Neskantaga First Nation - Band Office

Functions as the governing office for the community; oversees all community programs, services and facilities

Activities and services for community members also include but are not limited to the following:

• Hospital services available at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
• Ontario First Nation Policing arrangements through Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services (NAPS) Northwest Region; local phone: 807-479-2564; fax: 807-479-2706
• Child and Family services provided by Tikinagan Child and Family Services, head office in Thunder Bay; office in Neskantaga phone: 807-479-1067
• Neskantaga FN has the longest-standing drinking water advisory of any First Nation in the country; they have been on a boil-water advisory since 1995. Chief Moonias estimates that at least a million dollars has been spent on bottled water from 1995 to 2015
• Water treatment plant upgrades awarded to contractor in 2017; a dispute between FN/contractor halted the work in Feb 2019; new contractor put in place by federal gov't with work resumed and slated for completion in Oct 2019; issues persist with water treatment and in Nov/Dec 2020 community evacuated due to oily sheen discovered on lake surface and no clean water for community members
• Offers several private businesses which include the Neskantaga Northern store, Leo's Confectionary and Trappers Co-op Store
• Provides a Canada Post postal station and Community Centre
• Administers the Neskantaga Education Centre and provides the Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre
• Offers a local community radio station
• Serviced with flights to/from Lansdowne House Airport, administered and operated by Ministry of Transportation
• Participates in the Junior Canadian Rangers Program for youth (12-18 years) which teaches various skills including but not limited to first aid, using rifles safely, hunting and fishing, Native customs and traditions, healthy living, staying in school and drug and alcohol abuse awareness
• Opened the Neskantaga Training Centre in Aug 2014 with state-of-the art technology which offers a wide variety of curriculum including access to secondary and post-secondary institutions, safety training courses, and trades and technical certification

Services and Programs:

• Extended Health Benefits
• Family Well Being Program
• Housing Authority
• Ontario Works
• Public Works Department
• Volunteer Fire Department
• Youth Program
• Rachael Bessie Sakanee Memorial Health Centre - Health and Social Services