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BACKGROUNDER
Six Nations of the Grand River
The Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation is one of the largest
and most highly advanced First Nations in Canada. It has a membership
of about 21,700 people, approximately 11,000 of whom live on-reserve.
In 2005-2006, Six Nations will receive $17,502,000 in funding from Indian
and Northern Affairs Canada. Following are some examples of the activities
for which this funding is intended:
- $7,987,800 for Post Secondary and Elementary education. Six Nations
is home to five federally operated schools and one Band Council operated
school.
- $2,335,000 for Operation and Maintenance of infrastructure on-reserve.
- $785,400 for Housing. There are roughly 2,674 homes on-reserve,
of which about 301 are located in the Village of Ohsweken. The remainder
of the homes are located across the reserve in a rural settlement pattern.
There are on average 4.1 people per household.
The 301 houses in the Village of Ohsweken are serviced by piped water
from an existing INAC funded communal water treatment plant. In November
2005, INAC announced that the aging water treatment plant would be replaced
by a new one. Completion of this project is scheduled for late 2007 at
a cost of approximately $10 million. The remainder of the homes across
the reserve are serviced by individual private wells and individual septic
disposal systems. Throughout Ontario, the construction and maintenance
of private individual wells, in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities,
is considered the responsibility of homeowners.
In March 2004, concerns were raised regarding both E. Coli contamination
of many of the rural individual private wells, and the tendency for some
wells to run dry at certain times of the year. These residents have access
to potable water from the communal plant.
On April 26, 2004 former INAC Minister Andy Mitchell announced the appointment
of the Honourable Doug Frith as his Special Representative on water issues
at Six Nations of the Grand River. Mr. Frith has been working with the
various parties to oversee the development of solutions to ensure that
all individual well users have access to safe potable water. Since then,
the department has funded a hydrogeological study, and a study of short-term
water supply options. Both studies have been completed at a cost of $390,900.
In November 2004, the department also approved $20,000 to study how Six
Nations of the Grand River could develop and implement permit procedures
for individual wells and septics, and other services involved in the construction
and renovation of homes.
In May 2005, results of the hydrogeological and well assessment studies
were released. The reports recommend ten alternatives, ranging from remediating
and replacing existing wells to expanding the piped water system through
the entire community. Costs for these options range from $30 million to
$175 million. These studies also show that the water contamination is
linked to poor design, siting, construction, and maintenance of individual
water wells.
As an interim measure, until a mutually agreed upon approach to address
the well water contamination is identified, INAC has approved funding
up to $400,000 for the distribution of bottled water for the elderly,
immuno-compromised, and infants residing in homes that are not connected
to the communal water treatment plant. Residents can also obtain water
at the communal water plant.
For more information, please contact:
Brock Worobel
Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Ontario Region
416-973-2158
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