Children and youth from Neskantaga First Nation are urging the government to take action so they can return home.
They were involved in a rally in Thunder Bay Tuesday.
Chief Chris Moonias stresses they want swift action to end the water crisis in their community which has forced them to evacuate to the city.
“They want to go home, they’re scared of being here. It’s right in the middle of a pandemic. We shouldn’t be here, we shouldn’t have to be here, and they shouldn’t have to do this to get heard,” remarked Moonias.
One of the youths who took part in the rally was an emotional Lyndon Sakanee.
The 12-year-old is longing to go back home, noting they had come to Thunder Bay once before, but that was only for a few days, “But now with the virus, it got even worse there (and) we have to stay here more.”
The 250 residents of Neskantaga have been in Thunder Bay since late October after an oily sheen was discovered in the water reservoir.
They are expected to remain in the city until the end of the month.
Their plight has made its way to the floors of both the House of Commons and the Ontario Legislature.
