They migrated northward and westward during the late 17th and early 18th centuries in search of animals to supply the fur trade. Boil water advisory to end as Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation finalizes water agreement with Kenora, Ont. December 27, 2019. You'll…, The Northwestern Health Unit has reported one new case of COVID-19 in the Kenora region. 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. Boil water advisory lifted in Grassy -12°C . The water crisis in this Northern Ontario First Nations once again exposes the failure by the federal government to provide access to safe and clean water to First Nations. Previous reports indicated that water turbidity was at 120 times Ontario health guidelines and there was the presence of potentially cancer-causing disinfectant by-products. Follow up with the persons involved and their contacts has started according to…, Children in need across the district will get more help in the new year, after an announcement by Firefly. The Wabigoon River has been sacred to the people of Grassy Narrows for generations. River 21 Indian Reserve. 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. 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. Fobister was commenting on the release of Ontario's new forestry strategy Thursday. This means you can safely consume the tap water.". Another report from 2011 noted the presence of uranium in well water, which doesn't meet provincial health guidelines. Grassy Narrows declared a state of emergency over its unsafe drinking water in 2015, after a boil-water advisory had already been in place for nearly two years, as it tried to get more information from the federal government about the safety of its water. A letter from Chief Rudy Turtle says tap water is safe to use again. Jianne Turtle, 13, daughter of Grassy Narrows Chief Rudy Turtle, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “should keep his promise” to address the mercury crisis. Environment Minister Glen Murray announced in Jun 2017 article, CBC news: Ontario will spend $85 million to clean up industrial mercury contamination that is poisoning the people at Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations in NW Ont Chief Rudy Turtle says they got $5.2 million from Indigenous Services Canada and $1 million dollars from the province, so they could lift boil water advisories that had been in place for seven years since 2013, as well as extend service to new parts of the community. Advocates for the community say it remains one of Canada's worst examples of the effects of legacy pollution. 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. A letter from Chief Rudy Turtle says tap water is safe to use again. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. A recent health study demonstrates the depths of the health crisis experienced by the Grassy Narrows First Nation as the result of mercury poisoning, including learning disabilities and nervous system disorders among youth born long after the initial disaster. The Wabigoon River has been sacred to the people of Grassy Narrows for generations. A letter from Chief Rudy Turtle says tap water is safe to use again. 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. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel Grassy Narrows members are welcoming safe drinking water in their community. Grassy Narrows members don't have to use bottled water anymore. The water tower is seen on the Grassy Narrows First Nation reserve in northwestern Ontario on Friday, May 18, 2018. The health unit defines the Kenora region as: English River 21, Jaffray-Mellick, Keewatin, Kenora , Kenora…, Staff with the Northwestern Health Unit have confirmed the first COVID-19 related death in the region. Out of respect for the…, Whitedog First Nation is looking forward to implementing their own customary care code for child welfare. “Mr. 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. After one more round of tests, Turtle sent out the letter. Indigenous Services Canada lists three boil water advisories in Grassy Narrows First Nation, with the first of them being issued back in May 2013. 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. The project cost a total of $14.6 million, with the federal government contributing the majority of the funding to make it happen. . Little Saskatchewan, MB as of September 26, 2020. Star Exclusive. Turtle said the three separate public water systems in the First Nation were merged into one system in December 2019. Negotiations about bringing clean water to the First Nation began between the two communities in September 2018. Moreover, in June 2017, the Ontario government pledged $85 million to clean up the industrial mercury contamination. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh held a press conference in Grassy Narrows, Ont. Adolphus Cameron says they've been working with their elders for many years, as they look…, Rat Portage, Kenora join to help provide clean water, Increased COVID-19 risk in Rainy River area: NWHU, Four cases of COVID-19 reported on Boxing Day, Three new cases of Covid-19 reported in the region, Whitedog hopes new laws will help bring more children home. Ending long-term drinking water advisories. But Turtle says he is now looking to secure safe water for future generations. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Grassy Narrows members don't have to use bottled water anymore. Grassy Narrows. 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