Neskantaga First Nation Declares State of Emergency After Flooding, Urges Immediate Government Action
Neskantaga First Nation, a remote northern Ontario community, has declared a state of emergency following severe flooding that has displaced families and disrupted access to essential services. Community leaders are urgently calling on both the federal and provincial governments to provide immediate support and long-term solutions to address the crisis and prevent future disasters.
Flooding Triggers Humanitarian Crisis
Over the weekend, rising water levels from the nearby Attawapiskat River inundated parts of the community, damaging infrastructure, homes, and vital access routes. The flooding has forced dozens of residents to evacuate and has further strained a community already grappling with chronic infrastructure challenges and a longstanding boil water advisory.
Chief Wayne Moonias described the situation as dire and called for immediate deployment of emergency response teams, housing support, and coordinated government aid.
“This isn’t just water in our streets — it’s a breakdown of safety, health, and basic human rights,” Chief Moonias said. “We need urgent help now, not bureaucratic delays.”
Ongoing Struggles Amplified
Neskantaga First Nation, located approximately 450 kilometers north of Thunder Bay, has faced decades of underinvestment and systemic neglect. The community is Canada’s longest-standing boil water advisory — in place since 1995 — and the latest flooding has severely impacted water infrastructure, making the situation even more critical.
Leaders in the community warn that continued inaction only deepens the humanitarian toll on their people, who are once again forced to flee their homes and rely on temporary shelters with limited resources.
Calls for Federal and Provincial Response
The community has formally requested coordinated support from Indigenous Services Canada and the Ontario government. This includes emergency housing, clean water delivery, infrastructure repair, and mental health services for affected families.
Indigenous advocates and political leaders have also spoken out, emphasizing that climate-related disasters like this are becoming more frequent in northern communities due to aging infrastructure and limited emergency preparedness.
“Neskantaga’s people have suffered for far too long,” said Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong. “This flood is not an isolated incident — it’s the latest consequence of decades of inaction.”
Broader Implications and Climate Risk
The flooding in Neskantaga is yet another example of how Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected by climate change and infrastructure deficits. As extreme weather events become more common, First Nations across Canada are calling for sustained investments in climate resilience and emergency response capacity.
Experts warn that without urgent action, more communities will face similar crises — with devastating impacts on health, safety, and sovereignty.
As Neskantaga struggles to recover, its leadership is hoping that this latest emergency finally compels real action from Canadian governments.
“We are resilient, but we cannot do this alone,” Chief Moonias stated. “We need partnership, investment, and respect — not just during the crisis, but for the long term.”
Source : Swifteradio.com
