Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Kashechewan First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation is a located on the northern shore of the Albany River in Cochrane District, , , approximately 30 kilometres inland from . The community operates as a remote, fly-in with no year-round road access, relying on air and seasonal water transport, and encompasses traditional territories spanning millions of hectares used for hunting, trapping, and fishing by its members. Established in the 1950s through the division of the original Fort Albany reserve—initially shared with Fort Albany First Nation—Kashechewan emerged as a distinct entity primarily from Anglican-affiliated families seeking separation based on religious and administrative preferences. As a signatory to Treaty 9, adhered to in 1905 at the Fort Albany post, the First Nation maintains rights to its reserve lands under the treaty's terms, which cover much of northeastern Ontario and emphasize peaceful coexistence with resource development subject to Crown oversight. Governance is led by an elected chief and council, affiliated with the Mushkegowuk Council, overseeing services for roughly 2,500 registered band members, of whom about 1,700 reside on-reserve. The First Nation's defining challenges stem from its low-lying riverside geography, which predisposes it to annual spring ice-jam flooding from the Albany River's high-volume flows, necessitating repeated evacuations since the and prompting ongoing discussions of relocation despite attempts like dikes. These events highlight causal factors including upstream hydrological dynamics and limited capacity in a environment, rather than isolated failures.

History

Early History and Traditional Territory

The Kashechewan First Nation descends from the Omushkegowuk, or , who have inhabited the lowlands of for generations prior to European contact. Their traditional territory centers on the Albany River system, extending through muskeg-dominated wetlands, boreal forests, and coastal zones near the western shore of . This region provided essential resources for a semi-nomadic lifestyle adapted to the harsh , with communities relying on the river for transportation via canoe and as a primary corridor for seasonal resource harvesting. Pre-contact Omushkegowuk society emphasized kinship-based bands that moved seasonally to exploit fish stocks, waterfowl, and mammals such as and , following cycles denoted in terms like Sīkwan (spring), Nīpin (summer), and Takwākin (fall). The River held profound cultural significance, embodying ancestral knowledge, spiritual connections, and intergenerational transmission of , as preserved in oral narratives. Archaeological and oral historical evidence indicates human presence in the broader lowlands dating back thousands of years, supporting continuous occupation of these waterways and surrounding ecosystems. This traditional territory underpinned a integrating land stewardship, with every river curve bearing a name in , reflecting intimate environmental familiarity essential for sustenance and cultural continuity. European interactions, commencing in the late , marked the onset of recorded contact but did not alter the foundational pre-existing territorial claims and practices of the Omushkegowuk.

Establishment and Initial Relocation

The Kashechewan First Nation traces its origins to the Cree settlement at Fort Albany, established in the late 19th century adjacent to the Hudson's Bay Company trading post on the south bank of the Albany River in northern Ontario. This initial community served as a hub for fur trade and subsistence activities among the Mushkegowuk Cree. By the 1950s, religious divisions between Catholic and Anglican missions within the Fort Albany community intensified, leading to along denominational lines. Catholic families remained on the south shore, while Anglican families were relocated to the north shore, forming the basis of Kashechewan. The relocation began in , with families constructing tents and cabins on the new site, motivated by promises of improved housing and services. This initial move to the flood-prone north bank occurred despite awareness of seasonal inundation risks from River overflows, a inherent to the low-lying terrain selected. The process extended through 1958–1961, solidifying Kashechewan as a distinct separate from Fort , with formal band recognition following in subsequent decades.

Post-Establishment Developments and Early Challenges

Following the relocation of predominantly Anglican families from the south shore of the River at Fort to the between 1958 and 1961, Kashechewan First Nation prioritized the development of foundational to support community life. Initial efforts included constructing modest units, a local , and rudimentary utilities, funded through Indian Affairs programs aimed at stabilizing remote reserves. By the early , a diesel-fueled and distribution system was established and operated initially by , providing the first reliable power source and enabling basic of homes and facilities. These developments marked a shift from transient lifestyles to a more sedentary settlement pattern, though constrained by limited investment and logistical challenges of the isolated location. Despite these advancements, early challenges arose from the reserve's low-lying topography and proximity to the Albany River, which proved inadequate for long-term flood protection. The community experienced its inaugural major spring flood evacuation in , when ice breakup caused waters to overrun defenses, forcing residents to seek temporary shelter elsewhere and disrupting daily operations. This incident, occurring just over a decade after establishment, revealed flaws in —intended to escape chronic inundation at the original Fort Albany location but failing to account for upstream dynamics and seasonal ice jams. Federal responses included ad-hoc dike reinforcements, yet these proved temporary and under-engineered, exacerbating vulnerabilities without addressing root causal factors like river . Social and administrative strains compounded environmental risks, as outpaced capacity, leading to in substandard dwellings and reliance on air or supplies. Governance formalized in the mid-1970s with enhanced band council structures, but early grappled with coordinating efforts amid federal bureaucratic delays, highlighting dependencies on external that hindered self-sufficiency. These intertwined issues set a precedent for recurring crises, with limited local adaptive measures constrained by geographic isolation and funding shortfalls.

Major Crises: Water Contamination and Health Outbreaks

The Kashechewan First Nation, located on the Albany River in , has faced recurrent water contamination issues stemming from inadequate treatment infrastructure and the community's flood-prone riverside position, leading to multiple health emergencies. In , at least half of the approximately 2,000 residents suffered from waterborne illnesses including and severe stomach cramps, attributed to contaminated supplies. These outbreaks were linked to deficiencies in the water system, which drew from without sufficient or disinfection to counter bacterial loads. By August 2003, a was issued due to and in the , though initial tests did not detect E. coli; this marked the beginning of more frequent advisories amid ongoing treatment failures. The most severe crisis occurred in October 2005, when E. coli were confirmed in samples on October 14, prompting a sharp increase in levels to combat the contamination. This response, while aimed at disinfection, exacerbated a widespread outbreak of skin rashes and irritations among residents, already prone to such conditions from chronic high chlorine exposure. Over 800 residents—more than 40% of the population—were evacuated starting in late October 2005, at an estimated cost of $16 million, as gastrointestinal illnesses surged from the E. coli presence, which can cause severe , abdominal pain, and . This was the second major evacuation in six months, following earlier advisories, and highlighted systemic failures in maintaining safe amid periodic spanning eight years prior. Subsequent incidents perpetuated the pattern, with E. coli detections and advisories persisting into the ; for instance, the community faced another evacuation threat in linked to similar contamination risks. impacts extended beyond acute bacterial infections to long-term effects, including psychological distress from repeated exposure to unsafe water and over-chlorination, which residents reported as eroding trust in the supply even after remediation attempts. interventions, such as deploying water purification units, provided temporary relief but did not resolve underlying infrastructure vulnerabilities tied to the river's seasonal contamination. As of , Kashechewan remained under ongoing advisories, underscoring the causal role of geographic isolation and deferred maintenance in sustaining these crises.

Geography and Environment

Location and Physical Setting

Kashechewan First Nation occupies the Kashechewan 1274 Indian Reserve on the northern shore of the Albany River, approximately 10 kilometers upstream from its confluence with James Bay in northern Ontario, Canada. The community is positioned at coordinates 52°18′ N, 81°38′ W, within the traditional territory of the Omushkego Cree people. The Albany River, Ontario's second-longest waterway at 982 kilometers, flows northeast from Lake St. Joseph before emptying into the southwestern James Bay region, providing the primary hydrological feature of the area. The physical setting encompasses the , a expanse with elevations typically near , dominated by flat terrain, extensive peatlands, and poorly drained . This landscape includes boreal forest cover of black spruce and tamarack, interspersed with numerous lakes, rivers, and tidal marshes influenced by proximity to . The low-relief and high contribute to a mosaic of fens, bogs, and shallow waterways, shaping a remote, river-dependent environment accessible primarily by air or water.

Climate and Seasonal Patterns

The climate of Kashechewan First Nation, situated in the zone near the Albany River in , is characterized by a Dfc Köppen classification, with long, severe winters dominated by polar continental air masses and short, cool summers moderated slightly by proximity to . Mean annual temperatures hover around -3°C to -5°C, reflecting the region's harsh conditions where winter extremes frequently drop below -30°C. Winter spans approximately November to April, with average January highs of -13°C and lows of -22°C at nearby Fort Albany, accompanied by substantial snowfall that accumulates due to low evaporation rates and persistent cold. This season features limited daylight and high humidity from influences, contributing to ice formation on rivers essential for traditional winter travel but increasingly variable in duration. Spring is brief and transitional, marked by rapid and ice breakup on the Albany River around late April to early May, often resulting in annual flooding that has necessitated multiple community evacuations. Summer, confined to June through August, brings the mildest conditions with July highs averaging 16–20°C and lows around 8–10°C, though daytime maxima seldom surpass 25°C amid frequent cloudy skies and occasional dryness. totals approximately 500–700 mm annually, with about 35% as ; summer months account for the majority of rainfall, supporting brief growth but punctuated by thunderstorms influenced by continental weather systems. Autumn arrives abruptly in , with falling temperatures and earlier frosts by , shortening the frost-free period to roughly 80–100 days per year. These patterns underpin local environmental dynamics, including variable viability and heightened susceptibility during thaws.

