Potlotek

'It’s safe to drink – I drink it': Potlotek's water crisis is in the past but the fear remains

'It’s safe to drink – I drink it': Potlotek's water crisis is in the past but the fear remains

A half-century of dirty water is in the past for Cape Breton’s smallest Mi’kmaw community, but the fear and distrust remain, keeping some residents from drinking the water. A half-century of dirty water is in the past for Cape Breton’s smallest Mi’kmaw community, but the fear and distrust remain, keeping some residents from drinking the water. “I know a lot of people still don’t trust it – they’re still scared of it, and I don’t blame them. It’s been since 1972, 1974 that we’ve had ongoing problems with the water,” said long-time Potlotek chief, Wilbert Marshall. A new, state-of-the-art water treatment facility was built in 2019 aimed at eliminating the issues with excess iron and magnesium in the water supply.

First Nations-led water authority in Mi'kma'ki sees $173 million investment in federal budget

First Nations-led water authority in Mi'kma'ki sees $173 million investment in federal budget

The federal government’s proposed 2022 budget includes millions for a first-of-its-kind Indigenous-led water authority to assume responsibility for water systems in First Nations communities. Indigenous Services Canada is set to receive $173 million in funding over 10 years to support the transfer of water and wastewater services in 17 First Nations communities in Eastern Canada to the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority. “We were optimistic about the budget submission but did not want to get ahead of ourselves leading up to the announcement. As Chief of a community that faced problems with its water for many years, (Thursday’s) announcement is a huge step in the right direction,” Potlotek Chief Wilbert Marshall, chair of the water authority’s board of directors said in a written statement.

Compensation available to Cape Breton community after decades of dirty water

Compensation available to Cape Breton community after decades of dirty water

When Patricia Paul saw her bathtub filling with cloudy, brown water, she decided she’d had enough. She took a photo of the scene: three inches of water so thick and dark, the bottom of the tub couldn’t be seen – a sharp contrast to the white plastic tub walls decorated with duck and turtle stickers for her young children. “It was almost black, and it smelled gross,” Paul remembers.

First Nations chiefs blast feds over Potlotek water woes

First Nations chiefs blast feds over Potlotek water woes

On Monday, people in Cape Breton reserve advised not to use tap water to wash clothes, bathe or drink
A group of First Nations chiefs in Atlantic Canada is blasting the federal government for what it sees as a lack of action in fixing the yearlong water problem in Potlotek First Nation in Cape Breton.