For the first time in 17 years there is no longer a drinking water advisory on Star Blanket Cree Nation.┬а
The community of approximately 300 people is located 100 km northeast of Regina but has been┬аwithout safe drinking water since 2007.┬а
This morning at a ceremony on┬аStar Blanket, Chief Michael Starr was joined by Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu, where they announced the advisory had been┬аofficially lifted.┬а
“Seventeen years is a really long time to live in fear of water and fear of illness and having to live in a way that most Canadians don’t have to live,” Hajdu said.┬а
“So first, I just want to say I’m sorry┬аthat this has happened to you as part of the overwhelming aspect of colonialism.”┬а
A new $10.5 million water treatment station opened on the nation earlier this month тАФ providing drinkable and potable water to 112 homes on Star Blanket and┬аneighbouring reserves.┬а
Chief Starr described how for years community members would often see water with different colour depending on where they were located on the reserve. ┬а
He said┬аlifting the drinking water advisory has been “a long time coming” but that many people┬аpeople will need time to adjust to being able to freely use the water from their tap.┬а
“They feel a little bit unsure in their minds that they can utilize the water but over time that will come. They’ll feel more comfortable as time goes along,” Starr said.┬а
Hajdu said seeing the infrastructure in-person and being┬аshown the completed water┬аfacility was important for reconciliation.┬а
She admits more needs to be done for First Nations communities across the country.┬а
Hajdu┬аpointed to the 31 First Nations across Canada that continue to have long-term drinking water advisories, five of which are in Saskatchewan.┬а┬а
“It takes commitment and it takes attention. If we don’t talk about the importance of equity for┬аFirst Nations people, it will not happen,” Hajdu said.┬а