Flooding Risks and Mitigation Efforts

The Kashechewan First Nation community is located on low-lying terrain along the River in the Lowlands of , rendering it vulnerable to recurrent flooding primarily driven by runoff and ice jams that elevate water levels. This geographical positioning exacerbates flood risks, as the reserve occupies a where historical water levels frequently exceed safe thresholds, threatening residential structures, , and resident . Environmental assessments have confirmed the site's unsuitability due to its proximity to and inadequate natural drainage, leading to rapid inundation during peak seasonal flows. Flooding events have necessitated evacuations 14 times since 2004, with consecutive occurrences from 2004 to 2008 and annually from 2012 to 2019, and precautionary or actual evacuations every year since 2012. The initial major evacuation occurred in 1976, and by 2014, recurring floods had damaged 36 homes beyond repair, requiring their demolition. These incidents have imposed significant socioeconomic burdens, including temporary relocations to over 22 host communities, disruptions to daily life, and heightened health vulnerabilities during evacuations. Mitigation strategies encompass short-term evacuations, advanced models developed by engineering firm Hatch to predict water level rises and enable timely responses, and the incorporation of traditional Indigenous knowledge to enhance understanding of local hydrological patterns and adaptive measures. Long-term efforts focus on full community relocation to higher ground, such as Site Five near Fort Albany, prompted by federal recognition of the current location's inherent dangers; in September 2024, the newly elected chief reiterated demands for government action to expedite this move, citing ongoing annual threats. Despite these initiatives, implementation has faced delays, with the community remaining exposed to persistent flood hazards.

Other Environmental Hazards

In addition to recurrent flooding, Kashechewan First Nation faces chronic challenges with quality, including persistent bacterial contamination and treatment system failures that have led to long-term boil-water advisories. A major E. coli outbreak in November 2005 necessitated the evacuation of approximately 1,000 residents and highlighted deficiencies in the community's , which relies on surface water from the Albany River susceptible to upstream pollutants and seasonal variations. As of 2016, the community remained under advisory for risks of microbial contamination, with faulty chlorination and filtration systems exacerbating vulnerabilities compared to non-Indigenous areas. Mold proliferation in substandard constitutes another significant hazard, driven by damp conditions, , and inadequate , contributing to respiratory illnesses and conditions among residents. In 2016, nearly every home in the community of about 1,800 reported issues, linked to structural failures that promote moisture retention and growth, with affected children exhibiting rashes and open sores potentially tied to prolonged exposure. assessments in similar remote have identified elevated levels increasing respiratory risk by up to twofold in 12% of sampled homes due to leaks and poor maintenance. Environmental contaminants in traditional foods, particularly mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in from the Albany River and surrounding ecosystems, pose ingestion risks through subsistence harvesting, a dietary staple for the population. A 2024 human health of the Kashechewan traditional diet found that adolescent consumption of locally sourced could exceed tolerable daily intakes for , with amplified by historical industrial activities and atmospheric deposition in the region. These hazards are compounded by limited access to alternative foods, heightening cumulative exposure for youth, though community monitoring efforts continue to track levels in species like and .

Demographics and Social Structure

Population Dynamics

The on-reserve population of Kashechewan First Nation stood at approximately 1,500 residents as of 2013. This figure rose to 1,825 band members by 2019, reflecting ongoing natural increase driven by elevated fertility rates typical of remote northern First Nations, where median ages are lower than national averages and birth rates exceed those in urban populations. Overall registered membership, including those off-reserve, supports a total band population exceeding on-reserve counts, though precise recent registered figures remain tied to Indigenous Services Canada tracking without public granular breakdowns beyond community-level estimates. Historical records indicate steady since the community's establishment in the 1950s, with incremental rises attributed to demographic momentum rather than significant in-migration, as limited economic opportunities and geographic isolation constrain inflows. By 2025, spring flooding evacuations involved roughly 1,600 residents, underscoring temporary displacements but no evidence of sustained depopulation, as families return post-event due to cultural, familial, and treaty-based ties to the land. These recurrent crises—12 evacuations between 2004 and 2019 alone—exert short-term pressure on residency but have not reversed the upward trajectory, with growth aligning to national patterns of 39% increase from 2006 to 2016. Demographic pressures include a youthful profile, with over half the population under 25 in comparable 2016 census data for affiliated areas, amplifying and strains amid environmental vulnerabilities. Off-reserve migration occurs for and , yet return rates remain high, preserving cohesion despite infrastructure deficits.

Health and Mortality Indicators

Residents of Kashechewan First Nation experience elevated premature mortality compared to the broader Ontario population, reflecting challenges in remote northern First Nations communities including Kashechewan. From 1992 to 2014, 61% of deaths in these communities occurred before age 65 (63% for men and 59% for women), versus 22% provincially. The average age at death stood at 54 years, substantially lower than Ontario's 74 years. Premature mortality rates rose from 2.0 to 4.0 per 1,000 population over this period. Injury-related deaths predominate at 27 per 1,000 (3.8 times the rate), followed by circulatory diseases at 21 per 1,000 (comparable to provincial levels) and cancer at 17 per 1,000 (also similar). accounted for 8 per 1,000 deaths, 4.1 times higher than in . Nearly half (49%) of decedents had four or more chronic conditions at death, lower than Ontario's 65% but indicative of concentrated health burdens in fewer years of life. Water contamination has driven recurrent infectious disease outbreaks, correlating with morbidity that strains mortality outcomes. In October 2005, levels in prompted evacuation of over 1,000 residents and widespread gastrointestinal illness. A outbreak in late 2005 affected numerous children with severe skin sores linked to poor . Similar rashes resurfaced in March 2016, impacting dozens of children and highlighting persistent deficits. Infant mortality reflects vulnerability to infectious diseases amid limited access to care. An infant from Kashechewan died in January 2025 from Group A Streptococcus respiratory illness, amid a regional outbreak. In the encompassing Mushkegowuk region, leaders declared a public health emergency in 2016 citing high youth suicide rates, untreated strep leading to rheumatic fever deaths (including two four-year-olds in 2014), and overall elevated mortality from systemic failures. These factors, compounded by substance abuse and inadequate infrastructure, contribute to disparities exceeding general First Nations trends.

Cultural and Religious Composition

The Kashechewan First Nation is an Omushkego community, maintaining cultural ties rooted in systems that emphasize , language, and connection to the land for holistic wellbeing. Community members identify strongly with Cree origins, where practices such as , , and within treaty-ceded territories sustain cultural identity and self-sufficiency. The serves as a primary transmitter of cultural values, with many residents speaking it as their and main form of communication, preserving oral histories and intergenerational knowledge despite pressures from external influences. Religiously, Kashechewan is predominantly , a distinction arising from a mid-20th-century with the neighboring , where Anglican families relocated to form the community in the after Fort Albany aligned exclusively with . This Anglican orientation is supported by the Diocese of , which provides spiritual guidance emphasizing core tenets such as divine creation, compassion, and prioritization of amid community challenges like evacuations. While traditional —encompassing animistic elements tied to the natural environment—persists in cultural narratives, organized religious life centers on , with limited evidence of standalone traditional spiritual leadership dominating communal practices. Smaller faith groups, such as the Faith Temple Church, indicate some diversity in evangelical expressions, though remains the foundational affiliation.

Governance and Administration

Band Council and Leadership

The band of Kashechewan First Nation serves as the primary , responsible for overseeing community programs, s, facilities, and local administration under the . Elections for chief and councillors are held periodically, with community members for representatives to manage internal affairs, including , and . The operates from the band office at 13B Riverside Road, handling daily and intergovernmental relations. As of 2025, Hosea Wesley holds the position of , having been elected in 2024 after serving six years as deputy chief. Under his leadership, the has focused on urgent environmental challenges, such as repeated spring flooding, issuing states of declarations and coordinating evacuations while pressing and provincial governments for relocation support to higher ground along the Albany River. Wesley succeeded Wayne Lazarus, emphasizing continuity in advocacy for community sustainability amid ongoing infrastructure vulnerabilities. The council collaborates with regional organizations, including the Mushkegowuk Council and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, for broader policy representation and resource allocation, though local decision-making remains centered on band-level priorities like response and service delivery. Specific names and exact term lengths vary by election cycle, with accountability tied to community elections and federal oversight.

Financial Management and Accountability Issues

Due to persistent financial irregularities, Kashechewan First Nation was placed under third-party management by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (now Indigenous Services Canada) from 2007 to 2014, during which external administrators oversaw budgeting, expenditures, and fiscal controls to address and deficits. This intervention followed repeated failures in internal financial reporting and debt accumulation, with the band's council unable to demonstrate sustainable fiscal practices despite substantial federal transfers. A notable emerged involving co-manager Joe Crupi, appointed to stabilize finances, who was charged with in 2016 alongside his brother Peter Crupi for allegedly defrauding Kashechewan and other of over $60 million through inflated consulting fees and unauthorized transfers. An independent audit commissioned by the federal government confirmed misappropriation of at least $1.4 million specifically from Kashechewan's health services funding, prompting a civil by against the Crupis to recover the funds. Local leaders expressed profound distrust in the third-party system, arguing it exacerbated vulnerabilities rather than resolving root causes like inadequate oversight of external managers. Band council dysfunction has compounded these problems, with reports from 2008 citing a "paralyzed" unable to access or manage multi-million-dollar funds effectively, leading to stalled projects and heightened dependency on bailouts. Annual audited consolidated , required under , continue to highlight management responsibilities for going-concern assessments amid ongoing liabilities, though specific post-2014 lapses remain under scrutiny by Services Canada. Critics attribute persistent accountability gaps to structural incentives in the framework, where limited electoral and funding without stringent performance metrics enable and incompetence.

