Marten Falls

Marten Falls First Nation declares state of emergency after shutdown of water treatment plant

Marten Falls First Nation declares state of emergency after shutdown of water treatment plant

A state of emergency has been declared in Marten Falls First Nation after the community's water treatment plant failed. Community members in the remote First Nation in northwestern Ontario, about 440 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, had been without water for two days when the declaration was announced on Wednesday. Marten Falls Chief Bruce Achneepineskum said community leaders are out of options to address the situation.

The trouble behind Canada's failed First Nations water plants

The trouble behind Canada's failed First Nations water plants

Behind every failed First Nations water plant is an unfortunate story. Assigning blame can be challenging: Although Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) pays for most on-reserve infrastructure and sets most of the rules governing design and construction, many other parties are involved, including project managers, engineering and construction firms and First Nations chiefs and councillors.