STAR BLANKET CREE NATION, TREATY 4
TERRITORY, SK, July 25, 2024 /CNW/ - A new
state-of-the-art water treatment plant is providing clean drinking
water to all homes and supporting Star Blanket Cree Nation in
living without a drinking water advisory for the first time in over
17 years. The community's dedication and commitment to providing
clean, safe drinking water has helped them to lift the boil water
advisory that had been in effect since 2007 for the 300 residents
living on reserve.
Star Blanket Cree Nation Chief Michael
Starr met with Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, Elders, and community members, to
acknowledge the milestone of lifting the long-term drinking water
advisory. The advisory on the Star Blanket Public Water System
affected 82 homes and community buildings, including the healthcare
facility, Early Learning Centre, and band office.
Along with the significant accomplishment of building a new
water treatment plant, the Chief and Council also implemented a
Water Treatment Plant Operations strategy to address operational
challenges. The Circuit Rider Training Program and local
Environmental Public Health Officer continue to support the
community and water operators, who play a vital role in keeping the
water clean and safe to use.
Quotes
"The completion and opening of our new water treatment plant
brings great pride as we announce the lifting of the boil water
advisory. Water is essential to all Life. This memorable moment in
our history aligns with our traditions and beliefs. We honour the
Water and what it represents to our community. We can now use the
water feeling comfort knowing the water is clean and safe to
consume."
Chief Michael Starr
Star Blanket Cree Nation
"For too long, the people of Star Blanket Cree Nation couldn't
trust the water coming out of their taps. This time is over. Thanks
to the dedication of Star Blanket Cree Nation, community members
now have reliable access to safe drinking water for generations to
come. Their work is moving us further on the path to
reconciliation. There are now 70% fewer long-term drinking water
advisories in First Nation communities across Canada than in 2015. And there is a plan in
place to address all the remaining ones."
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services
Quick facts
- Star Blanket Cree Nation is home to approximately 300 residents
and is located nearly 90 km northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan.
- A community event was held on July 4,
2024, to celebrate the grand opening of the new $10.5 million facility that uses biological
filtration and membrane treatment to clean the source water.
- The project also included drilling a new raw water well,
construction of a raw water line, rehabilitation of an existing raw
water well and flushing of the water distribution system.
- As of July 25, 2024, there are
five active, long-term drinking water advisories on public systems
on reserve in Saskatchewan and 31
active, long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on
reserve in Canada.
- The efforts of First Nations across Canada, with support from Indigenous Services
Canada, have supported the lifting of 145 of the long-term drinking
water advisories on public systems on reserve since 2015. We are
now down to the last 29 communities with active, long-term
advisories. Among these, 13 communities have the infrastructure
capable of providing clean drinking water.
- The Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP) is a
capacity-building program that provides training and mentoring
services to operators of First Nations' drinking water and
wastewater systems (water operators).
Associated links
- Star Blanket Cree Nation celebrates grand opening of new water
treatment plant
- Circuit Rider Training Program (sac-isc.gc.ca)
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada