Getting to know the community of Neskantaga First Nation Ontario.
Getting to know the community of Neskantaga First Nation Ontario.
Link to the “Communities” section
P.O Box 105, Lansdowne House. Ontario P0T 1Z0. 1 (807) 479-2570
Neskantaga First Nation is remotely located on Attawapiskat Lake, 280 km north of Geraldton, 180 km northeast of Pickle Lake, and 271 km northeast of Thunder Bay. The First Nation can be accessed fly-in or by winter roads.
http://community.matawa.on.ca/community/neskantaga-first-nation/
Neskantaga First Nation (formerly known as Lansdowne House Indian Band) is a remote Oji-Cree First Nation band government in the northern reaches of the Canadian province of Ontario, situated along the shore of Attawapiskat Lake in the District of Kenora.
The First Nation is a signatory to Treaty 9 (originally as part of the Fort Hope Band) and has reserved for itself the 831.50 hectares (2,054.7 acres) Neskantaga Indian Reserve, containing the main community of Lansdowne House Indian Settlement on Attawapiskat Lake. Associated with the Neskantaga First Nation is the Summer Beaver Indian Settlement, which is shared with Nibinamik First Nation. The Lansdowne House is linked to the rest of Ontario by the Lansdowne House Airport, and by winter roads and ice roads to points south, via the Northern Ontario Resource Trail. As of November 2011, there is a total registered population of 414 people, of whom 304 people live on their own reserve.
Northern Light Mission Trips have been conducted for the children of the community by members of the Tintern Church of Christ in Beamsville, Ontario.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neskantaga_First_Nation
Neskantaga First Nation is a remote fly-in community located 480 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay with a population of 421 people – youth making up over 75 per cent of the population. The community is faced with many challenges including a high rate of prescription drug abuse (approximately 50 per cent of population), issues of sexual abuse, poor water quality (currently under a boil water advisory), inadequate policing services, and having no access to proper mental health and addictions treatments and counselling.
http://www.nan.on.ca/upload/documents/nr-neskantaga—april2013.pdf
The First Nation’s council is a member of the Matawa First Nations, a local Chiefs Council, and of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a Tribal Political Organisation representing most of the First Nations in northern Ontario.
Schools
- Neskantaga Education Centre;
- Neskantaga Elementary School;
- Keewayintook Internet High School(KiHS) – Offers a variety of grade 9 to 12 courses including PLAR and CO-OP.
Student body is approximately 45 students in elementary school and 10 students in high school. Description (Service) Operates an on-reserve school for elementary students from the community Offers a full curriculum for students from JK-Grade 8 . Teaches Native language as a subject course Provides supervised extra-curricular activities. Offers a week of cultural activities and programs in the spring and a week in the fall. (http://search.211north.ca/record/KEN0358)
Health Care
- Keewaytinook OkimakanakTelemedicine (KOTM) – Neskantaga Site;
- Neskantaga Health & Social Services.
Other
- Neskantaga Band Office;
- Neskantaga Northern Store.
Neskantaga is policed by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, an Aboriginal-based service. In 2010, a new community complex was built after a fire destroyed the former community complex.
Band Council: Chief and Council: 2015
Peter Moonias. First Nation Chief. 479-2570 petermoonias@knet.ca
Chris Moonias. First Nation Councillor / Band Manager. 479-2570 Ext. 29
chris.moonias@neskantaga.com
Kelvin Moonias. First Nation Councillor. 479-2570 Ext. 61
kelvin.moonias@neskantaga.com
William Moonias. First Nation Councillor. 479-2570 Ext. 23
william.moonias@neskantaga.com
Bill Mequanawap. First Nation Councillor. 479-2570 Ext. 25
bill.mequanawap@neskantaga.com
Articles
Statement by Chief Monias about the Ring of Fire 2012
List links to mining (Ring of Fire) Issues
http://neskantaga.com/news.htm
Shocking article about 27 attempted suicides, 7 completed in town of 400- in 2013
Social services cost to balloon near ring of fire. 2014
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/03/ring-of-fire-social-services-costs_n_4537990.html
Dirty water in First Nations communities 2015
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/chelsea-vowel/unsafe-water-first-nations-canada_b_2094827.html
Call to action about suicide in Neskantanga (3 minute audio) Jan 2014
State of emergency due to suicides. News release
http://www.nan.on.ca/upload/documents/nr-neskantaga—april2013.pdf
National Post suicide crisis article
Taking mining companies to court 2012
http://canadians.org/media/water/2012/05-Jul-12.html
Videos
“Neskantaga, I love my land” video 3 min 20 secs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYGcaZBvuP8&feature=youtu.be
Towns pictures on Flicker
https://www.flickr.com/photos/109994158@N08/11288739556/in/album-72157638508360943/lightbox/
Ryerson Art display 2014. Suicide issue addressed.
CTV news suicide prevention 2013. Interview with Chief Monias. Pictures of community.
Flying to community (1 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnWNFrInPw
winter scene (19 seconds)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1JvwKTYqls
RCMP toys for the north (1 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbRq1z6oZGI
New Hope for Neskantaga (2014) CBC news
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5-0yCrkVog
Aboriginal mental health Documentary (59 min) 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROThJEv_THA
Valuing water protection 2014 (2 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n85_ILBzWns
Teenage girls jigging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMa-Di0awtc
Halloween dance 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQuCkg6Nji8
Aecon remote training center (2 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW6p9c56YyQ
Clyde Moonias on suicide prevention (8 min) 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHCt7D_J1eY
Hockey and boot hockey game 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0yArH_izEg
Suicide and airport closure 2014.(8 min) Phone conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzCiW9VThBs
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