PikangikumPikangikumFirst NationFirst Nation

Water ProjectWater Project

Why Pikangikum?Why Pikangikum?• 2008 – 2011 – highest suicide rate in 2008 – 2011 – highest suicide rate in

the world;the world;

• Young people need a chance;Young people need a chance;

• Many of the suicides are a result of Many of the suicides are a result of bullying caused by lack of water;bullying caused by lack of water;

• Government claims the cost of water Government claims the cost of water is too high.is too high.

Pikangikum First Nation is:Pikangikum First Nation is:

• 100 km. north of Red Lake;100 km. north of Red Lake;

• In Ontario but near the Manitoba In Ontario but near the Manitoba border;border;• 2,400 people living in a remote fly-in 2,400 people living in a remote fly-in community.community.

Water nowWater now• The Elders were asked to prioritize The Elders were asked to prioritize

the needs of the community;the needs of the community;

Chief Dean Owen raising funds for a CT

scanner for Sioux Lookout Health

Centre

• Housing and water are number one Housing and water are number one on the list;on the list;

Present water ConditionsPresent water Conditions

Water treatment plant – Water treatment plant – people walk to the plant to people walk to the plant to

get waterget water

Or they can walk to one of Or they can walk to one of two outlets (easily two outlets (easily

contaminated)contaminated)

How do you shower from a How do you shower from a jerry can of water?jerry can of water?

Federal GovernmentFederal Government • Government assessment of putting Government assessment of putting

water into homes at least $2million water into homes at least $2million per household - so they walked away;per household - so they walked away;

• Pikangikum Working Group say Pikangikum Working Group say $35,000. per household.$35,000. per household.

HousingHousing

Mould in housing caused Mould in housing caused illness and forced 25 of 30 illness and forced 25 of 30 teachers to leave the teachers to leave the community in January, community in January, 2012.2012.

Mould found in the Mould found in the best homes and best homes and they were fixed – they were fixed – what about where what about where the children live ?the children live ?

Average – 18 people Average – 18 people per houseper house

Young peopleYoung people

SuicideSuicide

EnidEnid’’s Blog from Viking s Blog from Viking IslandIsland

Pikangikum,…has been the suicide center of the world Pikangikum,…has been the suicide center of the world for the past 20 years.  Gas sniffing and alcohol abuse for the past 20 years.  Gas sniffing and alcohol abuse are rampant … amongst young people. are rampant … amongst young people.   

People here are working hard to make changes People here are working hard to make changes … They are working through land planning to bring … They are working through land planning to bring employment … no intention of moving away despite employment … no intention of moving away despite the problems.the problems.

This part of Canada is beautiful. We are This part of Canada is beautiful. We are surrounded by nature and true wilderness....but surrounded by nature and true wilderness....but all is not heaven.all is not heaven.

SchoolingSchooling

• In 2007, Minister of Indian Affairs, In 2007, Minister of Indian Affairs, promised $46 million for school promised $46 million for school upgrades, water and wastewater upgrades, water and wastewater systems improvements. systems improvements.

• Six years later, nothing has happened. Six years later, nothing has happened.

An Elder speaks…An Elder speaks…• I want :I want :• the children to have running water, hot baths, the children to have running water, hot baths,

cosy pyjamas, and warm beds;cosy pyjamas, and warm beds;

• I want them to feel safe and optimistic about their I want them to feel safe and optimistic about their future.future.

• the rates of addiction … and suicides to the rates of addiction … and suicides to plunge…plunge…

• the children to have a stable school environment;the children to have a stable school environment;

DonDon’’t we all want these gifts t we all want these gifts forfor

•our children, our children,

•our grandchildren, our grandchildren,

•our nationour nation’’s children?s children?

The Project leaders want it The Project leaders want it too…too…

• Robert (Bob) White, MBA, BASc, PEng, CMCRobert (Bob) White, MBA, BASc, PEng, CMCBRI INTERNATIONAL http://www.bri.ca/aboriginal.htmlBRI INTERNATIONAL http://www.bri.ca/aboriginal.html

• David Steeves, P. Eng. – Consultant, David Steeves, P. Eng. – Consultant, Organizational ManagementOrganizational Management

• Irving Leblanc, A/Director, Housing and Irving Leblanc, A/Director, Housing and Infrastructure, Assembly of First Infrastructure, Assembly of First

Nations & Nations & Water SpecialistWater Specialist

We pray for them to have strength in their effortsWe pray for them to have strength in their efforts

What will help…What will help…Informal & Formal Partnerships with…Informal & Formal Partnerships with…• Pikangikum First Nations Elders & Pikangikum First Nations Elders & CommunityCommunity• PrimatePrimate’’s World Relief and Development s World Relief and Development FundFund• Charles Catto, Frontiers Foundation Inc.Charles Catto, Frontiers Foundation Inc.

• Food Security Research Network, Food Security Research Network, Lakehead Lakehead University University

• Toronto Anglican DioceseToronto Anglican Diocese and various and various churches of many denominationschurches of many denominations

Projects Planned & InitiatedProjects Planned & Initiated•Water and wastewater service to some Water and wastewater service to some homes – homes – 20 homes this year20 homes this year

•Clothing, food and bedding campaignClothing, food and bedding campaignNov 19-Dec 14Nov 19-Dec 14

•Youth programs supportYouth programs support

•Food production adapting for climate Food production adapting for climate change change

•Portable lumber mill - construction of Portable lumber mill - construction of houses & food production facility -houses & food production facility - lumber lumber for 10 housesfor 10 houses

More Projects PlannedMore Projects Planned

• Tourism and economic development Tourism and economic development

• Educational support Educational support – assisting school dev.– assisting school dev.

• U of T Research Project U of T Research Project – diesel generation– diesel generation

• Retrofitting existing homesRetrofitting existing homes

• Business Development InitiativesBusiness Development Initiatives

Other Initiatives DevelopingOther Initiatives Developing

• Volunteer Development and Volunteer Development and managementmanagement

• Young couple - youth coordinators Young couple - youth coordinators

• Halfway house for recovering addicts Halfway house for recovering addicts

• Vocational  training, implement a CO-Vocational  training, implement a CO-OPOP

How you can help…How you can help…

Stay informed- donStay informed- don’’t t just believe what youjust believe what you’’re toldre told

DonDon’’t stereotype – t stereotype – Natives are in every Natives are in every walk of lifewalk of life

Advocate for youthAdvocate for youth

Donate to PWRDFDonate to PWRDF

Bishop Mark Macdonald

James Bartleman

Lt. Gov. of Ontario

ItIt’’s not about laying blame — its not about laying blame — it’’s about s about children and their liveschildren and their lives

Not thisNot this

How will you help ?How will you help ?