The Key FN water treatment plant construction gets underway

The Key First Nation has announced the construction of a new water treatment plant beginning this month. The project is expected to be complete by January 2025.

For The Key First Nation, a community of 1,503 members with a population of 300 onreserve members, this significant project aims to address the long-standing water challenges faced by the Nation and will create a healthier, and more reliable source of clean drinking water for its residents.

This new water treatment plant represents a triumph after a long and frustrating battle with Ottawa and Regina to get the project approved, according to community leaders. After 14 years of delays and deferrals, Indigenous Services Canada has approved its construction this year. While the new water treatment plant addresses some core issues, more infrastructure dollars are needed to update other aging and obsolete infrastructure on the Key First Nation. Chief and Council said they pledge to continue to apply pressure to officials in Ottawa and Regina to provide meaningful funding to update other critical infrastruc- ture needs in the community.

“This project is a huge step forward for our community. After 20 years of chronic boil water advisories and 14 years struggling with Ottawa, they are finally honouring their Treaty obligation to us,” said Chief Clinton Key.

“We are excited for this project, which will not only provide safe, clean drinking water to the community, but will also create jobs in both construction and operation of the new plant. I have spent seven years advocating for this project, six as a councillor and this last year as Chief.

It has been extremely frustrating to have to fight for the basic human right to clean drinking water.”

Chief Key said he hopes that Canadians will understand that the work is not done.

“We cannot talk about reconciliation without concrete action. We call on the Prime Minister and his government to take the infrastructure needs of First Nations more serious. We can’t wait 14 more years to get our next project moving.

“There has been a concentrated effort the last seven years to see this project come to life,” continued Chief Key. “I am glad to see this move forward for the sake of our community and our families. While we are happy to get this job done, it is astonishing that in a country as prosperous and wealthy as Canada, a Nation like ours has been made to wait an excruciating amount of time to see a basic project like this move forward.”

Other members of the community’s council agreed that the water treatment plant project is welcome, but more work needs to be done.

“This kind of timeline puts our families at risk and it’s unacceptable that we should have to wait this long to meet our basic needs,” said Councillor in the old, obsolete water treatment plant, and while we appreciate the opportunity now have a new water treatment plant, I think it will take a long time, perhaps a generation, to get over the fear of drinking it.” BEST PRICES IN OVER A DECADE! “Northome windows were already in our home when we purchased it in 1999. I have had no problems with them & felt I wanted the same at my lake cabin. I am enjoying my new windows. Thank you!”

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