Intergovernmental Relations

The Kashechewan First Nation maintains intergovernmental relations rooted in , signed on August 3, 1905, at Fort Post, which established reserve lands along the River and affirmed rights to hunt, trap, and fish within the treaty territory while committing to protection of interests. As a member of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in Ontario, Kashechewan engages federal and provincial authorities through this regional framework for broader policy advocacy on issues like resource development and . Contemporary relations emphasize tripartite collaboration between the First Nation, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, particularly in addressing recurrent flooding risks through relocation planning. On March 31, 2017, the parties signed a committing to joint feasibility studies for moving the community to higher ground upstream on the Albany River, with shared responsibilities for infrastructure assessment and . This was reaffirmed in a May 9, 2019, , signed by Chief Leo Friday, Minister Greg Rickford, and federal Minister , which prioritized relocation as a core project and outlined coordinated timelines for land acquisition, environmental reviews, and construction. Federal-provincial coordination extends to emergency responses, with ISC partnering annually with officials and the to evacuate residents during spring floods, covering costs for temporary housing in communities like and since at least 2004. Funding flows primarily through ISC contributions for and capacity-building, including under programs like Participant Funding for consultation processes and targeted investments exceeding $2 billion nationally for First Nations water and housing upgrades, though Kashechewan-specific allocations support relocation preparatory work such as Addition to Reserve processes. Despite these agreements, implementation has lagged, prompting Chief Wayne Wesley's September 2024 election pledge to accelerate relocation, potentially to Fort Albany, amid criticisms of federal delays spanning over 15 years. Provincial and federal officials continue to cite technical hurdles like site selection and environmental approvals as factors, while the First Nation attributes stagnation to insufficient commitment from Crown fiduciary obligations under .

Economy and Self-Sufficiency

Current Economic Activities

The economy of Kashechewan First Nation relies heavily on traditional subsistence practices, including , , and , which are enshrined as rights under signed in 1905. These activities sustain community members amid the reserve's remote location on the Albany River, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of , , where commercial resource extraction or large-scale industry remains undeveloped. Local economic development efforts are coordinated through the Kashechewan First Nation office, established to identify and pursue initiatives for job creation and self-sufficiency. This includes providing training workshops, employability enhancement programs, and one-on-one coaching for residents interested in , such as developing business plans and accessing funding. However, tangible outcomes from these programs are limited, with no major private enterprises or revenue-generating ventures reported as of 2023. In 2024-25, the First Nation received a $100,000 grant from the Ministry of Affairs to support the Kashechewan Capacity Enhancement Project, aimed at building administrative and planning skills for future opportunities. Consolidated for 2020-21 allocate modest funds to programs and within the operating budget, but these expenditures—totaling around $3,491 for initiatives—reflect ongoing challenges in generating sustainable local rather than established activity. Overall, the absence of viable markets or hinders diversification beyond subsistence and government-supported planning.

Government Transfers and Dependency

The Kashechewan First Nation's operations are sustained primarily through transfer payments from the federal government via Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Province of , supplemented by targeted health funding. These transfers support core services including , social assistance, , and infrastructure maintenance, reflecting the band's status under the as a recipient of formula-based and program-specific allocations. In fiscal year 2022–2023, total revenues reached $67,642,702, with government transfers comprising $58,804,068 or 87 percent. Federal contributions from ISC totaled $41,187,013, including fixed funding of $28,764,417 for essential programs and flexible allocations of $11,315,122 for community priorities, while provincial transfers from Ontario amounted to $11,490,662, largely for social services. Additional federal health funding via the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch added $5,211,197. Own-source revenues, derived mainly from rent, user fees ($2,153,340), and limited partnerships ($6,685,294), constituted just 13 percent or $8,838,634, underscoring minimal internal economic generation. This pattern persisted in prior years; for instance, in 2020–2021, transfers formed 94 percent of $49,189,572 in revenues, with ISC providing $35,489,847 and Ontario $10,336,381. This structure fosters dependency, as the community's remote Albany River location—approximately 600 kilometers northeast of , —constrains commercial viability, with no significant , resource extraction, or base to diversify income. Historical factors, including the 1960s relocation from flood-prone upstream sites to the current dike-protected area without adequate , exacerbate this, leaving band finances vulnerable to annual funding cycles and potential shortfalls. Annual operating budgets have historically ranged from $18–22 million in the mid-2000s, deemed insufficient even then for basic needs, with recurrent crises like spring floods requiring supplemental federal emergency transfers for evacuations costing millions. Such reliance raises sustainability concerns, as own-source revenues lag behind escalating transfer demands amid (from under 1,000 in 2006 to over 1,900 residents by 2021) and , potentially perpetuating cycles of fiscal without local . Audits note risks of repayment obligations if transfer conditions are unmet, highlighting the precariousness of externally driven funding models over self-generated economic capacity.

Development Initiatives and Obstacles

The Kashechewan First Nation maintains an Economic Development office responsible for identifying and advancing local economic opportunities, including business stimulation and community-based projects. In fiscal year 2020-2021, the community reported a 12.5% equity interest in Mushkegowuk Regional Economic Development Limited, a partnership aimed at fostering regional economic activities among multiple First Nations. Provincial support has included a $100,000 grant from Ontario in 2024-2025 for the Kashechewan Community Economic Development Capacity Enhancement Project, focused on building internal skills for sustainable growth. Federal contributions have also funded economic programs, such as $939,533 in 2023 under community economic development initiatives. Despite these efforts, development faces persistent environmental obstacles tied to the community's location on low-lying, flood-prone land along the Albany River. Spring ice breakup and flooding have prompted 14 evacuations since 2004, disrupting operations, damaging infrastructure, and diverting resources from long-term projects. Water supply contamination, including a 2005 E. coli outbreak that necessitated evacuating over 800 residents, has repeatedly compromised health and , with treatment systems strained by and aging facilities. Geographic isolation exacerbates challenges, contributing to high costs and limited to markets or skilled labor, which hinder diversification beyond government transfers and traditional activities like . further compounds risks by altering traditional food harvesting patterns, reducing reliability of land-based self-sufficiency. Historical federal decisions, including the 1960s relocation to the current site despite known flood vulnerabilities, have entrenched these barriers, with critics attributing ongoing dependency to inadequate adaptation planning rather than community failings alone.

Infrastructure and Public Services

Water Supply and Sanitation Systems

The Kashechewan First Nation relies on a centralized surface water treatment plant drawing from the Albany River for its drinking water supply, serving approximately 1,000 residents. The plant incorporates conventional treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, but its intake pipe location downstream from the community's sewage lagoon has historically allowed tidal influences from James Bay to push contaminated effluent back into the raw water source, exacerbating bacterial risks such as E. coli. Chronic contamination issues prompted a major in October 2005, when elevated E. coli levels necessitated chlorine shocking to unsafe concentrations, resulting in skin and eye irritations that led to the evacuation of nearly 1,000 residents at a cost of $16 million to the federal government. Earlier advisories, such as one in August 2003 for and , highlighted ongoing operational deficiencies despite federal funding for the original plant in 1995. A comprehensive upgrade to the plant, completed in November 2019, enhanced filtration, disinfection capacity, fire protection, and overall system reliability, reducing immediate risks but not eliminating vulnerabilities tied to the site's flood-prone geography. Wastewater management centers on a stabilization system for collection and treatment, with truck-haul servicing a small number of homes lacking direct connections; the has repeatedly overflowed due to inadequate capacity and maintenance, contributing to source . Federal funding of $1.115 million in 2017 supported repairs and upgrades to mitigate overflows, alongside routine operations including equipment maintenance and garbage collection tied to sanitation infrastructure. As of August 2025, a short-term remains in effect for the public water system, reflecting persistent challenges from seasonal flooding— which has necessitated 14 evacuations since 2004—and underscoring limitations in infrastructure resilience despite investments exceeding those for similar-sized non-Indigenous communities. These issues stem from causal factors including suboptimal on low-lying, erosion-prone land and contamination pathways, rather than solely funding shortfalls, as assessments have rated the systems as high-risk prior to upgrades.

Housing Conditions and Overcrowding

The housing stock in Kashechewan First Nation primarily consists of single-floor prefabricated units and trailer homes, which are susceptible to damage from recurrent spring flooding and harsh conditions, leading to widespread disrepair including infestation and structural deterioration. This has contributed to a persistent , with leaders in 2021 that up to 24 individuals often share a single dwelling, far exceeding typical household sizes and amplifying vulnerabilities to infectious diseases, as evidenced during a outbreak that infected over 100 residents in June of that year. Overcrowding is compounded by a waitlist of approximately 200 people for new or adequate , despite federal investments totaling over $49 million between 2015 and 2017 to construct 52 duplexes (104 units) aimed at replacing flood-damaged structures and alleviating density. Earlier assessments highlighted the scale of the deficit, with the community requiring around 300 additional units as of 2014 to accommodate from high birth rates—approximately 40 infants annually at that time—while ongoing flood evacuations, occurring 14 times since 2004, further strain available intact dwellings. These conditions have been linked to public health crises beyond pandemics, including a 2016 outbreak of severe skin infections among residents, which a visiting attributed directly to , , and inadequate in multi-generational homes lacking basic repairs like functional or . Efforts to expand capacity continue, such as a for 20 new home lots, but remote and environmental risks limit construction pace, perpetuating a cycle where damaged units force temporary relocations and increased sharing among remaining housing. Broader data from the 2002/03 Regional Health Survey indicate an average of 0.76 persons per room—nearly double the Canadian norm of 0.4—underscoring systemic density issues applicable to isolated communities like Kashechewan.

Healthcare Delivery and Challenges

The primary healthcare delivery in Kashechewan First Nation occurs through a nursing station managed by Indigenous Services , which provides basic medical services such as routine , vaccinations, and treatment, supplemented by care options from partners like Mushkegowuk Health. Home and community care programs address long-term needs for elders and those with chronic conditions, while a medical transportation program facilitates access to off-reserve hospitals via air or ground evacuation for complex cases. The remote location, accessible only by air or winter ice roads, necessitates frequent medevacs, contributing to elevated transport costs across similar communities, often exceeding CAD $7,000 per instance. Staffing shortages pose a persistent challenge, exemplified by August 2022 when the station, typically staffed by nine nurses, operated with only three, restricting non-emergency services and prompting temporary reinforcements from provincial authorities. A 2015 Auditor General's report identified broader systemic deficiencies in nursing, including gaps in nurse competency for remote settings and delays in , as seen in cases of untreated chronic illnesses leading to fatalities. Water contamination from recurring flooding has triggered crises, such as a 2016 outbreak of severe rashes affecting around 30 children, linked to gastrointestinal pathogens and highlighting inadequate sanitation's role in infectious disease transmission. Mental health outcomes reflect acute vulnerabilities, with suicide rates far exceeding national averages—prompting a community-declared in 2005 and ongoing interventions like the Choose Life program launched in 2017 for youth prevention and counseling, though federal funding delays under halted it in March 2025, raising risks of renewed crises. Chronic diseases, including and respiratory conditions, prevail at higher rates than in non-Indigenous populations, exacerbated by environmental factors like flooding disruptions and limited preventive screening, as documented in regional health profiles. These issues underscore causal links between infrastructural failures, geographic isolation, and governance dependencies, rather than isolated service gaps.

Education Facilities and Outcomes

The Hishkoonikun Education Authority administers education services for elementary and secondary students in Kashechewan First Nation, overseeing two main schools: St. Andrew's Elementary School and Francine J. Wesley Secondary School. St. Andrew's serves younger students with facilities including multi-purpose areas, a library/resource centre, gymnasium, full kitchen, playgrounds, baseball field, and soccer field. Francine J. Wesley provides a full curriculum for grades 7–12, incorporating instruction and cultural elements such as Native art, dance, and teachings. In 2019, a new $15 million modular elementary opened after students were evacuated from mould-infested portables at the prior facility, which suffered from jammed doors, electrical hazards, and structural unsafety; the new structure consists of prefabricated classrooms designed for disassembly and relocation amid ongoing community debates. Historical assessments from the identified code violations and inadequate space at St. Andrew's for comprehensive programming, prompting additions of classrooms and teacher housing by 1989. Student outcomes in Kashechewan have historically lagged, with data showing over half of students failing to advance one grade per year, high dropout rates outside ages 11–13, poor performance on standardized tests, and attendance rates of 70–80 percent. Specific recent rates for the community are not publicly detailed in available reports, though broader figures indicate students on reserves graduate high school at 46 percent, compared to 73 percent for those off-reserve, reflecting systemic challenges in remote settings like Kashechewan. Educational challenges include chronic underfunding—such as decisions described as "devastating" to supports—high turnover, reliance on English as a without sufficient Native educators, and disruptions from annual flooding that periodically closes schools. Efforts to integrate culture and adjust calendars for traditional activities like goose hunts aim to boost retention, but low community involvement and facility maintenance issues persist, hindering alignment with provincial standards.

Transportation and Connectivity

Kashechewan First Nation lacks connection to Ontario's provincial highway network, relying instead on air travel as the primary year-round mode of access via Kashechewan Airport (CZKE), a gravel airstrip equipped with basic facilities including a 122.8 MHz common frequency and ARCAL lighting. Scheduled flights operate through carriers such as and Thunder Airlines, linking the community to regional hubs like , , Attawapiskat, and Fort Albany for passengers and essential freight. Access to the airport is vulnerable to seasonal flooding from the Albany River, which has repeatedly submerged the sole access road, as occurred in May 2025 when emergency helicopter transfers to Fort Albany Airport were required for evacuations. In summer, boat navigation along the Albany River offers limited alternative access, though high water levels and navigational hazards constrain its reliability. From approximately December to April, depending on ice conditions, the Winter Road provides seasonal overland connectivity, linking Kashechewan through Fort Albany and Attawapiskat to and the broader road network for bulk cargo transport such as fuel and construction materials. This ice-based route, built over frozen rivers and lakes, operates under variable weather constraints and climate influences that have shortened viable seasons in recent years. The absence of all-season roads elevates transportation costs, with air freight dominating supply chains for , supplies, and other essentials, exacerbating economic and service delivery challenges in this fly-in community.

Social Issues and Controversies

Suicide Epidemic and Underlying Causes

Kashechewan First Nation has experienced persistently elevated rates, particularly among , exceeding national averages by factors of 10 or more. The community's fly-in estimated approximately 2.5 suicides annually in a population of around 1,800 as of 2015, equating to a rate over 11 times 's national figure. In 2009, the broader west coast of region, including Kashechewan, recorded 14 suicides, with local rates reported as 100 times the Canadian average of about 1 per 100,000. Incidents include over 20 attempts in a single month around 2009–2010 and a 2007 group pact involving 21 mostly child participants, prompting ongoing at the high school. Underlying causes encompass a of environmental, socioeconomic, and social factors amplified by the community's remote fly-in location on the Albany River. Annual spring floods necessitate mass evacuations, disrupting stability and contributing to , while long-term water contamination has led to widespread skin infections and health burdens that exacerbate despair. , marked by near-total reliance on government transfers with scant local employment or amenities like stores or facilities, fosters hopelessness and idleness. , including alcohol-fueled intrusions into homes tied to payment cycles, compounds instability and transmission. Intergenerational effects from residential schools have disrupted family structures and cultural continuity, yet current policy shortcomings perpetuate vulnerability: inadequate mental health resources, funding cuts to healing programs like the Aboriginal Healing Lodge closed in 2014, and recent 2025 pauses in youth prevention initiatives due to federal reimbursement delays under Jordan's Principle. These elements interact with broader First Nations patterns, where youth rates are 5–6 times higher than non-Indigenous peers, driven by similar isolation and service gaps rather than isolated historical events. Local observers attribute recurring attempts to pervasive sadness from lost purpose and repeated losses, underscoring failures in addressing root determinants like overcrowding and limited access to counseling.

Relocation Debates and Community Resistance

The Kashechewan First Nation was relocated by the government in the to its current site on a flood-prone in the Albany River, a decision later criticized for disregarding the community's traditional preference for higher ground and leading to recurrent spring flooding. This initial forced move, executed without adequate consultation, established a pattern of environmental vulnerability, with the community evacuated at least 14 times since due to flooding or imminent threats. In response to persistent crises, including water contamination and evacuations costing millions annually—estimated at $20 million per year in some reports—federal and provincial governments proposed relocations, sparking debates over site selection and cultural preservation. A 2006 federal report recommended moving the approximately 1,500 residents to Timmins, Ontario, about 450 km south, citing infrastructure challenges on traditional lands, but this was rejected by the community in a 2007 survey where residents prioritized rebuilding locally over urban assimilation. Community consultations, including a Cree-led participatory study, revealed strong resistance rooted in sacred ties to ancestral homelands, with participants across age groups viewing distant relocation as a threat to cultural identity and self-determination rather than a solution. Subsequent proposals shifted toward sites on traditional territory, with Kashechewan advocating relocation to higher ground approximately 30 km upstream on the Albany River to avoid floods while remaining on lands. Framework agreements signed in 2017 and 2019 between the First Nation, federal government, and committed to this upstream move, including land transfers and funding, yet implementation has lagged due to environmental assessments, provincial negotiations, and bureaucratic delays. Community leaders have expressed frustration with these setbacks, as evidenced by 2023 statements from Chief Wayne Wesley highlighting ongoing flood fears and 2024 election platforms centered on accelerating the process, amid continued evacuations in springs like 2025. This resistance to inaction underscores a broader on governmental , with critics attributing delays to fiscal priorities over obligations, while the community insists on relocation terms preserving and proximity to , , and grounds.

Criticisms of Self-Governance and External Policies

Kashechewan First Nation has faced repeated allegations of financial mismanagement under its band council, contributing to chronic fiscal instability. Between 2007 and 2014, the community was placed under third-party management by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada due to severe financial challenges, including and inadequate oversight of funds. In 2006, residents accused the council of and poor financial stewardship, exacerbating a amid ongoing crises. High-profile cases have further eroded in local . In 2016, former co-manager Joe Crupi was charged with defrauding the community of approximately $694,000 intended for a children's breakfast program, pleading guilty in 2017 to two counts of totaling $1.2 million. Local leaders expressed shock at the betrayal, highlighting a "huge loss of " in structures imposed during periods of intervention. Critics, including commentators on reserve , attribute persistent social breakdowns—such as and lack of enforcement—to failures rather than solely external factors. External policies from the federal government have drawn criticism for perpetuating dependency and failing to enforce standards on reserves. The Indian Act's framework has been faulted for restricting ' fiscal autonomy and not adapting to support effective , leading to under-resourced communities despite billions in transfers. Indigenous Services Canada has been accused of regulatory lapses, with no enforceable standards for reserves until recent efforts, allowing issues in Kashechewan to persist for decades. During the 2021 outbreak, federal aid was deemed insufficient by community officials, delaying critical responses in a remote setting. These shortcomings, combined with historical underfunding of infrastructure, have fueled arguments that paternalistic aid models hinder long-term self-reliance.

