Kashechewan Deserves Better: Leadership Call for Action and Long-Term Solutions to Crisis in Kashechewan First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation: Leaders from Kashechewan First Nation, Mushkegowuk Council, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Chiefs of Ontario have expressed frustration with the lack of response by the governments of Ontario and Canada after visiting the remote Cree community to support Chief and Council during another full-scale evacuation.

A critical infrastructure failure forced Chief Hosea Wesley and Council to declare a state of emergency on Jan. 4, 2026, and a full-scale evacuation two days later. The failure of the water system has flooded the community’s only healthcare facility with raw sewage and crippled vital infrastructure, posing an immediate and serious risk to public health and safety.

The community is also forced to evacuate each year due to flooding. Since the emergency was declared, the response from both levels of government has been slow and inadequate. Federal and provincial ministers, along with the MP for this region, have been invited to visit the community to see the conditions that the members of Kashechewan First Nation are facing, and have faced for years. None prioritized this visit.

In 2019, Kashechewan signed the Together We Work for Hope framework agreement with Ontario and Canada for the safety, health and ongoing sustainability of Kashechewan First Nation, which includes relocating the community to higher ground. The commitments have been made, and the community cannot wait any longer.

“There will be no more Band-Aid solutions in my community,” said Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley. “I am calling on Canada and Ontario to fast-track the relocation of the community.”

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler called on Premier Ford and Prime Minister Carney to prioritize the relocation, so this community will be able to look ahead to the future with hope.

“Kashechewan is quiet,” said Mushkegowuk Deputy Grand Chief Natasha Martin. “The children are gone at a time they should be playing outside or playing at school. But despite this, Kashechewan is resilient. Kashechewan is strong.”

“First Nations in Ontario face a massive infrastructure gap. Unfortunately, Kashechewan is showing the world what can happen when that infrastructure fails,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “Both levels of government need to work quickly to assist with this evacuation. And then we need to tackle the bigger issue: We need to close the infrastructure gap. For Kashechewan and for all First Nations.”

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca