At a ceremony this morning on Cedar Road, ground was broken on a water infrastructure project that will finally bring clean drinking water to Snuneymuxw First Nation Indian Reserve #2. Over the past decade and longer water has been trucked to this community at high cost because of contaminated groundwater making the old wells unusable and for lack of proper drinking water infrastructure.

The provision of water to I.R. #2 comes pursuant to collaboration between the City of Nanaimo and the Snuneymuxw First Nation that began in 2010 in relation to the City’s planned water treatment facility. "ʺWe are glad to see partnership between the City and Snuneymuxw providing a foundation for real change in the quality of life of Snuneymuxw and citizens of Nanaimo. While we continue to have many challenges between us with respect to water, this is one model of partnership that has worked and needs to be celebrated,"ʺ said Chief White. "ʺI am particularly appreciative of the leadership of Mayor Ruttan and the City Council in moving this particular collaboration forward"ʺ.

“The City of Nanaimo celebrates this important development for all of us living together in this region. The construction of this critical drinking water project demonstrates what can be achieved through real partnership,” added Mayor John Ruttan of the City of Nanaimo.

“This project is one small step in assisting Snuneymuxw citizens to unlock the full potential of their land. It is a day to celebrate for Snuneymuxw. So many of our Indigenous relations across the island, province and country continue to face challenges with providing this most basic of needs – clean and safe drinking water - to their people” added Chief White

For further information, contact Chief Douglas White III Kwulasultun at 250-756-7563 or Mayor John Ruttan at 250-755-4400.