References

  1. [1]
    Kashechewan - Payukotayno
    Kashechewan First Nation is located along the northern shore of the Albany River and has a population of approximately 1900 members.Missing: history | Show results with:history<|separator|>
  2. [2]
    [PDF] Kashechewan First Nation - Government of Ontario
    Kashechewan's Traditional Land Use Area is approximately, 4,868,075 ha with an additional 365,000 ha that extends into coastal waters.
  3. [3]
    Communities - Five Nations Energy
    Kashechewan First Nation is located close by along the north bank of the Albany River, and has an on reserve population of about 1700. Both Communities are ...
  4. [4]
    Kashechewan First Nation Terms of Reference | ontario.ca
    Apr 25, 2018 · Kashechewan First Nation recognizes and affirms the oral treaty as agreed by Kashechewan in 1905 at the Old Post Albany Reserve Number 67 Island ...
  5. [5]
    243 - First Nation Profiles
    First Nation Detail: Official Name Kashechewan, Number 243, Address Postal code, Phone, Fax. To see additional details, please select one of the following.
  6. [6]
    Kashechewan, Ontario - Future Tuktoyaktuk
    The First Nation community of Kashechewan was first evacuated in 1976 as a result of flooding. The community has been evacuated every year since 2012.Missing: population | Show results with:population
  7. [7]
    Spring flooding and recurring evacuations of Kashechewan First ...
    Kashechewan First Nation has been evacuated 14 times to at least 22 host communities across Ontario since 2004 (consecutively from 2004 to 2008 and 2012–2019) ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  8. [8]
    Nations - Mushkegowuk Council
    Kashechewan First Nation is a Cree community in Northern Ontario, Canada. It's located on the Albany River, near James Bay. Moose Cree First Nation. lindy ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  9. [9]
    Indigenous land-based approaches to well-being: The Sibi (River ...
    The Albany River system holds a special significance for the Omushkego Cree of subarctic Ontario, Canada, embodying their cultural roots, history, and the Cree ...
  10. [10]
    Introduction to our History - Cree Nation of Waskaganish
    Human presence in the James Bay area is believed to have begun some 7,000 years ago, although the earliest artefacts recently found in the region of Waskaganish ...
  11. [11]
    Albany River in Northern Ontario: Ecosystem and Cultural Significance
    Dec 28, 2024 · According to traditional Mushkegowuk knowledge, "every curve in the river has a name". Supporting a rich ecosystem, the river is home to ...Albany River in Northern Ontario information - FacebookAlbany river in northern Ontario - FacebookMore results from www.facebook.com
  12. [12]
    (PDF) Narratives of Early Encounters between Europeans and the ...
    Aug 7, 2025 · This article introduces some historical narratives (tipaachimowina; stories, news in general) narrated by James Wesley, a Cree elder from ...<|separator|>
  13. [13]
    Spring flooding reignites First Nation's calls for relocation
    May 8, 2025 · Kashechewan and Fort Albany community members' first settlement was established in the late-1800s to trade with the Hudson's Bay Company post.Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
  14. [14]
    Spring flooding reignites First Nation's calls for relocation
    May 6, 2025 · Kashechewan and Fort Albany community members' first settlement was established in the late-1800s to trade with the Hudson's Bay Company post.
  15. [15]
    The story of the James Bay Cree community that was divided by ...
    Dec 21, 2018 · The story of the James Bay Cree community that was divided by religion. In the 1950s, Fort Albany became Catholic only, while Anglicans formed Kashechewan.
  16. [16]
    Fort Albany First Nation - Wikipedia
    It shares band members and the Fort Albany 67 Indian Reserve with the Kashechewan First Nation, which separated from Fort Albany starting in the late 1950s.
  17. [17]
    What you need to know about Kashechewan - CTV News
    Mar 31, 2017 · Like other remote First Nations communities, Kashechewan struggles with mental health issues, poverty, addiction and suicide. In 2005, more than ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts<|separator|>
  18. [18]
    About - Fort Albany First Nation
    During the 1950's, old Fort Albany was abandoned and the people separated into two distinct communities: Fort Albany and Kashechewan. Picture. Community Profile
  19. [19]
    Did you know about Fort Albany, ON? - The North West Company
    Fort Albany is accessible through the James Bay Winter Road, connecting it to Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Moosonee and Moose Factory during the cold seasons.
  20. [20]
    [PDF] Five Nations Energy Inc.
    Kashechewan mid 1970's, distribution system built and ... What were some of the other challenges? • Ongoing political changes within the First Nations.
  21. [21]
    Decades after 1976 flood, Kashechewan First Nation still hopes to ...
    May 1, 2019 · A mother and daughter from Kashechewan First Nation protest regular evacuations due to flooding outside Queen's Park in Toronto on April 29, 2019.<|separator|>
  22. [22]
    CANADA: Health crisis in Kashechewan - Green Left
    Nov 17, 1993 · At the time, at least half of the 2000 residents were suffering numerous water-related illnesses, including diarrhea and painful stomach cramps, ...
  23. [23]
    [PDF] a historical and situational summary of relations between canada ...
    On. August 3rd 1905, Treaty number 9 was signed establishing a 36 346 hectare ... established by OCWA in the “Kashechewan First Nation Assessment Study of.
  24. [24]
    Evacuation of Kashechewan Reserve an Overreaction
    Kashechewan was put under a boil water advisory due to cloudiness and sediment in the water (although not the more serious E. coli) back in August 2003.Missing: contamination | Show results with:contamination
  25. [25]
    Kashechewan: Water crisis in Northern Ontario - CBC
    In October 2005, high E. coli levels were found in the reserve's drinking water and chlorine levels had to be increased to "shock" levels. This led to a ...Missing: norovirus | Show results with:norovirus
  26. [26]
    [PDF] COMMENTARY
    A water sample taken in Kashechewan on. October 12, 2005 by Health Canada detected. Escherichia coli (E. coli), a species of bacteria normally found in the ...
  27. [27]
    Full article: A decade of drinking water advisories: Historical ...
    In the Kashechewan Cree First Nation, excessive chlorine was added to drinking water to combat high E. coli levels, worsening a common skin condition among ...
  28. [28]
    Responsibility for Kashechewan's crises lies with Crown
    Apr 24, 2019 · In 2005, Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin committed to relocating the community 30 kilometres upriver. But, like his promised Kelowna Accord ...<|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Water Crisis Forces Government Action - Cultural Survival
    Nov 18, 2005 · After an E.coli water contamination forced the second evacuation of the Kashechewan reserve in six months, the Canadian federal government ...Missing: outbreaks norovirus
  30. [30]
    Make it Safe: Canada's Obligation to End the First Nations Water Crisis
    Jun 7, 2016 · ... Kashechewan First Nation.[80] This same community was evacuated in 2005 due to E. coli contamination in its water.[81] The community's last ...
  31. [31]
    Kashechewan | Knowledge Keepr
    Kashechewan First Nation is an Omushkego Cree Indigenous community located on the west coast of James Bay in northern Ontario, Canada. POPULATION. N/A. Rank #0 ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
  32. [32]
    GPS coordinates of Kashechewan First Nation, Canada. Latitude
    The community is located on the northern shore of the Albany River. Kashechewan First Nation is one of two communities that were established from Old Fort ...Missing: terrain | Show results with:terrain
  33. [33]
    Location of Kashechewan First Nation Fort Albany Reserve 67 on ...
    Kashechewan, an isolated and remote Indigenous community, is located along the Albany River in northern Ontario.Missing: setting | Show results with:setting
  34. [34]
    [PDF] Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy
    Land elevations in the Hudson. Bay Lowlands are close to the sea level of neighbouring. Hudson Bay, and typical landscapes include numerous lakes, rivers and ...<|separator|>
  35. [35]
    [PDF] Frequent Flooding and Perceived Adaptive Capacity of Subarctic ...
    Engagement with the Kashechewan First Nation was initiated in November 2015 when the first author visited the community for about a week to meet with the Chief.<|separator|>
  36. [36]
    The Hudson Bay Lowland | Request PDF - ResearchGate
    This region is one of the three largest wetlands in the world (Abraham and Keddy 2005) , and although there are areas of inorganic surface sediments and bedrock ...
  37. [37]
    Albany River Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada - Mindat
    Albany River Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada ; 51° 21' 45" N · 87° 46' 29" W · 51.36261,-87.77496 · Dfc : Subarctic climate · 5883087.
  38. [38]
    Environmental Change in the Hudson and James Bay Region
    The cold conditions in this relatively southern subarctic re- gion are largely due to Hudson Bay and the persistence of sea ice on this large inland sea, the ...
  39. [39]
    Fort Albany Weather History Ontario, Canada
    Fort Albany Annual Weather Averages ; Month, High Temp, Low Temp ; January, -13°C / 8°F · -22°C / -7°F ; February, -12°C / 10°F · -21°C / -6°F ; March, -5°C / 22°F · - ...
  40. [40]
    Use of traditional environmental knowledge to assess the impact of ...
    This study used traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) to investigate whether there was a temporal relationship between extreme climatic events in the summer ...
  41. [41]
    3-year study to help First Nations in Ontario's far north adapt ... - CBC
    Jul 23, 2025 · "So they're seeing flooding in the spring, they're seeing dryness in the summer, shorter times for freezing up for road transportation, changing ...
  42. [42]
    Participatory Spring Flood Mapping with Kashechewan First Nation ...
    The Kashechewan First Nation, southwestern James Bay, northern Ontario, is prone to spring flooding and has been evacuated 14 times to 22 host communities ...Missing: patterns | Show results with:patterns
  43. [43]
    Kashechewan Weather Today | Temperature & Climate Conditions ...
    The average temperatures range from -18°C in January to 16°C in July. Precipitation is relatively low, with about 400 mm per year, and snowfall averages about ...
  44. [44]
    Study area of the western James Bay Region of Canada.
    Approximately 35% of the mean annual precipitation is snowfall, and more ... The Cree First Nations, such as Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, and Kashechewan ...
  45. [45]
    Fort Albany Weather Averages - Ontario, CA
    Based on annual weather averages for Fort Albany, the best month to go for holiday is July and June. The temperature hovers around 16°c.
  46. [46]
    Kashechewan First Nation: Road to Site Five | Colliers Project Leaders
    KFN signed the Together We Work for Hope Agreement on May 9, 2019. The agreement identified the relocation as a priority project within the community, and to ...Missing: original | Show results with:original
  47. [47]
    Kashechewan First Nation flood-risk forecasting and mitigation - Hatch
    In just over 40 years, the community has had to evacuate eight times, the most recent being in 2017, as result of life-threatening flood risks. Solutions.
  48. [48]
    Flooding in First Nations communities - Indigenous Services Canada
    Jul 3, 2025 · Every year since 2012, Kashechewan First Nation has been evacuated because of flooding or as a precaution due to the risk of spring flooding.
  49. [49]
    Feds to relocate Ontario First Nation community that was built in a ...
    ... Kashechewan has been evacuated every year since 2012 and that 36 homes needed to be demolished in the community in 2014 due to reoccurring flooding. were to ...<|separator|>
  50. [50]
    Indigenous knowledge supports flood mitigation studies in James Bay
    Apr 30, 2019 · Researchers collaborate with Kashechewan First Nation to understand changing spring flooding in northern Ontario. By Katie Willis.Missing: seasonal patterns
  51. [51]
    New chief of flood-prone northern Ontario First Nation asks for ... - CBC
    Sep 16, 2024 · Fort Albany and Kashechewan were one community until the 1950s, when they moved to opposite sides of the Albany River. But the two First ...Missing: 1957 | Show results with:1957
  52. [52]
    Spring flooding reignites First Nation's calls for relocation
    May 6, 2025 · In 2017 and 2019, Kashechewan First Nation reached agreements with the federal and provincial governments to relocate upstream on the Albany ...Missing: 1957 | Show results with:1957
  53. [53]
    Teenage memories of water crisis inspire First Nation company
    Jan 14, 2023 · Tyson Wesley remembers being evacuated from Kashechewan during the E. coli outbreak that occurred there in 2005.Missing: hazards | Show results with:hazards
