A water treatment plant in Beaver First Nation, Alberta is now complete, along with six new housing units.
The water project received $14.2 million in funding from the government of Canada, according to a press release. This included the construction of the water treatment plant, a raw water intake, treated water reservoir and a distribution main to the Beaver First Nation Boyer River area.
Six new housing units were also built to accommodate large families in response to the First Nation’s rising population, reported the press release. Located in Treaty 8 Territory near High Level, Alberta, approximately 450 people live on the reserve.
The government of Canada contributed $1.8 million towards the project, which included multi-unit accommodations and a new unit specifically addressing the needs of disabled youth.
“Congratulations to Chief Mercredi and Beaver First Nation on the opening of their new water treatment plant and six new housing units,” said Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller. “The infrastructure gap between Indigenous communities and the rest of Canada is very real, and our government remains committed to working in partnership with First Nations to support the building up of communities so that residents are guaranteed access to clean water and safe, suitable housing.”
The new water plant is connected to an existing six-plex housing unit and has connections for future housing units, according to the press release.
The government is investing $4.5 billion over the next 5 years in new funding towards Indigenous peoples, reported Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
