Proper funding of Indigenous infrastructure is a path to healing, justice and equity

In a powerful Op-Ed for the Toronto Star, Chief Donna Big Canoe of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation discusses the urgent need for proper funding of Indigenous infrastructure.   

Her words shed light on the challenges faced by Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and the pressing issues of health, safety, and access to essential resources. 

Chief Big Canoe highlights the community’s reliance on an aging, diesel-fueled ferry and the struggles they face when the lake freezes during harsh winters. The consequences are far-reaching, from disrupted family life to tragic loss of lives due to inadequate transportation and emergency services. 

The Trent Severn Waterway's impact on the community's connection to the mainland is also addressed, emphasizing the need, not just for acknowledgment, but action to rectify historical injustices. 

Chief Big Canoe calls for genuine reconciliation, emphasizing that it goes beyond words and must include tangible actions. Bridging the Indigenous infrastructure gap is essential to providing First Nations communities with equal access and opportunities for safety and wellbeing.  

Read the full Op-Ed in the Toronto Star here.