First Nations living conditions detailed in new report

Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy says a new report highlights the dire need for better living standards in First Nations.  

The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study examined people's diets and took water samples in 18 Ontario communities and found several communities had recently been on boil-water advisories.

The study also found that up to half of First Nations in the north couldn't afford proper nutrition because of the high cost of food.

Beardy says that's unacceptable.

"Some of the conditions described in the report would be third-world conditions,” he said.

“And that is the shocking reality when we talk about Canada, one of the richest countries in the world."

Many of the First Nations studied were in northwestern Ontario, including Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Webequie and Fort William First Nation.