Indigenous Affairs

Oneida Nation of the Thames rescinds conserve water alert, but officials say urgent action still needed

Oneida Nation of the Thames rescinds conserve water alert, but officials say urgent action still needed

Oneida Nation of the Thames officials have announced the cancellation of a conserve water alert in the First Nation, after a serious water shortage was first announced on Dec. 16, followed by the declaration of a state of emergency on Dec. 20. Oneida Nation, located just southwest of London, Ont., originally declared a conserve water alert due to the effect of extreme weather conditions on the First Nation's water supply. This put residents under an order to limit water use with the water reserve in the community's water tower, the primary source of water for the 546 homes and 22 buildings in the territory, at all-time low levels.

Water treatment plant opens its doors

Water treatment plant opens its doors

On November 19, 2015, James Smith Cree Nation welcomed about 50 people for an open house at their integrated biological reverse osmosis membrane water treatment plant. The attendees were a mixture of First Nations, James Smith Indian Reserve residents, including James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) Chief, Justin Burns, visitors from Stanley Mission, industry representatives, two representatives from the Water Security Agency, and main presenter, Dr. Hans Peterson.