Thunder Bay, ON — Just days after returning home following a wildfire-driven evacuation, members of Neskantaga First Nation find themselves forced to leave their homes again.
The newest evacuation for the remote northwestern Ontario citizens comes after a sewage leak in the community's health centre, Chief Gary Quisses advised. The area has declared a state of critical incident. Quisses indicated the sewage leak happened while a contractor was working on the building.
"It's very disappointing," he confirmed, adding he worries about the mental health toll on people who will have to leave their home for a second time this summer. This is the second time Neskantaga has been evacuated over issues at the health centre; last year, the communitywas evacuated over a flood and smell of fuel at the centre. Regarding the sewage leak, Quisses stated "the option is to dig up the whole thing, take out all the contaminants out of there," he declared. "Now the whole building is pretty much impacted, and when the engineers came yesterday, they confirmed it's contaminated, we have to dig it out." Neskantaga First Nation calls on province to communicate better amid forest fire urgent situation Neskantaga First Nation questions Bill C-37 as Ottawa promises action on decades-long drinking water crisis In a statement to CBC News, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) spokesperson Jennifer Cooper stated ISC was in "immediate contact" with Neskantaga on Aug.
4, 2026, to work with the First Nation’s contractor to assess the situation at the health facility and discuss next steps," the statement reads.
3 when the sewage leak was identified. "ISC staff arrived in the region on Aug. 4, 2026, to work with the First Nation’s contractor to assess the situation at the health facility and discuss next steps," the statement reads. "Their assessment will be shared with First Nations leadership and decisions on restoring the facility will be led by the First Nation in discussion with ISC and collaborators." Amid year-long state of crisis, Neskantaga First Nation calls for health-care intervention How Neskantaga First Nation is taking back ownership of its child and family services "Partner coordination calls to respond to the needs of the Nation began immediately on Aug. 3, 2026, and remain ongoing. Collaborators include the First Nation, ISC, the province, Matawa First Nations Management, Ornge, local residents contractor, and other collaborators. Jointly we will continue to assist the Nation as the situation evolves." Cooper advised nursing staff are available to respond to emergencies in Neskantaga, and Ornge aircraft are available if medivacs are required. "ISC is currently in the process of establishing an alternate location for the delivery of health services while the health facility is unavailable," the statement reads. Kris Ketonen is a reporter with CBC Thunder Bay. Send story ideas to kris.ketonen@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ August 06, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
