating facility.
During a two-day visit last week, Dubé engaged with community members to understand the numerous daily challenges they encounter, most notably the enduring 30-year boil-water advisory, the longest in the country. The ombudsman’s role is to hold the government accountable by investigating complaints against over 1,000 government and public-sector entities, offering recommendations to enhance public services.
Following an invitation from Chief Gary Quisses to tour Neskantaga First Nation, Dubé urged both provincial and federal governments to swiftly address the unsafe and unacceptable conditions prevalent in the community. Expressing his dismay over the situation, Dubé emphasized the need to provide support and services to alleviate the hardships faced by the residents.
Describing the community’s plight, Dubé highlighted issues such as mold-infested houses, an inadequate water treatment plant, an unopened police station due to lack of telecommunications, and a temporary nursing station falling short of meeting the community’s requirements. He also pointed out the challenges with the community’s limited school facilities, forcing students to relocate for high school education.
Despite being located approximately 500 kilometers north of Thunder Bay and awaiting the completion of a new youth cultural center for almost a decade, Neskantaga First Nation continues to grapple with mental health and addiction crises, particularly affecting the younger population. Dubé commended the community’s resilience while acknowledging their frustrations with the prevailing conditions.
In response to the ombudsman’s concerns, Ontario’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation assured collaboration with Neskantaga First Nation and the federal government to address long-standing water advisories and enhance community well-being. Both federal and provincial authorities pledged to work towards resolving infrastructure challenges and ensuring access to safe water on reserves.
Chief Quisses emphasized the lack of accountability from successive governments since the initiation of Neskantaga’s boil-water advisory. He called for expedited action from both levels of government to address community issues promptly, rather than prioritizing land development over essential infrastructure improvements.
As part of its commitment, Indigenous Services Canada has allocated over $155 million since 2020 to support community infrastructure and health programs in Neskantaga. Despite ongoing efforts, Chief Quisses reiterated the importance of sharing the community’s struggles to garner attention and support for their longstanding challenges.