Question Period Note: Neskantaga First Nation

N.A.

• At the request of Neskantaga First Nation leadership, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) supported the evacuation of vulnerable members to Thunder Bay after flooding, and a fuel smell was reported at the nursing station.
• Community members returned once most health services were relocated to a temporary site. The Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre has since reopened and now offers all services, including x-ray, which is operational and transmits images electronically.
• Since 2020, ISC has invested over $155 million to support community priorities, infrastructure, and health and well-being.

Nursing station emergency
On April 14, 2025, Neskantaga First Nation declared a state of emergency due to flooding and a strong odor of fuel in the basement of the Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre. The nursing station was closed, and ISC worked with partners to immediately set up a temporary nursing station across the street staffed with ISC nurses to provide emerging care. The temporary nursing station was then moved to a more suitable duplex and set-up to provide full health care services with the exception of dental, x-ray, and telehealth. ISC’s Health Emergency Management attends coordinated partner calls to respond to the state of emergency and evacuation. Gradual repatriation back to the community began on May 18, 2025. Testing was coordinated by Matawa Tribal Council, and the nursing station was deemed safe. Additional testing was conducted at the request of the First Nation.
Water
To date, ISC has invested $31.5 million towards water and wastewater in Neskantaga First Nation, including $20.9 million for upgrades to the community’s water treatment plant and $6.5 million in operational supports, an additional $4.1 million for related wastewater system upgrades, and for full-time operational oversight of the water system and training of local operators. Construction of the water treatment system is substantially complete, and the system was commissioned in December 2020; however, to be fully operational, some additional work is required. Canada is working closely with the First Nation and their consultant to complete the work at the current plant through a co-developed 12-point action plan. In February 2024, ISC committed to fund the design stage of the community’s new water treatment plant project to meet Neskantaga’s long-term infrastructure and water needs. ISC also supported the community to undertake a Water Systems Infrastructure Assessment to identify needs to ensure system suitability for long-term community growth.
Health Facilities
ISC provides annual formula funding for the operation and maintenance of First Nation-owned health facilities, including the Rachel Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre.
In 2023-24, ISC provided $2,489,943 to upgrade the nursing station’s fuel tank storage and distribution system.
In 2025-26, ISC provided $588,712 to date for assessments and early restoration activities at the nursing station
Choose Life and Jordan’s Principle
To date in 2025-2026, Neskantaga First Nation received $597,891 under Jordan’s Principle for education expenses.
The decision is pending for Neskantaga First Nation's Choose Life application in the amount of $3,809,878.
Neskantaga First Nation’s Jordan's Principle application has been approved for $1,418,032 and has a decision pending in the amount of $46,090.
Mental Wellness
ISC works with First Nations and partners to discuss long-term mental wellness goals and crisis prevention; identify and assess gaps in services; connect communities to resources and programs and advocate on their behalf; and identify system level gaps to improve how the department supports communities, partners and leadership to build capacity. Neskantaga First Nation also receives funding from the department for comprehensive opioid agonist therapy wraparound services. In addition to these services, the Matawa First Nations Management Mental Wellness Team provides mental wellness supports to Neskantaga First Nation.

If pressed on nursing station emergency
• The Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre reopened on November 17, 2025. All services are available.
• Air quality testing, soil testing, and occupational health and safety inspections have been completed, and the nursing station has been deemed safe by the technical experts. If pressed on commitments and updates to Neskantaga’s water infrastructure and advisory
• ISC regularly monitors a twelve-point action plan with the First Nation to address treatment system deficiencies. Five points have been completed; seven action items are in progress.
• Neskantaga First Nation used the winter road to transport materials for expansion and repairs to the piped water distribution system, expected to begin in summer 2025.
• Upon completion of remaining action items, validation testing will be required for the Environmental Public Health Officer to recommend a lift of the boil water advisory to Chief and Council. If pressed on commitments and updates made to improve housing and infrastructure
• From 2016-2017 to 2024-2025, ISC has invested over $28 million for housing in Neskantaga First Nation, including $20 million in one-time enhanced housing funding for the community to use at its discretion to support housing needs.
• ISC also funded $100,000 through Matawa Tribal Council to assist their Member First Nations with capacity needs and project management support, which included Neskantaga First Nation. If pressed on commitments and update made to address access to health services
• The Government of Canada recognizes that accessibility of quality federally funded health services is key to achieving physical and mental wellness for Indigenous Peoples.
• ISC works with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
• ISC will work closely with partners to offer various in-community programs that remove barriers and support access to a wide range of health services for First Nations. If pressed on substance use
• The Government of Canada recognizes rising opioid and substance use as a serious public health crisis in Ontario, particularly in First Nations communities.
• Ontario has eleven federally funded treatment centres: ten inpatient facilities offering 132 beds and one outpatient centre serving up to 228 patients; two centres focus on youth.
• To address ongoing opioid-related harms, funding supports Opioid Agonist Therapy and wraparound services in 30 First Nation communities, including Neskantaga First Nation. If pressed on funding provided for substance use
• Indigenous Services Canada is investing approximately $768M in 2025-2026 for Indigenous mental wellness, including support for Indigenous-led, community-based, and culturally relevant substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
• Neskantaga First Nation receives Mental Wellness Program funding to deliver culturally meaningful mental wellness services and supports, including Opioid Agonist Therapy and comprehensive wraparound services. If pressed on mental wellness
• The Government understands the significant inter-generational impact of colonization and residential schools has had on the mental health and substance use for many Indigenous peoples and communities.
• ISC continues to work with First Nation communities, partners, and service providers to implement a continuum of mental health, wellness and substance use treatment services.
• ISC and the Province of Ontario co-fund 19 Mental Wellness Teams in Ontario. One additional MWT is funded solely by ISC for a total of 20 Teams. If pressed on ISC supports for Neskantaga youth
• Mental wellness for Indigenous children and youth is a priority for the Government of Canada. Budget 2024 announced the Youth Mental Health Fund to help young people access timely mental health care.
• Through this investment, Indigenous Services Canada administers funding to improve the availability, accessibility, quality, and effectiveness of mental wellness services and supports for First Nations youth on reserve.
• The Choose Life initiative provides immediate relief for youth at risk of suicide by fast-tracking funding for prevention and intervention programs, services, and supports.