Neslkantaga First Nation

P.O . Box 105 Lansdowne House, ON POT lZ0

Telephone: (807) 479 2570
~ Fax: (807) 479 1138
~

February 16, 2019

Indigenous Services Canada

10 rue Wellington
Gatineau, QC KlA 0H4

Attention: The Honourable Seamus O'Regan

Dear: Minister O'Regan

RE: Neskantaga First Nation Water Emergency

We write to you on behalf of the community members ofNeskantaga First Nation to request an in-person
meeting next week.

The community is still without the ability to drink water from our taps and the boil water advisory
continues. The community, as well as all Canadians, require clean drinking water as this is a basic human
right. Neskantaga First Nation has declared a State of Emergency with respect to the lack of viable
drinking water in the community.

Our community requires bottled water until such time as our Water Treatment Plant is operational and the
boil water advisory can be lifted in our community. The community is tired ofrelying on a compromised
Reverse Osmosis Unit, which is not producing safe drinking water. The effects of a 25-year boil water
advisory are evident in all members of the community and we need your support in finally bringing the
basic human right of clean drinking water back to Neskantaga.

We would also like to invite you to personally attend in the community after our in-person meeting so
you can see for yourself the struggles the community is facing during this boiled water advisory.

This matter is of great importance and we look forward to your support and reply.

Respectfully yours,

Chief Wayne Moonias

cc. Nishnawbe Aski Nation - Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

Chiefs of Ontario - Ontario Regional Chief Rose Anne Archibald
Assembly of First Nations - National Chief Perry Bellegarde
Indigenous Services Canada - Regional Director General, Anne Scotton