  54. [54]
    Drinking water quality in Indigenous communities in Canada and ...
    Jul 29, 2016 · Waterborne infections are more common in Indigenous communities compared to the national average, and 30% of Indigenous community water systems ...
  55. [55]
    Indoor air quality in remote first nations communities in Ontario ...
    Nov 22, 2023 · Of the 101 homes, 12 had mold damage sufficient to increase the relative risk of respiratory disease. This resulted from roof leaks, through ...
  56. [56]
    A cumulative human health risk assessment of the traditional diet of ...
    Jul 12, 2024 · Environmental contaminant exposure from traditional food consumption presents a risk for Indigenous youth (i.e., children and adolescents) ...
  57. [57]
    Traditional food consumption behaviour and concern with ... - NIH
    Mar 19, 2012 · In some instances, contaminant concern may stem from disadvantageous risk management and communication strategies in northern First Nations ...Missing: hazards | Show results with:hazards<|separator|>
  58. [58]
    Harper Government Invests in School and Community Safety in ...
    ... Kashechewan First Nation ... Kashechewan First Nation. The Government has committed funding to ... on-reserve population of approximately 1,500 residents.
  59. [59]
    Emergency Management in First Nations Communities
    Kashechewan First Nation is in northern Ontario on the western coast of James Bay. The on-reserve population in 2019 was 1,825 band members. Kashechewan is ...
  60. [60]
    Population Registered under the Indian Act by Gender and ...
    Feb 18, 2025 · There were 224 individuals who identified their gender as "Other" in 2023. In light of this growing sub-population, the decision was made to ...Missing: Kashechewan trends
  61. [61]
    [PDF] Report on the Kashechewan First Nation and its People - bac-lac.gc.ca
    The population of Kashechewan has steadily increased over the years and, although the Government of Canada officially recognizes a population for budget ...Missing: statistics | Show results with:statistics
  62. [62]
    Canada must take action to prevent climate-related migration
    Jun 8, 2025 · In May, 1,600 residents from the Kashechewan Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario evacuated again due to flooding of the Albany River, which ...
  63. [63]
    2016 Census Aboriginal Community Portrait – Fort Albany First ...
    The 2016 Census data for Aboriginal people (First Nations, Metis and Inuit) in private households - Fort Albany First Nation & Kashechewan First Nation ...
  64. [64]
    [PDF] Mortality Experience of First Nations in Northern Ontario March 2020
    There were 5,685 deaths among Mamow. Ahyamowen community members. This means there were 110 deaths for every. 1,000 community members. Looking at overall rates ...
  65. [65]
    Self-reported Effects of Water on Health in First Nations ... - NIH
    For example, in October 2005, elevated levels of Escherichia coli in drinking water led to the evacuation of more than 1000 residents of the Kashechewan reserve ...
  66. [66]
    Kashechewan rash outbreak highlights woeful First Nations health ...
    their faces and bodies covered in dark scabs and bumps. Former ...Missing: indicators | Show results with:indicators
  67. [67]
    Infant in Kashechewan First Nation dies due to respiratory illness
    Jan 7, 2025 · An infant from Kashechewan First Nation has died after acquiring Group A Streptococcus, confirmed Mushkegowuk Council Acting Grand Chief Amos Wesley.
  68. [68]
    [PDF] Declaration of Health Emergency by First Nations Communities in ...
    Mushkegowuk. Council: Jonathan Solomon,. Grand Chief. The health system is broken. … ... currently responsible for the high mortality rates of First Nations.
  69. [69]
    'Waiting is not an option anymore': First Nations declare public ...
    Feb 24, 2016 · Fiddler cited the cases of two four-year-olds who died of rheumatic fever caused by strep throat in 2014, and suicides by children as young as ...Missing: mortality | Show results with:mortality
  70. [70]
    [PDF] Nobody Wants to Die. They Want the Pain to Stop - CAID
    Oct 27, 2014 · At the peak of the regional suicide crisis in May 2010, the Mushkegowuk Council summoned the communities to a Regional. Emergency Summit to help ...Missing: mortality | Show results with:mortality
  71. [71]
    Kashechewan First Nation treaty anniversary marked - Facebook
    Aug 3, 2025 · Today, we mark the 120th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 9 at Fort Albany Post, Kashechewan First Nation, which took place on August 3, ...
  72. [72]
    [PDF] kashechewan first nation, ontario, canada - The Homeless Hub
    northern Ontario, ancestral homeland, connection to the land. I. INTRODUCTION. Kashechewan is a Cree community located in north- ern Ontario. It is located ...
  73. [73]
    [PDF] Kashechewan Evacuees - the Diocese of Moosonee
    Sep 2, 2023 · That God created us; God cares for us; God knows us by name; we are to love oth- ers; we are to show compassion; and we are to place Jesus first ...
  74. [74]
    Faith Temple Church - Kashechewan | Facebook
    The Faith Temple Church - Kashechewan group is a community of individuals who share and discuss their faith, spirituality, and personal experiences. They ...
  75. [75]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Governance - 211 Ontario
    Aug 27, 2025 · Kashechewan First Nation ... customs and traditions, healthy living, staying in school and problematic alcohol and substance use awareness.Missing: culture | Show results with:culture<|separator|>
  76. [76]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Band Office - Governance
    13B Riverside Rd Kashechewan First Nation · 705-275-4440 · 705-275-4555 · Fax: 705-275-1023 · Band Office: Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-5 pm.
  77. [77]
    New chief of flood-prone northern Ontario First Nation asks for ...
    Sep 16, 2024 · Hosea Wesley previously served six years as deputy chief of the Cree community on the James Bay Coast and was in that position in 2019 when an ...
  78. [78]
    'Now is the time for action,' says Kashechewan chief - Penticton Herald
    May 21, 2025 · In a statement Friday, Wesley “extended heartfelt thanks” to Fort Albany First Nation for stepping in to help with the helicopter evacuation ...
  79. [79]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Native Ministries International
    The Kashechewan First Nation is a Cree First Nation band located near James Bay in Northern Ontario, Canada. The Nation was established from Old Fort Albany ( ...
  80. [80]
    Financial Mismanagement in First Nations Communities in Canada
    Mar 5, 2025 ·  2. Financial Mismanagement in Kashechewan First Nation: Between 2007 and 2014, Kashechewan First Nation was under third-party management due ...1. Forensic Audit of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation: In ... - FacebookAccountability in federal funding for non-profit organizationsMore results from www.facebook.com
  81. [81]
    'Huge loss of trust,' First Nation leader says about Kashechewan ...
    Sep 22, 2016 · ... audit that reported a misappropriation of funds by Crupi, Hermann said. In a written statement, a representative of the ministry told CBC ...Missing: band | Show results with:band<|separator|>
  82. [82]
    Problems of governance | National Post
    Feb 19, 2008 · Whitehead blames the chronic problems on a paralyzed, dysfunctional council, on intransigent trustees refusing to let him at the multi ...
  83. [83]
    [PDF] KASHECHEWAN FIRST NATION
    The reporting entity includes Kashechewan First Nation government and all related entities controlled by the First Nation. (b). PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION.
  84. [84]
    Kashechewan woes boil down to leadership
    Nov 5, 2006 · Because there is no accountability, the money that First Nations receive goes to incompetence and, all-too-often, to cronies and to outright ...
  85. [85]
    Making the Treaty -Treaty No. 9 - Archives of Ontario
    Over two summers in 1905-1906, a treaty delegation journeyed throughout the James Bay watershed to meet with Indigenous communities.
  86. [86]
    Today is the 120th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 9 at Fort ...
    Aug 3, 2025 · The treaty set aside reserve lands for the community, providing rights to hunting, trapping and fishing within the treaty area for Kashechewan ...
  87. [87]
    Treaty 9 First Nations - Research Guides - Queen's University
    Aug 1, 2025 · The Nishnawbe Aski Nation represents 49 First Nations within the James Bay Treaty No. 9 region, as well as communities in the Ontario portion of Treaty No. 5.Missing: relations | Show results with:relations
  88. [88]
    Tripartite Framework Agreement to Provide Sustainable Future for ...
    Mar 31, 2017 · Today, the Governments of Ontario and Canada and the Kashechewan First Nation announced the signing of a Framework Agreement that will support a ...Missing: intergovernmental | Show results with:intergovernmental
  89. [89]
    Minister of Indigenous Services, Chief of Kashechewan First Nation ...
    May 10, 2019 · Chief Leo Friday, Minister Greg Rickford and I signed the 2019 Framework Agreement confirming the relocation of Kashechewan First Nation to higher ground.Missing: negotiations | Show results with:negotiations
  90. [90]
    Minister's Statement on Kashechewan First Nation Relocation
    May 9, 2019 · Today, Kashechewan, Ontario and the federal government signed an agreement that commits the parties to work together to develop a community ...Missing: intergovernmental relations
  91. [91]
    Committee of the Whole appearance binder
    Apr 7, 2020 · Last May, a Framework Agreement was signed with the Kashechewan First Nation and the Government of Ontario, confirming the relocation of ...
  92. [92]
    Question Period Note: Kashechewan First Nation, Ontario
    Federal officials are working together with the First Nation and provincial officials as a priority to advance the Addition to Reserve. A project manager ...Missing: intergovernmental | Show results with:intergovernmental
  93. [93]
    Grants and Contributions - Open Government Portal - Canada.ca
    Description: Grant as part of the Participant Funding Program to Kashechewan First Nation to assist in preparing for and engaging in Indigenous consultation ...
  94. [94]
    [PDF] First Nations Targeted Infrastructure Investment
    First Nations communities is a key priority of the. Government of Canada. The government has made. $2.19 billion in commitments to First Nations to build and.
  95. [95]
    Question Period Note: Kashechewan - Open Government Portal
    Kashechewan First Nation has for many years advocated for relocation of the community to a site upstream on the Albany River to mitigate the threat of annual ...Missing: website | Show results with:website
  96. [96]
    [PDF] Summary of Information on Potential for Impacts on Kashechewan First
    May 23, 2023 · The Agency is seeking to learn about direct impacts the Project could have on the exercise of Kashechewan First Nation's. Aboriginal and Treaty ...Missing: hazards | Show results with:hazards
  97. [97]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Economic Development - 211 Ontario
    Aug 28, 2025 · Description: Responsible for stimulating local economy and developing economic initiatives and opportunities for the community.Missing: activities | Show results with:activities
  98. [98]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Economic Development Corporation
    Jun 20, 2023 · Kashechewan First Nation – Economic Development Corporation · Provides information, training, and educational workshops to enhance employability ...Missing: employment | Show results with:employment
  99. [99]
    Ontario Partnering with Indigenous Communities to Advance ...
    Sep 19, 2024 · Kashechewan First Nation. $100,000, Kashechewan Community Economic Development Capacity Enhancement Project 2024-25. Kenora Chiefs Advisory.
  100. [100]
    None
    ### Summary of Kashechewan First Nation Financial Statements FY 2022-2023
  101. [101]
    None
    ### Summary of Kashechewan First Nation Financial Statements FY 2020-2021
  102. [102]
    With no economy, Kashechewan is lost - The Globe and Mail
    Feb 7, 2007 · Kashechewan is but one example of dozens of reserves across the country where economic opportunities are, shall we say, limited. Some are lucky ...
  103. [103]
    Frequent Kashechewan evacuations cost taxpayers millions - CBC
    May 25, 2016 · That means a total of more than $8 million has been spent on rent and food for those families, as well as the cost of operating a school for the ...
  104. [104]
    An Avalanche of Money: The Federal Government's Policies Toward ...
    Nov 19, 2024 · First Nations' Own Source Revenue derived from business activities is increasing less rapidly than government transfers, making First Nations ...Missing: Kashechewan | Show results with:Kashechewan
  105. [105]
    Grants and Contributions - Open Government Portal - Canada.ca
    Grants and Contributions · Kashechewan First Nation · $985,085.11 · Kashechewan First Nation · $985,814.00 · Kashechewan First Nation · $204,371.51.<|separator|>
  106. [106]
    Ending energy poverty among Indigenous communities is essential
