Menu

Far North

Remote dirt road

First Nations lobby for federal funding for all-weather road in Ontario’s Far North

,

Two First Nations organizations are looking for $318 million from the federal government.

The Windigo First Nations Council (WFNC) and Four First Nations Group (FFFG) say the money would help with the construction of a 613-kilometre-long all-weather road in Ontario’s Far North.

Six communities would be connected and linked to the provincial highway system.

“We are coming forward today with a shovel-ready, transformative infrastructure project,” states Frank McKay, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of WFNC, in a release.

“With federal investment partnership support, we could achieve construction starts next year and completion of the new road network in four to five years.

The First Nations organizations say over 95 percent of community members support the project.

A business case prepared by Deloitte Canada found the road would help lower the cost of goods and services and bring a lower cost of living to the region.

It identified that travel costs would drop by 50% and freight charges by 94%.

A further 50% saving would be achieved in the cost of essential goods like food, fuel and building supplies.

“For every dollar the federal government invests in the All-Season Road network, we expect $1.60
to $2.70 will be returned in wider economic benefits to Canada, Ontario and the First Nation communities,” states McKay.

The Deloitte study also identified that the road network would improve economic and trade opportunities for the First Nations, create new employment and reduce the impacts of economic and social isolation.

soldry-1

NDP Believes Ontario Not Ready For Flooding

, , ,

Ontario’s NDP doesn’t agree with a provincial stance that they are ready to help in the event of flooding in the Far North.

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says flooding is already knocking at the door of Kashechewan First Nation, but the government is ignoring the threat, and failing to help with the evacuation.

Mamakwa stresses the remote community faces two crises: the global COVID-19 pandemic and spring flooding.

He notes a large group of the population opted to pre-emptively move to traditional camps, but there are hundreds of others who will have to receive aid from Ontario and the feds.

The Opposition Critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is accusing both levels of government of dragging their feet for far too long.

The Ontario NDP claims Premier Doug Ford cut Conservation Authorities’ flood management budgets by 50%, putting more communities at risk.

Mamakwa says the remote First Nation has flooded year after year, forcing people to evacuate, but this year the government hasn’t stepped up to help at all.

yakabusk-2

Province Ready For Spring Flooding

, , , ,

The provincial government is keeping a close eye on the flood situation in northern Ontario.

Premier Doug Ford says he is taking steps to ensure emergency personnel and help can be deployed right away.

The ‘Ontario Flood War Room’ is in Peterborough where teams are monitoring water levels and flows 24 hours a day.

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski says “In the Far North, current projections show a moderate to high risk of flooding for the James and Hudson Bay coasts. On Thursday, my Ministry launched surveillance flights to assess conditions in this area.”

“We will continue to closely monitor the flooding situation in the Far North as the spring ice break-up occurs.”

Yakabuski says recognizing the impact of COVID-19 on municipalities this year, the government is taking the lead on identifying suitable locations to host potential evacuees.

He stresses they are also working to minimize the reliance on municipal resources for various supports, including health care and social services.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says they are working closely with Indigenous partners.

“First Nations leaders have expressed a strong preference to stay on their land for as long as it’s safe to do so. We respect those wishes and will remain in close contact with First Nations leaders to ensure we are ready to respond if community needs escalate.”

 

greg_13

Protecting First Nations Priority For Government: Greg Rickford

, , , ,

Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford says the province is working closely with remote First Nations communities to ensure they are protected during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Rickford says he’s closely working with Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler to ensure families have access to critical supplies and information.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP says his government understands the unique challenges facing the Far North.

Rickford says they have committed immediate funding to support food and supply networks in the region.

He notes the money will ensure food security by purchasing food storage and staging areas, and help with transportation costs.

An online tool has also been established with COVID-19 information and fact sheets in four Indigenous languages.

It can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

snhealth-2

Health Authority Working To Help Remote North

, , ,

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority continues to work diligently to keep those in their 33 member First Nations communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic

The organization has reached out to Indigenous leaders to offer expanded services including providing health promotion materials for each community, assisting with personal protection equipment, placing and coordinating bulk orders for cleaning and hygiene supplies as well as supporting community pandemic plans.

The Authority is also not allowing visitors at their hostels until further notice.

Officials say they are holding regular teleconference meetings with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Chiefs Committee on Health and their own Board of Directors.

Here is the complete rundown on what the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is doing right now.

Assisting our Communities
SLFNHA has reached out to First Nation leaders to offer expanded supports. We are doing the following:
• Holding regular teleconference meetings with the following:
o Nishinawbe Aski Nation
o Chiefs Committee on Health
o SLFNHA Board of Directors
• Providing health promotion materials for each community
• Not allowing visitors at our hostels
• Assisting with personal protection equipment assessments
• Placing and coordinating bulk orders for cleaning and hygiene supplies
• Providing support in updating community pandemic plans.
• Developing practical tools and checklists to ensure each community is prepared.
• Providing updates via social media when new information arises
• Broadcasting information updates on Wawatay Radio at 1 p.m. CST all week long

Assisting our Employees
To ensure we can effectively support our communities, we are also working to ensure the safety of our
300+ employees by:
• Establishing an Internal Response Team who meets daily via teleconference
• Canceling all training, events, workshops, and non-essential travel.
• Creating new policies to for the potential of 14-day isolation of employees.
• Encouraging employees to work from home if they can.
• Educating all essential employees, who work closely with clients, on the symptoms of COVID-19.
• Ensuring Staff are being sent home if they are experiencing any of the symptoms.
• Reviewing infection prevention and control for all SLFNHA sites that host clients, our hostels,
Clinics etc.

Precautions
We are advising everyone to practice the following:
• Wash your hands with soap and water (pre-boil water regularly if needed) or use alcohol based
hand sanitizer
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow (not your hands)
• Avoid touching your face
• Avoid contact with people. This may mean canceling family get-togethers like birthdays, or other
celebrations.
o Arrange for food delivery within your community if possible

Next Steps
SLFNHA is working towards providing regular updates and encouraging everyone to do their part in
preventing the spread of the virus by following the steps provided. The situation is being taken very
seriously by all levels of government and so far there is only one confirmed case of COVID-19 within
Northwestern Ontario.
For the most up-to date information on COVID-19, visit publichealthontario.ca

BearskinFloodingPIc-1-1

Sioux Lookout Hosting Flood Evacuees

, , ,

A State of Emergency has been declared in Sioux Lookout.

The declaration allows the municipality to host evacuees from Bearskin Lake First Nation.

The remote community, about 425-kilometres north of Sioux Lookout, is being evacuated due to a severe flood threat.

An ice jam along the Severn River has caused the water to rise rapidly and resulted in the community being cut off from the airport and vital resources.

150-people will be in Sioux Lookout by the end of the day, with evacuations starting yesterday. (Wednesday)

Residents are being airlifted with the use of helicopters from various locations within the Reserve to their airport, and then flown to Sioux Lookout via a Dash 7 and Dash 8 aircraft.

The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is making its Sioux Lookout aircraft hanger available to receive and register evacuees, who will then be transported to local accommodations.

Michelle Larose is the Chief Administrative Officer and Chair of the Sioux Lookout Emergency Control Group and she says an Information Centre will be set-up at the host hotel today (Thursday).

Larose says the Centre will provide information and updates to the evacuees, as well as host toiletries, snacks and other items needed to ensure everyone’s needs are met.

Thunder Bay will be hosting 180-evacuees, while Kenora has been listed as a possible site for assistance.

An Emergency Declaration ensures that resources are made available and any costs incurred by the Municipality resulting from the assistance provided, are covered by the provincial and/or federal governments.