Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Northwestern Ontario

Report on 'historic' 2022 Rainy Lake-area flooding calls for watershed access app, emergency floodway study

Report on 'historic' 2022 Rainy Lake-area flooding calls for watershed access app, emergency floodway study

A draft report on flooding in the Rainy River area of Ontario last year recommends the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board look into the development of a new app that would provide easy access to information about the area's watershed. The board's Water Levels Committee, which has both a Canadian and U.S. component, released the report on its website on Friday. It sheds light on the spring 2022 flooding and includes recommendations on how to better handle any such disasters in the future.

'Our fingers are crossed': Red Lake residents hope for quick repairs to washed-out highway

'Our fingers are crossed': Red Lake residents hope for quick repairs to washed-out highway

A weekend washout has cut the municipality of Red Lake off from the rest of northwestern Ontario. The washout at the Caribou Creek Bridge on Highway 105 occurred on Saturday, with high water flows completely washing away the bridge. "With the quick thaw that we've been having throughout the district, the ground remain frozen still," Red Lake Mayor Fred Mota told CBC News on Monday. "The water cannot seep into the ground, and therefore there's lots of runoff."

'We're doing everything we can': Conmee Township says flood repairs will take time Social Sharing

'We're doing everything we can': Conmee Township says flood repairs will take time Social Sharing

The mayor of Conmee said Tuesday warmer weather is needed before repairs to roads damaged by weekend flooding can really get underway. The township, about 40 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, declared a state of emergency on Monday due to the flooding, Mayor Kevin Holland said. "We received significant rainfall over the weekend in the township, and that combined with the heavy snow load on the ground in the ditches and the watercourses caused some water backing up and flooding," Holland said. "It impacted our road infrastructure pretty heavily.

Neskantaga First Nation Still Doesn’t Have Clean Water

Neskantaga First Nation Still Doesn’t Have Clean Water

This past November marked 25 years since Neskantaga First Nation, located in Northwestern Ontario, was placed on a boil water advisory. In October 2020, over 250 Neskantaga residents were evacuated and transferred to a hotel in Thunder Bay after “an oily sheen was found in the Neskantaga water reservoir;” “high levels of hydrocarbons” were discovered in the water after testing. Residents were able to return after two months, but the boil water advisory remains. Chief Chris Moonias has called upon Ontario Premier Doug Ford to support Neskantaga First Nation in securing clean drinking water and properly trained water operators – Ford has yet to respond. Ending all boil-water advisories in Canada can no longer be delayed; Ford must act in accordance with the concerns of the Neskantaga First Nation immediately.

Government of Canada launches consultation process for new Canada Water Agency

Government of Canada launches consultation process for new Canada Water Agency

“Through the Canada Water Agency, our government is looking to strengthen collaboration between the federal government, the provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples and other partners to find the best ways to safeguard our freshwater consultations are an important part of this process and I look forward to input from Canadians,” Terry Duguid said in a statement. Mr. Duguid is Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Wilkinson and has been key in the development process. The discussion paper, ‘Toward the Creation of a Canada Water Agency,’ presents key issues and provides an overview of the federal government’s existing activities to enhance freshwater management, and a virtual national freshwater policy forum is planned for January 27 and 28. A series of regional forums will be held in February that will provide additional opportunities to participate in consultations. The discussion paper and additional information can be found at placespeak.ca. Comments can be submitted until March 1.

After three months without water, the taps are running again in Big Grassy River First Nation

After three months without water, the taps are running again in Big Grassy River First Nation

Water is flowing through the taps once again in Big Grassy River First Nation after three months without consistent, potable water. However, the current water is untreated and coming directly from Lake of the Woods as the community waits for repairs to the water filtration system. The result is that community members have had to go to the beach to collect water for basic sanitation needs, and buildings have been shuttered and the school remains closed to students until a running, drinkable water service is restored.

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