MISHKEEGOGAMANG – Mishkeegogamang First Nation is an Ojibwa nation located 500km north of Thunder Bay. Like other northern communities, Mishkeegogamang faces traumatizing poverty, despite billions of dollars of resources being extracted from their territory by the gold mining industry. A Northwestern Health Unit report stated that as many as 21 people live under one roof, and it is not uncommon for people to sleep in shifts to assure everyone access to a bed.
Of the 1,644 people living in Mishkeegogamang First Nation, 8.6 people live in every house, leading to crises of overflowing septic tanks, homes without electricity or sewage, hundreds on constant suicide watch, and traumatizing poverty. A further 1,000 members of the community are in jail and nearly 300 people have lost their lives suddenly since 1981.
Mishkeegogamang is on what is called Treaty 9 territory. Tom Wassaykeesic, a band councillor working hard to seek justice for his people, explained “According to the governments… we surrendered the land and all its resources. But our ancestors never agreed to surrender anything. We’ve always believed that the spirit and intent of the Treaty No.9 is to share the land.”
The original site where the treaty was signed is now underwater. In 1934, the Ontario government chose to build a hydro dam to supply the Pickle Crow Gold mine with hydro. Water began to rise in 1935, washing away homes, gardens and gravesites for the man-made Lake St. Joseph. People were not told they would be flooded and awoke to find water rising in their homes.
In the face of government inaction, members of Mishkeegogamang have organized their own clothing and furniture drive in preparation for the coming winter. The group is looking for volunteers for furniture pick-up crews (we have lovely gifts for volunteers), donations to cover the driver and fuel, and furniture such as beds, tables, chairs, mattresses, couches, warm clothes, and blankets. The group is also looking for washers, dryers, bookcases, clothes, TVs, computers.
The CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group is supporting members of Mishkeegogamang First Nation in organizing this furniture drive. If you can donate your time, furniture or clothing please contact: cupe3903fnswg@gmail.com or call (647) 295 0078.
