Neskantaga First Nation Urges Action Amid Summer Evacuations

Leaders from Neskantaga First Nation are asking for help from provincial and federal authorities to establish a new health-care facility, as the community faces its second evacuation this summer.

This remote Ojibway community, located about 440 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont., declared a state of emergency on Aug. 4 due to a sewage leak at its only nursing station. Fewer than 400 residents live in the First Nation.

The issue arose just five days after over 140 community members returned home from Toronto, following an evacuation caused by nearby wildfires.

Last year, the community was evacuated for three months due to flooding and fuel odors at the nursing station. Chief Gary Quisses mentioned that they requested support for a new health-care facility back then but have yet to receive a solid response.

Neskantaga has also been under a boil water advisory for 31 years, making it the longest-standing advisory in Canada.

“Right now, it’s just the stress and overwhelming [feeling] just building up,” Quisses told in an interview on Thursday.

More than 250 evacuees have been sent to Toronto. According to Quisses, the entire foundation of the nursing station may need replacing because “raw sewage that has seeped into the ground needs to be manually removed,” as stated in an announcement on Aug. 6.

Kiiwetinoong NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa is seen at Queen’s Park in this file photo. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Quisses and other leaders from Neskantaga, along with Kiiwetinoong NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, addressed this issue during a news conference at Queen’s Park on Thursday morning.

“We know that the standards of health care are already so low in most First Nations in Kiwetinoong and also in the far north,” Mamakwa said. “The few services that do exist such as [the nursing station in] Neskantaga are especially vital, and it’s vulnerable.

“While Ontario and Canada are stepping on First Nations’ treaty and inherent rights in an effort to access resources in traditional territories such as the Ring of Fire, they continue to neglect the needs of the people who actually live on these lands,” he added.

No timeline for restoration

Neskantaga First Nation’s nursing station was constructed back in 1994. Although a temporary nursing station was established after the leak on Aug. 4, it can only offer basic medical services, Quisses explained.

“Our health care is not adequate right now,” he said.

A bed is seen at Neskantaga First Nation’s temporary nursing station in this Aug. 10 photo. (Nishnawbe Aski Nation/Facebook)

reached out to Indigenous Services Canada and received an emailed response on Tuesday.

“ISC staff arrived in community on Aug. 4, 2026, to work with the First Nation’s contractor to assess the situation at the health facility and discuss next steps,” spokesperson Eric Head wrote.

“The contractor’s assessment will be shared with First Nations leadership, and decisions regarding restoring the facility will be made by the First Nation alongside ISC and partners.”

It is difficult to understand how their members are coping, especially the children.- Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

No timeline exists for when restoration of the nursing station might happen; testing at the facility is still ongoing while discussions with Neskantaga leadership continue, Head said.

According to ISC information provided “Ornge services are also available should any medivacs be required.”

Additionally, Head noted that Neskantaga can apply for funding through Emergency Management Assistance Program “to respond to and recover from this emergency.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), which represents 49 First Nations across treaties 9 and 5 visited Neskantaga on Aug. 10 for assessments.

“It has been a very difficult summer; chief and council feel tremendous pressure about providing answers when their members can return home,” NAN quoted Grand Chief Fiddler saying on Facebook.”It’s hard understanding how their members cope with everything happening – especially kids.”

Officials with Ontario ’s Ministry of Emergency Preparedness responded via email Monday stating that evacuees “continue receiving wraparound supports including accommodations food , and health services at host sites.”

‘We can’t keep putting Band-Aids on’

Kerry Black serves as an associate professor as well as Canada Research Chair at University Calgary’s Schulich School Engineering. A significant amount research she does focuses around water wastewater issues within Indigenous communities.Kerry Black is an associate professor & Canada Research Chair associated with University Calgary’s Schulich School Engineering. (Submitted by Kerry Black)

“It’s frustrating seeing this happen repeatedly whether it stems contractors errors or challenges obtaining sustainable funding we can’t keep patching things up” remarked Black.

Addressing both water wastewater crises affecting residents shouldn’t prove overly complicated , according her observations.

She advocated for long-term reliable funds directly reaching Indigenous groups so local members can maintain infrastructure independently create solutions themselves.

We’re living third world conditions regarding our healthcare.-Chief Gary Quisses

(Black)

“We must listen closely those impacted including tribal councils-they fully comprehend what’s going wrong expressed often enough” added Black.”

Charla Moonias works child family prevention services group within Nesktentga Community ; she doesn’t reside there due mainly infrastructure struggles faced daily.

“Still facing boil water advisories inadequate medical facilities -things remain unchanged Children lack trust safe drinking supplies housing environments service overall”, voiced Moonias Thursday press briefing.

 

 

Overall staying city takes toll every individual involved commented Quses emphasizing Hotels aren’t long-term living spaces–it confines individuals too much prevents true livability many families crammed one area.”

“Even though repairs will take time his hope remains shining light upon conditions endured particularly amidst development pressures felt throughout North region.”

“We’re experiencing Third World status healthcare wise! I don’t even possess access911 no fire protection no proper transportation options overall!” stated him expressing frustrations regarding lacking essential infrastructures present today.”

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