At a ceremony Oct. 22 on Cedar Road in Nanaimo, ground was broken on a water infrastructure project that will bring clean drinking water to Snuneymuxw First Nation Indian Reserve #2.
Over more than a decade, water has been trucked to the community at high cost because of contaminated groundwater making the old wells unusable. The provision of water to I.R. #2 comes pursuant to collaboration between the City of Nanaimo and the Snuneymuxw First Nation that began in 2010 in relation to the city’s planned water treatment facility.
“We are glad to see partnership between the city and Snuneymuxw, providing a foundation for real change in the quality of life of Snuneymuxw and citizens of Nanaimo. While we continue to have many challenges between us with respect to water, this is one model of partnership that has worked and needs to be celebrated,” said Chief Doug White III.
“I am particularly appreciative of the leadership of Mayor (John) Ruttan and the city council in moving this particular collaboration forward.”
“The City of Nanaimo celebrates this important development for all of us living together in this region. The construction of this critical drinking water project demonstrates what can be achieved through real partnership,” said Mayor Ruttan of the City of Nanaimo.
“This project is one small step in assisting Snuneymuxw citizens to unlock the full potential of their land. It is a day to celebrate for Snuneymuxw. So many of our Indigenous relations across the island, province and country continue to face challenges with providing this most basic of needs, clean and safe drinking water, to their people” added Chief White.
