Jim Prentice Responds to Pikangikum Water Woes

Federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has raised eyebrows with
comments about water problems in Pikangikum.
Prentice says the practice of burying loved ones in the family backyard
is why the majority of homes there have no running water and toilets.
The Globe and Mail reports Prentice says that means it’s difficult to
install water and sewage pipes without disturbing graves.
But that explanation has surprised native leaders and an official in
Prentice’s own department.
Joe Young says he’s never heard community members object to digging
because of the bodies.