I know I just went on a rant in the tags about this but it needs its own post because this really is one of the more upsetting disgusting and frustrating parts of living in Canada. there's a LOT to say here and without a doubt I'm going to miss some.
9% of our First Nation communities have unsafe drinking water. another 10% have no running water at all.
Neskantaga First Nation has been under a boil-water advisory (meaning they have to boil their water before it can be safe to use) since 1995. this time last year they declared a state of emergency. at the time of writing, the residents have been evacuated and without running water entirely- clean or otherwise- since october 19 due to an issue with the treatment system.
Justin Trudeau's liberal government promised to put an end to the water advisories in 2017, saying they would donate $8million to have the treament systems improved. supposedly, there was a plan in place to have this done by 2018. this same plan has just been delayed again until 2021. over the years their budget has doubled, but next to nothing has been done. (wherever this money's been going, it hasn't been to Indigenous people. but that's another post for another time).
I want to make it very clear- when you hear the Canadian government say "long-term water advisory", they mean upwards of 10 or 20 years. 10 or 20 days is a long time to go without clean water. Neskantaga's is the longest running, but they're just one of many First Nations under a water advisory. Here's just a few more.
Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation - under BWA since 1997
Eabametoong First Nation - under BWA since 2001
PikwΓ kanagΓ n First Nation - under BWA since 2008
Koochening First Nation - under BWA since 2009
Lac Seul First Nation - under BWA since 2003
Marten Falls First Nation - under BWA since 2005
Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation - under BWA since 2003
Northwest Angle 33 First Nation - under DNCA* since 2016
Sandy Lake First Nation - under BWA since 2002
Washagamish Bay First Nation - under BWA since 2008
* Do Not Consume Advisory
the government has been failing them forever, over and over again, with new promises to change every day. more than 58 First Nations communities (that we know of) are without proper access to drinking water and have been for at least over a year.
please if you can, consider donating to some organizations working to protect Indigenous people and their rights. (all charities linked here are registered through the CRA. feel free to add more.)
gathering of rivers is the organization the Neskantaga people themselves suggested people donate to, so they're one of the organizations I'll be linking. they work with communities in and around the same relative area as Neskantaga. you can choose where your donation goes within that list.
M'akola housing society is an organization that seeks to provide affordable housing for Indigenous people, serving the Kwakwaka'wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish territories. (note: this area encompasses 53 First Nations)
Dakota Ojibway child and family services is an organization providing care for Indigenous families of the Dakota Tipi First Nation and the surrounding area
Opokaa'Sin early intervention society is an organization that provides services to Indigenous children and parents of Indigenous children in the Kainai First Nation
the centre for Indigenous environmental resources is exactly what it says on the tin, serves all across the country
the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata centre provides meals and community services to Indigenous communities across Canada wherever they might need them
this is the absolute tip of the iceberg here, but I'm not the most articulate person in the world so I'll have to leave it at that. please consider doing some research of your own into this topic as it's both very important and very overlooked.
yousharknotpass
vaporwave
annaxmalina
kaledo-art
germansingergirl
origamiaround
gummygunk
