[All] Fw: Response to correspondence of September 21, 2019 re: Grassy Narrows (MIN-A3233)

[Lanteigne]

Update on Grassy Narrows. 
A letter of reaponse from Indigenous Services Canada.
Lulu 

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 
 
   ----- Forwarded message ----- From: "Conn, Keith (SAC/ISC)" <keith.conn at canada.ca> To: "water.lulu at yahoo.ca" <water.lulu at yahoo.ca> Cc:  Sent: Wed., 22 Jul. 2020 at 1:26 p.m. Subject: Response to correspondence of September 21, 2019 re: Grassy Narrows (MIN-A3233)   <!--#yiv8117778676 _filtered {} _filtered {}#yiv8117778676 #yiv8117778676 p.yiv8117778676MsoNormal, #yiv8117778676 li.yiv8117778676MsoNormal, #yiv8117778676 div.yiv8117778676MsoNormal {margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0cm;line-height:105%;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;}#yiv8117778676 a:link, #yiv8117778676 span.yiv8117778676MsoHyperlink {color:#0563C1;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8117778676 a:visited, #yiv8117778676 span.yiv8117778676MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:#954F72;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8117778676 span.yiv8117778676EmailStyle17 {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv8117778676 .yiv8117778676MsoChpDefault {font-family:"Calibri", sans-serif;} _filtered {}#yiv8117778676 div.yiv8117778676WordSection1 {}-->
Dear Ms. Lanteigne,
 
I am in receipt of your correspondence of September 21, 2019, to the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, regarding the situation in Grassy Narrows First Nation. I have been asked to reply to your concerns, and I regret the delay in responding. 
 
  
 
First, I would like to thank you sincerely for taking the time to write about this critical situation, and to assure you that addressing the issue of mercury contamination and its potential health effects is a priority for the Government of Canada. The Government recognizes that the community of Grassy Narrows has been dramatically affected by mercury in the English-Wabigoon river system and that members of the community suffer health issues to this day. We share the community’s goal of finding a solution that meets their needs.
 
  
 
As you already know, on November 29, 2017, the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada committed to fund a Mercury Health Facility for members of Grassy Narrows First Nation. As a first step, funding was provided to the community to complete a Functional Assessment Study for the Mercury Health Facility.
 
  
 
On December 4, 2019, Minister Miller met with Chief Rudy Turtle of Grassy Narrows to discuss next steps to advance work being undertaken to support thespecific health and assisted-living needs of Grassy Narrows First Nation. The Department remains committed to working in close partnership with the community to reach an agreement that will adequately meet their short- and long-term health needs and ensure residents get the required services as soon as possible. 
 
  
 
I am pleased to report that on April 2, 2020, Grassy Narrows First Nation and the Government of Canada signed a framework agreement to build a $19.5M mercury treatment home. This facility will provide community members with access to specialized health care services closer to their community and family support systems.
 
  
 
Regarding the community’s water supply, rest assured that the issue of safe drinking water is a priority for the Government and we are committed to fix this longstanding problem in Grassy Narrows First Nation. Indigenous Services Canada is aware of the issue at the community water plant, which is why a precautionary Water Advisory was recommended to Grassy Narrows’ leadership. Officials in this Department are working with the community and other partners to find a permanent solution. A feasibility study is currently underway to develop longer-term solutions and provide direction on the scope and details of the repairs needed.
 
  
 
>From 2015 to 2018 the governments of Canada and Ontario funded a community-led health assessment to determine the health status of community members, with a component of the study focusing on mercury. 
 
  
 
The Community Health Assessment was tabled in November 2017, with an additional Children’s report executive summary released in May 2018. Both reports included recommendations, one of which is to establish a Health and Well-Being Table to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the recommendations. These recommendations included the establishment of food security programs. Indigenous Services Canada is continuing discussions with the community concerning support for the establishment of the Health and Well-Being Table.
 
  
 
In closing, I recognize the lasting effects of mercury contamination on the families of Grassy Narrows First Nation and wish to assure you that the federal government is committed to working with the community’s leadership to address the situation and to ensure that the immediate and long-term health needs of the members of this community are met.
 
  
 
Sincerely,
 
  
 
Keith Conn
 
Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations
 
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
 
Indigenous Services Canada / Government of Canada
 
  
 
  
   
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