Grassy Narrows Long-term Care and Treatment Facility Construction

Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (ANA) or Grassy Narrows First Nation (GNFN), is an Ojibway First Nation located in Northwestern Ontario, 80 km from Kenora and is accessible year-round via Highway 671, with a reserve land base of roughly 4,130 ha. As of February 2022, Grassy Narrows First Nation had a registered population of 1,599 with 968 living on reserve. The Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (ANA or Grassy Narrows) First Nation is an Ojibway First Nation with a reserve land base of roughly 4,130 ha. Grassy Narrows people have lived along the English-Wabigoon River northeast of Lake of the Woods since time immemorial.

Throughout the 1960's and early 1970's, Reed Paper Mill in Dryden, Ontario released approximately 9,000 kg of mercury into the Wabigoon-English River system. As a result, community members in GNFN who have been exposed to mercury have suffered from a variety of adverse health effects shown to have transgenerational effects. The effects of mercury poisoning continue to be felt by community members today and those affected require access to specialized services to support their health needs.

The proposed project entails both the design and development of the 70,000 sq.ft Mercury Care Home and Treatment Centre and associated works within the site boundaries. The building is modeled after a canoe, a culturally significant motif, and externally includes a parking lot, helicopter pad and walking trails. The designated area for building the walking trails, driveway and parking lot will require a total of approximately 4600m² of tree/bush clearing. Additionally, 10,140m³ excavation will be required for earthworks and grading activites. The Treatment Centre will be located on high ground within the Community Road peninsula, which will be a short distance west of the community hub. The proposed project location is attached titled "Mercury Care Home Location."

More

Latest update

June 10, 2024 - The assessment decision statement has been issued to the proponent.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Grassy Narrows Long-term Care and Treatment Facility Construction - May 10, 2024

Contacts

Indigenous Services Canada
Michael Wozny, Environment Officer
100 Place Anemki, Suite 101
Fort William First Nation
Fort William First Nation, Ontario P7J 1A5
Telephone: 807-624-1526
Email: michael.wozny@canada.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Grassy Narrows Long-term Care and Treatment Facility Construction (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Building and Property Development

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2024-05-10

  • Proponent

    Grassy Narrows First Nation

  • Authorities

    • Indigenous Services Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    88547

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: