Ottawa –
The federal government has set aside about $ 1.5 billion to compensate indigenous peoples for running out of clean drinking water as a result of a collective action initiated by communities of the first nations.
But while the government called the settlement “historic”, people living on the country’s longest water-boiling council called it unfair and disappointing at a news conference Thursday.
Neskantaga First Nation Chief Wayne Munias of Ontario said the 27-year-old council was “heartbreaking,” especially for children who have never known clean water.
Community member Roy Munias said he was only entitled to six years’ compensation, even though he had lived on the council since 1995.
“This is BS,” Munias said. “Who made that call?”
He said the Nescantaga treatment plant was still unfinished, “and our people have lost hope in this project.”
“The Government of Canada must be held accountable for the wrongdoing of this community,” he said.
The agreement will compensate people living in communities that have been the subject of drinking water consultation for at least one year between November 1995 and June 20, 2021.
Tataskweyak chief Doreen Spence said the class action was aimed at making the federal government aware of the injustice facing indigenous peoples.
The case was initiated by Neskantaga First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation in 2019. The court approved a settlement agreement on December 22, 2021.
But representatives of these communities, who were invited to speak at a news conference on Thursday, said people were still suffering.
Sharon Sakani, Neskantaga’s health director, said people came to the nursing home with skin rashes caused by the water.
“We are asked to use bottled water for bathing, cooking, cleaning and this is unacceptable,” she said.
Sakani’s son was born a month after the water recommendations went into effect in 1995. She said he died of suicide in 2012 – shortly before the community declared a state of emergency over suicide – and “he should never have he has been drinking clean drinking water since the day he was born, and all our children face that today. “
“It’s just another form of genocide,” she said.
Indigenous Services Minister Patti Haidou said individual compensation will never compensate for the damage to people’s lives, but added that the government’s commitment of at least $ 6 billion through the agreement aims to end all water diversion advice. “once and for all”.
“I agree, no one should fight so hard for basic human rights,” she said.
Spence invited Haidou to visit her community in Manitoba, which has been under consultation for five years, to better understand living conditions.
In a press release, the government said it “recognizes the past damage caused to the first nations by the lack of safe drinking water and is firmly committed to supporting these communities by tackling systemic barriers and developing sustainable solutions.”
The agreement also includes a $ 400 million fund for the economic and cultural reconstruction of the first nation and a promise to “make every reasonable effort” to repeal the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act and introduce a replacement law by the end of the year.
“If we want to build reconciliation, a path to healing, we need to address these basic basic human rights,” said Chief Munias.
The Trudeau government has promised to end all long-term water boiling councils when it was first elected in 2015. So far, 132 councils have ended, but there are still 33 active in 28 communities.
Tataskweyak elder Eunice Beard said the prime minister “makes promises but doesn’t keep them”.
“I hope that one day, before my time to leave this land, I will see this clear water for our young people,” she said.
The settlement period is open and people can apply for compensation until next March.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on April 28, 2022.
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