Kashechewan First Nation chiefs call for faster evacuation after water system failure

Chiefs say Kashechewan is under a state of emergency with no safe drinking water and are calling for a faster evacuation; governments say they are prioritizing evacuation of vulnerable residents and have engaged a specialist to address the water systems.

Kashechewan First Nation is under a state of emergency after the community's water treatment plant and sewage system failed and a do-not-consume water advisory was issued. Mushkegowuk Council chiefs have asked federal and provincial authorities to speed up evacuation and have requested fuller military assistance. Since the Jan. 4 declaration, just under 700 people have been evacuated and chiefs estimate about 1,600 to 1,700 people remain in the fly-in community. The community is also managing a gastrointestinal outbreak and the local health clinic was evacuated because of a sewage backup. What officials reported: - The water treatment plant and sewage system failed and a do-not-consume water advisory is in place. - Just under 700 residents have been evacuated; chiefs estimate about 1,600–1,700 people remain in the community. - Two community members have tested positive for E. coli and the local health clinic was evacuated after a sewage backup. - Indigenous Services Canada said it is prioritizing evacuation of 500 vulnerable people and has enlisted a company that specializes in water and wastewater management; provincial authorities said they are working with federal and First Nations leadership. Summary: Chiefs describe the community as not safe to live in and have urged faster evacuation and attention to long-standing infrastructure concerns. Governments report they are prioritizing evacuation of vulnerable residents and have engaged a specialist to address the water and wastewater systems, but chiefs say requests for fuller military assistance have not been fully met. Timelines for broader relocation remain undetermined at this time.