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KASHECHEWAN WATER CRISIS

Kashechewan is a Cree First Nations reserve located in the northern area of Ontario on the north coast of the Albany River. The reserve is in very bad shape, just like every other First Nations reserve, the condition of the reserve contributes a major role to the living situation of its residents. During one winter, the reserve declared a state of emergency due to the lack of fuel and that 21 of their houses would not survive the season. Since the reserve is so far up north, the only way to transfer supplies to the community is by an ice road but that year the ice road didn’t last as long which delayed the repairs of the reserve. Three years ago, more than 450 residents had to move due to flooding.

In Kashechewan, plants like; trees and crops were human-made. There was lots of dug up soil, untouched land, flooded areas, and lots of marshy areas. There were lots of disastrous areas caused by the natural weather. People of the Kashechewan community build small houses, huts, or any kind of shelter for them but they usually don't last long due to the harmful elements.

In October 2005, the Kashechewan community found out that their drinking water had been contaminated. With analysation, their water treatment plant contained E. coli bacteria. Soon after, a maintenance company was sent in to repair the old-aging treatment plant and found that the chlorine injector was broken and was quickly repaired. After four days, the water was once again normal.

In Kashechewan, initial reports noted the presence of E.coli in the reserve’s drinking water. For many years, First Nations communities have suffered from exposure to unsafe drinking water due to inadequate water treatment facilities and a lack of proper sanitation present on their reserves. Explosions in media attention, following the release of photos of infants with severe skin rashes caused by water quality. This resulted in large-scale provincial action.

The conditions of these inhumane reserves have impacted the health and the quality of life of the residents heavily. In October 2005 prior to the discovery of the E. coli bacteria, members of the community were already facing skin related diseases like scabies and impetigo. Hundreds of the residents were evacuated after the discovery of the E. coli contaminated drinking water. Residents often complained of mold in their houses and in the past years, 450 residents had to move due to flooding. In January 2007, 21 people from the Kashechewan community killed themselves because living conditions were unbearable.

Before the Kashechewan Water Crisis, the total median income for First Nations people (AGING FROM 25 TO 54) WAS $19,000 WHILE $30,000 for non-Aboriginals (IN THE SAME AGE GROUP). 85% of the community were facing unemployment in Kashechewan. This then started to widespread social problems which resulted in a lack of social services, educational opportunities, and basic HUMAN RIGHTS.

The First Nations communities have been oppressed for the past few years but that can change. They can organize a protest to make the government hear loud and clear about the problems they are facing. They can also invite a government official to their community and show them what it’s like to live in the situation they’re living in. Also, they can try to be like Shannen Koostachin. Shannen Koostachin fought for her community's rights and spoke to the public about it, it was almost successful until she passed away when she was in a car crash walking on the side of a road.

Governments can help by using/raising funds to clean the water and make it permanently non-toxic.They can make sure that the Kashechewan community has safe drinking water, shelter, and a safe living environment. They can get solar-powered purifiers and have them be exposed to ultraviolet radiation and cleanse the water, making it suitable to drink. Final considerations that the government must approach to First Nations poverty will include; equitable funding, First Nations jurisdiction, nation building and cultural revitalization.

Spatial Significance

Patterns and Trends

Sources

This is an image of the outcome of the E. coli bacteria contamination.

Geographic Perspective

  • Google Maps https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Kashechewan,+ON/@52.2856179,-86.0942712,6z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x4d11f9b0234c2193:0xe5ecfb3c4ddf985c!8m2!3d52.2915189!4d-81.6406983
  • Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/02/kashechewan-first-nation_n_2228050.html
  • Canadian Broadcast Corporation http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/first-nations-housing-not-keeping-up-with-demand-1.1002856
  • Canadian Broadcast Corporation http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/kashechewan-rebuilding-modular-homes-1.3714183
  • Kaschewan Image http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/05/11/kashechewan-flooding-evacuation_n_5307106.html
  • The Canadian Encyclopedia http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/evacuation-of-kashechewan-reserve-an-overreaction/#links
  • Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/03/23/kashechewan-children-skin-rashes-lesions_n_9534604.html
  • Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/02/07/kashechewan_a_community_in_crisis.html
  • Socialist Voice http://www.socialistvoice.ca/?p=75
  • Canadian Geographic https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/still-waiting-attawapiskat
  • Curio https://media.curio.ca/filer_public/f8/4e/f84e2dd8-76c5-4fbf-b9b7-b9d053b4ac2f/kashechewan.pdf
  • Curio https://curio.ca/en/video/toxic-water-the-kashechewan-story-2039/
  • The Star https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/04/25/nearly-1500-residents-of-kashechewan-first-nation-evacuated-due-to-rising-floodwaters.html
  • The Star https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/30/residents-of-kashechewan-first-nation-evacuated-amid-flood-fears.html
  • Statistics Canada http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-645-x/2010001/income-revenu-eng.htm

Interrelationships

This is a map of where Kashechewan is located.

This is an image of the Kashechewan community.

Thank you!

This is an image of Shannen Koostachin (the young lady at the mic) speaking at Parliament hill

Thank you so much for giving us the time to inform you on the water crisis in Kashechewan!

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