The Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum and Gull Bay First Nation partner with the Government of Canada to invest in water infrastructure

From: Indigenous Services Canada

November 9, 2018 — Kenora, Treaty 3 Territory, ON — Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nation communities to build water and wastewater facilities that will ensure improved and reliable access to clean water.

Today, Bob Nault, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, announced funding for two infrastructure projects; one in Wauzhushk Onigum Nation and one in Gull Bay First Nation.

Canada has committed to fund the design and construction of water and wastewater connections between the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation and the City of Kenora. Once completed, the project will provide safe drinking water to all 377 residents that live on the reserve and will eliminate two long-term drinking water advisories in the community.

In addition, Canada has also committed to fund the design and construction of a new centralized water treatment plant in Gull Bay First Nation. The water treatment plant will bring safe drinking water to 404 people that live on the reserve, and will eliminate a long-term drinking water advisory that has been in place since April 2009.

Quotes

“Building reliable infrastructure is critical for the health and wellbeing of any community. These projects in the Wauzhushk Onigum Nation and Gull Bay First Nation will provide reliable drinking water to residents and eliminate long-term drinking water advisories. I look forward to following the progress of these important infrastructure projects.”

The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“We are excited to be making progress on this project and we are happy to have the Government of Canada and the City of Kenora working alongside us. Completion of this project will provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water for our growing community and economy, now and for future generations.”

Chief Christopher Skead
Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum

“Without the availability of consistent drinking water in Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek – Gull Bay First Nation for nearly two decades, our Nation and its Citizens have been negatively impacted on so many levels.

Today’s announcement represents a significant improvement to the infrastructure in our Nation and will facilitate construction of other priority community projects, such as a new school, and allow those projects to move forward more quickly.

I am happy to have worked side-by-side with the representatives from Canada to ensure that the provision of safe and reliable drinking water comes to the citizens of our Nation in a way that limits negative impacts to the Land and the environment.”

Chief Wilfred King
Gull Bay First Nation

Quick facts

• Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum
  • Wauzhushk Onigum Nation is located approximately 3 kilometres southeast of Kenora.
  • The design phase of the project is now underway.
  • Construction is expected to commence in January 2019 and it is anticipated that all work will be completed by fall 2019.
• Gull Bay First Nation
  • Gull Bay First Nation is located 180 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
  • The design phase of the project began on November 8, 2018, and construction is expected to commence in spring/summer 2019.
  • All work is expected to be completed by summer 2020.

Associated links

• Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nation communities
• Lifecycle of a First Nation community infrastructure project
• Investing in First Nations community infrastructure

Contacts

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Indigenous Services
819-934-2796

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
SAC.media.ISC@canada.ca

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