National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water

Canada is rich in water. As a brushing teeth. If they don't kilometres to the south, where result, many of us take this drink bottled water, they risk they were put up in a hotel. substance for granted. We take getting sick. A question of trust long showers. We drink tall Similar conditions plague 40 glasses of water fi lled straight Offi cials spent two months additional and from kitchen faucets. We don't investigating the cause of the Inuit communities. But the think twice about how access to oily water. Finally, they linked Neskantaga people hold an clean water impacts our lives. it to a broken seal on a pump in unfortunate record. Th ey have the community's water plant. Troubled waters the longest ongoing boil-water Th ey tested the oil and found For many Indigenous people advisory in . it to be non-toxic. Th at meant living on reserves, however, it's An ugly oily sheen Neskantaga residents could fl y a diff erent story. Consider the home. Recently, the bad situation in Neskantaga First Nation. Th is the Neskantaga First Nation Th ey returned to their community of about 350 people got worse. Th is past October, community on December 18. in northern can only be most residents had to leave their Th ey are still boiling tap water, reached by air or by an homes aft er their water was shut however, because the water plant in winter. off altogether. It was the second isn’t working to capacity. And For more than 25 years, the time in two years. Th e reason many people just don’t have faith water coming out of taps on this time? Patches of oil were that their water will ever be safe. this reserve has been tainted, spotted on the surface of the “If [we] get clean water here, I’m discoloured, and sometimes community’s reservoir. still not going to trust myself to toxic. People get skin rashes Public health offi cials told people drink the tap water because I’ve aft er bathing or taking showers. not to bathe, fl ush the toilet, been growing up drinking water And residents have had to boil or use water for cooking, even [from] bottles,” said Geoff rey water for at least a minute before aft er boiling it. So members Quisses. Mr. Quisses is 22. Th at washing produce, cooking, and were fl own to Th under Bay, 450 means he's three years younger Definitions boil-water advisory: a recommendation issued by public reservoir: a usually artifi cial lake that is used to store a health offi cials to boil water for at least one minute as a way to large supply of water for use in people’s homes and businesses remove bacteria, viruses, and parasites toxic: containing poisonous substances 2020/2021: Issue 5 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 5 National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water than the community’s boil- water advisory. A shameful situation Th e federal government had promised to end all boil-water advisories Issues clog the pipes by March 2021, mainly by fi xing design, construction, and installation Th e Neskantaga water saga issues with water treatment plants. began in the late 1980s. By late January, 97 long-term advisories have been lift ed. However, Th at's when the community 59 advisories remain in eff ect. Th e government says COVID-19 is was relocated by the federal preventing it from meeting the deadline. government to Attawapiskat Lake. Th eir original settlement Change can’t come soon enough. Th e group Human Rights Watch, which studied the issue in Canada, says some people are losing was located a short distance to patience. So they drink, wash dishes, and bathe in water than hasn't the east. But it fl ooded oft en, and been boiled fi rst. Th at exposes them to potentially deadly toxins. Th ey lacked plumbing. get skin infections. Some avoid water entirely. Poor-quality water also Th e federal government contributes to housing shortages. Communities can't build more houses promised the Neskantaga nation without upgrading their water and sewer systems. a better life in their new home. For one thing, each house would Delays, delays, delays Disputes with contractors, have clean running water. Yet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mislabeled equipment, and a from the start, the nation’s new and the Liberals came to power worker who had COVID-19 have water source was a problem. in 2015. Th ey promised to tackle also caused delays. Meanwhile water problems on reserves once the project budget, originally Attawapiskat Lake has high and for all. set at $8.7,million, has nearly concentrations of organic matter doubled to $16.4 million. from fallen trees and other Th e Liberal government plants. Th at has hurt its water authorized an upgraded plant The bigger picture quality. Experts have found for the Neskantaga nation. Still, the upgrade is fi nally several pathogens in the lake, Th e work was supposed to be nearing completion. By spring, including E. coli. When E. coli completed by 2018. But delays once the water passes all tests, tainted the water supply in in getting approvals for some it should be safe to drink. But Walkerton, Ontario in 2000, it improvements slowed down Elders say skilled people must killed six people. progress. Th e community run the plant, or problems will needed a better sewer lift station, return. So plans are underway to In 1993 the federal department for example. When a lift station hire certifi ed water operators to paid to have a new water fails, wastewater can back up train local band members. treatment plant built. However, into homes and on land. Plus, the plant didn't work properly “I don’t want to have to evacuate calibrating the plant’s computer and the boil-water advisory the community again,” Chief system to balance all the started in 1995. Chris Moonias says. "I don’t chemicals has been a challenge. want that. My nation doesn’t want that.” J Definitions calibrate: to adjust or mark a device so that it can be used pathogen: a disease-causing bacteria or virus in an accurate and exact way

2020/2021: Issue 5 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 6 National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS 1. Where is the Neskantaga First Nation located? How isolated is this community?