    May 28, 2025 · In particular, Indigenous families and households have to face disproportionately high energy costs due to their geographic isolation, a lack of ...
  107. [107]
    “My Fear is Losing Everything”: The Climate Crisis and First Nations ...
    Oct 21, 2020 · As global temperatures rise, there are fewer animals migrating and traditional plants growing on First Nations' traditional territories.<|separator|>
  108. [108]
    The native water crisis | Environment Probe
    Nov 15, 2005 · This time the community is Kashechewan, a First Nation ... Its water intake pipe has often drawn in sewage from the community's waste lagoon.Missing: sanitation | Show results with:sanitation<|separator|>
  109. [109]
    A summary of federal investments and program actions related to ...
    Dec 5, 2023 · This time it was Kashechewan, a small, remote, First Nations community in the province's northeast. The federal government spent $16 million ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  110. [110]
    Question Period Note: Kashechewan - Open Government Portal
    Since March 2020, ISC has provided over $10.6M to Kashechewan First Nation to support its COVID-19 response efforts, including $1.7M since June 2021 through the ...Missing: dependency | Show results with:dependency
  111. [111]
    Kashechewan Spurs Federal Action On Water Infrastructure For First ...
    Oct 31, 2005 · The crisis over the contaminated water supply in the Kashechewan First Nation has jump started the federal government to take action on a wider front.Missing: sanitation | Show results with:sanitation
  112. [112]
    Canada and Ontario announce funding for additional clean water ...
    Oct 10, 2017 · Water Treatment Plant - Treatment Train Filter Repairs. $2,230. $1,115. June 1, 2017. Kashechewan First Nation. Repairs and Upgrades to Lagoon.
  113. [113]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Operations and Maintenance
    Aug 27, 2025 · Maintenance of equipment and operation of the water treatment and sewage treatment plants ... Garbage collection three times per week and ...Missing: wastewater sanitation
  114. [114]
  115. [115]
    Kashechewan First Nation sees arrival of first modular housing units
    Aug 9, 2016 · The federal government says dozens of modular units have arrived on the First Nation. These units will be assembled to build 52 new duplexes, ...
  116. [116]
    Indigenous Services minister says housing shortage aggravating ...
    Jun 23, 2021 · It's not unusual for up to two dozen people to share the same home in Kashechewan and there are 200 people on a housing wait list, Friday said.
  117. [117]
    Kashechewan First Nation grapples with COVID-19 outbreak
    Jun 17, 2021 · Experts believe crowded homes, blamed on a chronic housing shortage, along with a lack of places to isolate have allowed for the rampant spread ...
  118. [118]
    First Nations housing in dire need of overhaul | CBC News
    Apr 12, 2014 · He said Kashechewan built 20 new housing units two years ago but needs 300 more, and the backlog keeps growing, as about 40 new babies are ...
  119. [119]
    'Social emergency': Kashechewan skin problems blamed on poverty ...
    Mar 23, 2016 · 'Social emergency': Kashechewan skin problems blamed on poverty, overcrowding ... A home on Ontario's Kashechewan First Nation. A doctor sent to ...
  120. [120]
    Kashechewan First Nation - 20 Lot Development - Canada.ca
    Oct 10, 2023 · Indigenous Services Canada issued its notice of determination and determined that the project is not likely to cause adverse environmental ...
  121. [121]
    [PDF] RHS 2002/03 - The First Nations Information Governance Centre
    Nov 1, 2005 · ... persons per room, almost double the national rate of 0.4 persons per ... Kashechewan in October 2005. Media reports such as the ...
  122. [122]
    Kashechewan Primary Care - Mushkegowuk Health
    Our team offers routine and reliable primary health care to Kashechewan First Nation through in-person and virtual health care, reducing delays in diagnosis and ...
  123. [123]
    History - Weeneebayko Area Health Authority
    Feb 29, 2024 · Kashechewan Nursing Station is managed and operated by Indigenous Services Canada. Weeneebayko Area Health Authority works in partnership with ...
  124. [124]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Home and Community Care - 211 Ontario
    Jun 26, 2025 · Health Services administration is co-located in the same building as the Nursing Station · Situated near Niipin's Grocery Store · Operated by the ...
  125. [125]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Medical Transportation Program
    Jun 26, 2025 · Health Services administration is co-located in the same building as the Nursing Station · Situated near Niipin's Grocery Store · Operated by the ...
  126. [126]
    Costs of medical evacuation and transportation of First Nations ...
    Medical evacuation costs for First Nations and Inuit ranged from CAD $7714 to CAD $31,794, with indirect and intangible costs also identified.Missing: Kashechewan | Show results with:Kashechewan
  127. [127]
    An environmental scan of emergency response systems and ...
    Emergency medical services are among the most deficient. The burden of emergency health conditions among remote First Nations is dramatically elevated compared ...
  128. [128]
    Northern Ontario Cree Nation dealing with severe nursing shortage
    Aug 29, 2022 · The Kashechewan First Nation nursing station normally operates with nine primary care nurses but for the past month that number has been down to three.<|separator|>
  129. [129]
    Northern Ontario First Nation health system only treating ...
    Aug 26, 2022 · A remote First Nation in northern Ontario is limiting health services to emergencies only due to a lack of nurses.Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
  130. [130]
    More nurses headed to Kashechewan First Nation amid shortage
    Aug 31, 2022 · Plans are in place to send more nurses to a remote First Nation in northern Ontario that's had to limit its health-care services to emergency-only care due to ...Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
  131. [131]
    Misdiagnosis, death of cancer patient prompts review of Indigenous ...
    Nov 26, 2017 · A 2015 Auditor-General's report exposed significant failings in the delivery of health care on First Nations. It said not all nurses on reserves ...Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
  132. [132]
    Horrifying rash outbreak leads many to criticize Canada's healthcare ...
    Mar 29, 2016 · Around 30 children were affected in a rash outbreak in Canada's Kashechewan, home to the aboriginal First Nation people.
  133. [133]
    Impacts of unsafe drinking water on Indigenous reserves
    May 30, 2021 · In the Kashechewan reserve in Northern Ontario, elevated levels of Escherichia coli in the drinking water led to the evacuation of more than ...Missing: norovirus | Show results with:norovirus<|separator|>
  134. [134]
    Cree community forced to pause suicide-prevention program due to ...
    Mar 20, 2025 · Disruption to Choose Life 'will increase the risk of suicide,' says pediatrician in Kashechewan First Nation.Missing: chronic diseases
  135. [135]
    [PDF] The Health of First Nations Children and the Environment | UFV
    First Nations infants experience two times the infant mortality rate than the Canadian average and levels of morbidity and mortality among First Nations ...
  136. [136]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Hishkoonikun Education Authority
    Jun 26, 2024 · Provides educational services and supports to elementary and secondary school students living on reserve. Administers St Andrew's Elementary ...Missing: facilities | Show results with:facilities
  137. [137]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Elementary School - 211 Ontario
    Jun 26, 2024 · Includes multi-purpose areas, a library/resource centre, a gymnasium and full kitchen; Maintains playgrounds, baseball field and soccer field ...
  138. [138]
    Kashechewan First Nation - Secondary School - 211 Ontario North
    Offers a full curriculum for students from Grade 7-12 · Teaches Native language as a subject course · Provides cultural teachings including Native art, dance, ...Missing: facilities | Show results with:facilities
  139. [139]
    New $15M 'temporary' school opens in Kashechewan First Nation
    Nov 7, 2019 · The government provided $15 million for a 24-classroom school that is being built in pieces, so it can be taken apart and trucked to the new Kashechewan.
  140. [140]
    Leaders say new Kashechewan school a 'relief,' but $15M short of ...
    Sep 5, 2019 · It's been one year since Kashechewan students were forced out of the elementary school because of mouldy portables.
  141. [141]
    [PDF] Schooling at Kashechewan: Then and Now
    This is essentially a statement about local educational issues: what's good, what's bad and what needs to be improved concerning the curriculum, the staff, ...
  142. [142]
    First Nations youth: Experiences and outcomes in secondary and ...
    Jun 21, 2023 · First Nations youth living off reserve were more likely to obtain their high school diploma (73%) than First Nations youth living on reserve (46 ...Missing: Kashechewan | Show results with:Kashechewan
  143. [143]
  144. [144]
    Airport & FBO Info for CZKE KASHECHEWAN ... - FltPlan.com
    FBO & Flight Services info for CZKE. FBOs: Update your Fuel Prices. AIRPORT, Ph: 807-473-2082. -. Freq: 122.8. RUNWAY - GRAVEL. -. -. ARCAL LGTS TYPE K ...<|separator|>
  145. [145]
    Kashechewan - Air Creebec
    Corporate services · Chartered flights · Medical Charters · FBO Montreal · Service request · Medias · News · Magazine · Partners. Reservation. Sunday, 08:00, 15 ...
  146. [146]
    Flooding cuts off airport access in Kashechewan First Nation as ...
    May 1, 2025 · The road to the Kashechewan airport was flooded, forcing the First Nation to fly people by helicopter across the river to neighbouring Fort Albany.
  147. [147]
    Kashechewan calls for helicopters after airport access cut off by ...
    May 3, 2025 · Kashechewan First Nation is now conducting emergency helicopter evacuations after the community's only road to its airport was submerged under water.Missing: connectivity | Show results with:connectivity
  148. [148]
    James Bay Winter Road
    The James Bay Winter Road connects the communities of Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, and Kashechewan to Moosonee through the annual construction and maintenance ...
  149. [149]
    As ice road melts, a First Nation eyes solid ground
    Apr 14, 2025 · There are no permanent gravel or paved roads linking it to the provincial highway system. Planes are the only way in or out, outside the winter ...
  150. [150]
    The Scars To Prove It | Hazlitt
    Jan 16, 2015 · Although there are no official statistics, the local fly-in coroner estimates that 2.5 people take their lives per year in Kashechewan, which ...Missing: causes | Show results with:causes
  151. [151]
    The hurting: What can even begin to stem the tide of brutal loss?
    Jul 1, 2010 · Suicide rates on the west coast of James Bay are 100 times higher than the Canadian average in 2009.Missing: causes | Show results with:causes<|separator|>
  152. [152]
    [PDF] Acting on What We Know: - Preventing Youth Suicide in First Nations
    First Nations Youth Suicide Rates are High. Suicide occurs roughly five to six times more often among First. Nations youth than non-Aboriginal youth in Canada.Missing: Kashechewan 2010-2025<|separator|>
  153. [153]
    Kashechewan rejects Timmins move: survey | CBC News
    Mar 16, 2007 · The federal governmentfirstmoved the people of Kashechewan against their will to the low-lying land in 1957. The reserve has been evacuated ...
  154. [154]
    A move to higher ground for Kashechewan - Windspeaker.com
    Kashechewan, which is Cree for 'where the water flows fast', sits on the banks of the Albany River and has been flooding for a very long time on an annual basis ...
  155. [155]
    Indians reject Timmins move - Toronto Star
    Mar 16, 2007 · OTTAWA–Residents of Northern Ontario's besieged Kashechewan reserve have turned down a recommended move to Timmins in favour of rebuilding ...
  156. [156]
    Voice of the People on the Re-Location Issue: Kashechewan First ...
    May 31, 2015 · When a federal government report recommended that the community of Kashechewan First Nation be relocated to Timmins Ontario, the community ...Missing: resistance | Show results with:resistance
  157. [157]
    Northern Ontario chief says his community continues to 'fear ... - CBC
    Apr 21, 2023 · The chief of Kashechewan says his Cree community on Ontario's James Bay Coast remains at risk of flooding every spring because of the neighbouring First Nation.
  158. [158]
    Running from the shadows of despair - The Globe and Mail
    Nov 9, 2006 · ... Kashechewan accuse their council of financial mismanagement and patronage. The band is currently running a deficit. One of the problems in ...
  159. [159]
    Former Kashechewan band administrator pleads guilty in $1.2M ...
    Nov 29, 2017 · Former co-manager of Kashechewan First Nation pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud after being arrested by the RCMP in 2016.