NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION – Neskantaga First Nation is moving to a full-scale evacuation over a possibly contaminated water supply.
The community had focused on evacuating vulnerable members throughout the past week, as over 230 residents were flown to Thunder Bay.
Chief Chris Moonias announced the escalation to a "full scale evacuation" Saturday morning via social media, saying the decision was based on lab results and the timeline for work required to address the problem.
In a tweet, he called on "all partners including all levels of government to support this decision."
The federal government had agreed to cover the costs of evacuations, but it’s not clear whether that commitment would extend to the full evacuation Moonias announced Saturday.
Moonias also gave some indication of the troubles with the community’s water. An oily sheen observed on the surface of the First Nation’s reservoir had first prompted concerns, with technicians from Matawa tribal council taking water samples on Tuesday.
On Friday, Moonias revealed a preliminary report found “high levels of hydrocarbons,” advising residents not to use the tap water for any reason.
Further testing is being planned, he said.
The chief previously asked the federal government to meet seven demands to ensure residents’ health and safety before members return to the community
The First Nation has been under a boil-water advisory for 25 years, the longest running boil-water advisory in Canada.