2. For how long have people lived in this location? When and why did they move here?

3. Why is the water source for the Neskantaga First Nation problematic? Explain.

4. What did the federal government do in 1993 to try to provide clean water?

5. Why is there a water 'crisis' in Neskantaga? How has this crisis aff ected everyday life for residents?

6. What did the federal government promise in 2015?

7. Describe why Neskantaga residents were evacuated last fall.

8. Where were residents evacuated to? How did they get there?

9. When were residents allowed to return?

2020/2021: Issue 5 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 7 National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water VISUALIZING FROM TEXT Active readers create visual images in their heads based on the words they read in the text. Th e pictures they create help them to better remember and understand what they read. As you read the article “Th e Neskantaga Water Crisis”, pay attention to the words or phrases that “trigger” a picture in your mind. Mark these trigger words, phrases, or facts with a V and draw a quick sketch to show what you see or imagine. (Note: Sometimes words will trigger other senses. You may wish to mark such trigger words using these codes: Sm = smell; T = taste; H = hear; Tch = touch/feel.) The task: Draw three images* Aft er reading the article, draw three illustrations that show an “on-the-line”, “between-the-line”, and “beyond-the-line” mental image. (Use your marked text to help you select the best ones.) Write the trigger word, phrase, or fact under each image. Aim to make your images vivid, detailed, and showing the complete idea. On-the-line: Draw a sketch that captures the mental pictures that are created in your mind as you read a trigger word, phrase, or fact from the article (e.g., “water-rich Canada” = an image of a map of Canada, highlighting its lakes and large bodies of water; water fl owing from taps and showers, in a full bathtub or swimming pool, etc.). Between-the-lines: Create an image that goes with the text but explains or adds unmentioned details (e.g., “toxic” = a sketch showing a glass of water, a bathtub, a pot of water on a stove with symbols suggesting that it is unsafe, like a red circle with a strike through it, or a poison or toxic label symbol; or, a thought bubble above a mother's head showing her fear for her children: “Is it safe to give them this water?”). Beyond-the-lines: Draw an illustration that explores the possibilities and probabilities not discussed in the article, that build on the text, continue the story, or apply information from the article to new situations (e.g., “shameful” = a picture showing a symbol of the federal government like the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, with a sign stating "Neskantaga First Nation has been waiting for safe water for 25 years.").

*Adapted from: Wilhelm, J.D. Reading is Seeing, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 2004.

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ORGANIZER

Visualizing from text On-the-line

______

trigger word, phrase, fact

Between-the-lines ______

trigger word, phrase, fact

Beyond-the-lines ______

trigger word, phrase, fact

2020/2021: Issue 5 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 9 National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER THOUGHT 1. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to end all boil-water advisories by March 2021. Ninety-seven advisories have been lift ed since he made that promise. However, there are still 40 First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada living with an advisory. As you see it, what steps must be taken to ensure that all Canadians have sustainable access to clean water?

2. Th e human body is composed of about 60 percent water. Health experts agree that water consumption is vital to maintaining good physical health, as is proper hygiene and good nutrition. Imagine for a moment that the water in your home is not fi t for drinking, taking showers, or cooking food. Make a list of how you would need to adapt your daily activities. What do you think would be some of the long-term consequences of living without clean water? Explain.

2020/2021: Issue 5 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 10 National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water QUESTIONS FOR ONLINE EXPLORATION Note: Th e links below are listed at www.lesplan.com/en/links for easy access. 1. Th e federal government has made a commitment to ensuring that all Canadians have access to clean and safe water. Some critics, including Human Rights Watch, have expressed frustration with the delays in achieving this goal. Visit the links below to learn more about the government perspective and the ongoing concerns about its plans: • Federal Minister of Indigenous Aff airs Marc Miller : https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1826677315812 and https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1826671171834 • Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau on behalf of the Neskantaga First Nation: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/11/20/human-rights-watch-letter-prime-minister-trudeau • Opposition party member Jagmeet Singh questions Prime Minister Trudeau during question period: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1826740291960/ What question would you like to ask one of these individuals about the Neskantaga water crisis? Explain.

2. Did you know that the Great Lakes contain over 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater? Visit this link to learn more about protecting Canada's freshwater: https://environmentaldefence.ca/ campaign/water/What are three things you can do to support this incredibly important resource?

2020/2021: Issue 5 What in the world? • Level 1 Page 11 National The Neskantaga Water Crisis – A 25-Year Struggle for Clean Water PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER A. Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question: ______1. Neskantaga residents relocated to Attawapiskat Lake in the 1980s because: a) they were forced to go b) they wanted to join another community there c) the climate was better d) their old location fl ooded oft en and lacked plumbing ______2. Th e Neskantaga First Nation has needed to boil its water since: a) 1967 b) 1980 c) 1995 d) 2005 ______3. Who promised to end all boil-water advisories in Canada by March 2021? a) Doug Ford b) Chrystia Freeland c) Joe Biden d) Justin Trudeau B. Mark the statements T (True) or F (False). If a statement is True, write one important fact to support it on the line below. If a statement is False, write the words that make it true on the line below. ______4. True or False? Most of the time, the Neskantaga community can only be accessed by air.

______5. True or False? Th e Neskantaga nation has experienced the longest ongoing boil-water advisory in Canada.

______6. True or False? Neskantaga residents returned home in January aft er being evacuated in June.

C. Fill in the blanks to complete each sentence. 7. Attawapiskat Lake has high concentrations of ______matter from fallen trees and plants. 8. In October, patches of ______appeared in the Neskantaga water reservoir. 9. Neskantaga residents were evacuated to ______. (2) D. Respond to the following question in paragraph form. (Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.) 10. In what ways does a lack of clean drinking water impact a community and the people who live there? Explain.

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