A Community’s Fight for Clean Water
- Staff
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
EVENFLOW 1.1
BY NIBI STAFF | MAY 1, 2025
NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION'S STORY
For more than a quarter of a century, the Neskantaga First Nation—an Ojibwe community located deep in the boreal forests of northwestern Ontario—has endured the longest-running boil water advisory in Canadian history.
Despite repeated promises from federal governments, increased public scrutiny, and millions of dollars in pledged funding, the community still lacks reliable access to clean, safe drinking water. This ongoing crisis is not just about infrastructure—it is a story of resilience, injustice, and the broader struggle for Indigenous rights and sovereignty in Canada.
A REMOTE COMMUNITY FACING DEEP-ROOTED CHALLENGES
Neskantaga First Nation is located approximately 450 kilometers north of Thunder Bay, accessible only by air for most of the year and via winter roads for a few months. Its remote location complicates the delivery of goods and services, including essential infrastructure development.
Like many northern Indigenous communities, Neskantaga faces systemic barriers rooted in a legacy of colonialism, underfunding, and federal neglect.
With a population of around 300 people, the community’s remoteness has often been cited as a reason for the slow pace of infrastructure development—an excuse that many Indigenous leaders reject as a failure of political will and prioritization.
THE HISTORY OF THE WATER CRISIS
The community’s water crisis officially began in 1995, when a boil water advisory (BWA) was issued due to concerns about the safety of the drinking water supply. What was initially perceived as a temporary issue has stretched into a multi-decade humanitarian crisis.
INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURE AND MISMANAGEMENT
Neskantaga’s original water treatment facility was constructed in the mid-1990s, but it was poorly designed and inadequately funded from the outset. The system quickly became overwhelmed and unreliable, with frequent mechanical failures and an inability to properly filter contaminants like hydrocarbons, bacteria, and disinfection by-products.
Experts and Indigenous leaders have criticized the project for its lack of cultural consultation, underinvestment, and flawed engineering.
Efforts to upgrade the system have been intermittent and slow-moving. In 2017, a new water treatment facility was commissioned with the goal of resolving the long-standing issues, but delays in construction, design flaws, and the lack of trained operators meant the crisis dragged on.
BROKEN PROMISES AND POLICY FAILURES
In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government made a high-profile pledge to end all long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities by March 2021.
While progress has been made in some communities, Neskantaga remains one of the most prominent examples of where that promise has not been kept.
As of April 2025, more than 25 First Nations communities in Canada are still under long-term water advisories, underscoring deep-rooted structural inequalities and policy inertia.
PERSONAL TOLL: VOICES FROM NESKANTAGA
The water crisis is not just about pipes and pumps—it is about people. The lack of clean water has profoundly impacted the physical and mental health of Neskantaga’s residents.
Health Impacts: Many report skin rashes, gastrointestinal illnesses, and chronic infections attributed to water contamination. Children are especially vulnerable. Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are prevalent as families grapple with the stress and indignity of life without clean water.
Daily Struggles: Daily life in Neskantaga revolves around rationing bottled water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene. Water must be flown in or shipped over ice roads during the winter, a process that is expensive, unreliable, and unsustainable.
Emotional Resilience: Chief Christopher Moonias has repeatedly emphasized the emotional burden carried by his community. “We’re not just fighting for water,” he says. “We’re fighting for our future, our children, and our dignity.”
Recent Developments and Ongoing Barriers
In October 2020, the crisis reached a tipping point when a suspected chemical leak from the water system led to a complete shutdown of the water supply.
The community was entirely evacuated to Thunder Bay—an extraordinary and traumatic measure that drew national attention and international scrutiny.
Following the evacuation, the federal government announced additional funding and support for completing the water treatment upgrades.
Yet as of 2025, full restoration of safe, reliable water service has not been achieved, and periodic disruptions continue.
Logistical and Political Hurdles
While millions of dollars have been allocated, much of the delay has stemmed from logistical complexity, poor project management, and the lack of sustained engagement with local leadership.
The federal government has often contracted external companies rather than empowering Indigenous-led solutions, creating further tension and inefficiency.
A NATIONAL AND SYSTEMIC ISSUE
Neskantaga’s experience is not unique. Water insecurity is a widespread issue across Canada’s Indigenous communities, historically driven by centuries of colonialism, land dispossession, and systemic racism.
Legal and Political Dimensions: The crisis highlights the ongoing denial of Indigenous peoples’ treaty rights, including the right to health, housing, and clean water. Legal experts argue that Canada’s failure to provide safe drinking water in Indigenous communities may violate both domestic human rights legislation and international law, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Technology and Innovation: Some First Nations are embracing innovative solutions. Companies like Nibi Enviro Tech, founded by Indigenous entrepreneurs, are developing mobile and community-scale water treatment systems that blend traditional knowledge with modern engineering. Such approaches offer promise, but require investment, trust, and a shift in policy.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR NESKANTAGA?
Despite the immense challenges, the people of Neskantaga remain hopeful, proud, and committed to securing justice.
The Community Demands:
Accountability: Transparent timelines, regular reporting, and independent oversight of federal projects.
Collaboration: Greater inclusion of Indigenous engineers, planners, and leaders in designing and operating water infrastructure.
Capacity Building: Training and employment opportunities for local water operators, ensuring sustainability and autonomy.
Public Awareness: Continued advocacy from Canadians across the country to keep Indigenous water justice on the national agenda.
A CALL TO ACTION
As Neskantaga First Nation continues its decades-long battle, their story must serve as a call to action. All Canadians have a role to play in demanding accountability, supporting Indigenous sovereignty, and ensuring that no community is left behind in the fight for clean water.
SHARE YOUR VOICE
Do you live in a community suffering from a "water-boil advisory" or other water restrictions?
Have an opinion about the state of water in your province?
Share your opinion in the comments along with your email and you may be featured in an upcoming story in our EVENFLOW blog series.
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