Oneida Nation of the Thames rescinds conserve water alert, but officials say urgent action still needed

Oneida Nation of the Thames officials have announced the cancellation of a conserve water alert in the First Nation, after a serious water shortage was first announced on Dec. 16, followed by the declaration of a state of emergency on Dec. 20.

Oneida Nation, located just southwest of London, Ont., originally declared a conserve water alert due to the effect of extreme weather conditions on the First Nation's water supply. This put residents under an order to limit water use with the water reserve in the community's water tower, the primary source of water for the 546 homes and 22 buildings in the territory, at all-time low levels.

"Water Treatment Plant staff have been closely monitoring the source level, and it has risen to a level that we can rescind the conserve water alert," read a statement made by officials. "We thank the community for their quick response, and for their conservation efforts."

It is not yet clear whether the official state of emergency declaration is still in effect.

Still, an official who spoke to CBC News said the community is under strain, and while the cancellation of the conserve water alert bodes well, the most pressing issue has yet to be solved.

"We still have an emergency because we're still drinking bottled water. Until the federal government does something to improve our drinking water situation, we will always have an emergency water problem," said Charity Doxtator, a band councillor who was standing in as Oneida's acting chief at the time of the announcement.

Oneida has been under a boil-water advisory since September 2019, with officials citing poor water infrastructure as a major cause. The federal government's intervention is seriously needed, said Doxtator.

"Indigenous Affairs needs to stand up and deal with this. There's so many other First Nations that are in the same boat as we are," said Doxtator. "Look at the millions of dollars that they [send to] other countries right now. It's very, very unfair."

Earlier this month, Brandon Doxtator, a band councillor with the Oneida Nation, said Oneida has struck an agreement in principle to pipe water into the community from Lake Huron. He said that would require help from the federal government.

Community aid, a band-aid solution

Janet Antone is a community member who took matters into her own hand to help residents. She is using her Instagram page, which has just short of 13,000 followers, as a platform to raise awareness and point those who want to donate toward the proper avenues.

She's raised more than $6,000 in donations to provide access to potable water for members of the community, with more money still coming in, spending the donated funds on things like water jugs, hand pumps for those who need them, and bottom-loading water coolers for those with mobility issues.

"I was thinking, you know, I'll get like $500 and buy a couple jugs of water," said Antone. "I'm gobsmacked."

The outpouring of support from the community shows a real desire for change, Antone said. She believes this desire for change should also be directed toward politicians who can push for government action.

"I'm really glad the [conserve water alert] is lifted, but the underlying issue itself has not been resolved. Donations are such a short term solution when really we need to be asking the government, 'Why is this OK to go on?'," she said.

Antone echoes Charity Doxtator's sentiments that federal intervention and funding is needed to solve the water issue that has been plaguing her community since 2019.

"I feel as helpless as everybody else does," said Antone.

While she and other members of her community push for federal support and suggest those outside the community do the same, Antone says donations, and shares on social media to increase the reach of donation information, are always welcome and appreciated.

Monetary donations are accepted through e-transfer and PayPal.

Physical donations of water are accepted at the Oneida community centre.