Roads and Sanitation Update

Roads Update

Occasional poor road conditions in Neyaashiinigmiing are the result of many factors: leaking water lines, age-damaged culverts, frost, flow-restricted ditches and lack of fresh tar and chip over the years.  In the coming days, weeks and months, the Roads Department will be filling the potholes that are able to be filled. Some sections of asphalt road surface will be cut out and graveled as these sections will not be paved/tar and chipped until the new water line project is complete. The Roads Department will also be excavating some ditches to remove organic build-up that is obstructing the flow of water, which will reduce the amount of water migrating under nearby road surfaces. Culverts that require replacing will also be replaced.

Please be aware this will be an ongoing task. The Roads Department asks that you remain careful and diligent when driving in the community, as the roads workers will be ever-present.  Should you notice an area in need of urgent attention/maintenance, please kindly call the Roads Department at (519) 534-1036, or email publicworks@nawash.ca.

Thank you kindly,

Jeff Leonard, Acting Roads Supervisor

Sanitation Update

Since the community switched to bi-weekly Blue Box pick-up, we have noticed a substantial change in the volume of recyclables.

When we were collecting weekly, our average recycled waste was approximately 500 pounds per week. Now that we are collecting bi-weekly, our average has increased to approximately 2000 pounds bi-weekly. This has been an increase of about 1000 pounds diverted from landfill every 2 weeks! Great work!

In the coming weeks, the Sanitation Department will be dropping off a new Blue Box to every household, along with some extra recycling information.

Chi-miigwech to all Neyaashiinigmiing Residents for your commitment to the recycling program!

Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Sanitation Department

Naming Contest for New Infrastructure

The Wharf rebuild has been completed and the new Water Treatment Plant build is underway, with a brand new road leading to the construction site.  Now we need appropriate names for these valuable components of our infrastructure.

We are announcing a naming contest – or three naming contests, to be exact – for our new builds. We will be naming:

  • The new Wharf
  • The new Road to the Water Treatment Plant being built
  • The new Water Treatment Plant itself

Each name chosen will earn the creator a $500 cash prize and the unique honour of naming a permanent piece of our community.

Submit your ideas to Band Office Reception, by mail or drop-off, in a sealed envelope marked “Naming Contest”. The Band Office is located at 135 Lakeshore Boulevard, Neyaashiinigmiing, ON, N0H 2T0.

This contest is open to all members of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Submissions will be accepted until April 29, at 4:00 PM.

We are excited to hear each of your ideas! Good luck to all entrants!

Update on Kaikaiknong Crescent Road Maintenance

Please be advised that as Kaikaiknong Crescent is still under construction, all road maintenance duties will be provided by the general contractor of Kaikaiknong Crescent, Bridge Excavating.

Dependent on weather conditions and the amount of winter frost remaining in the road, road maintenance in the Crescent will be conducted by Bridge Excavating in the coming weeks.

Once full construction of Kaikaiknong Crescent is complete, the Chippewas of Nawash Roads Department will be responsible for all ongoing road maintenance.

We will continue to keep the public and residents of Kaikaiknong Crescent informed as the development of this important project continues.

– Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Roads Department

Safe Winter Driving Tips

Driving during winter weather and road conditions requires extra caution and preparedness to increase your safety and minimize risk. Following a few basic tips will help you and your passengers arrive safely at your destination.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter

  • Install four winter tires on your vehicle. The tread design and rubber compound of a winter tire differs from all-season tires,  improving traction and reducing stopping distance on snow and ice.
  • Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained. Ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Wipers designed for winter are best. Keep the washer fluid reservoir adequately filled with winter washer fluid.
  • Try to keep your gas tank at least half full at all times.
  • Keep an emergency winter kit in your vehicle. Some useful items include, blanket, winter clothing, booster cables, portable shovel, flashlight, and a non-perishable emergency food supply ( nuts, dried fruit and protein bars work well).

Winter Driving

  • Adjust your driving according to road and weather conditions. Slow down and allow greater stopping distances. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
  • Avoid quick acceleration, hard braking and abrupt turns. All of these actions risk the loss of traction and steering control.
  • Before driving, take time to properly defrost and clean your vehicle of snow including headlights and tail lights. You will see better and others will see you better.
  • Drive with your headlights and tail lights on at all times. (Daytime running lights will not illuminate tail lights on most vehicle models).
  • Watch for snow plows, sanders and other road maintenance equipment. Give them space to safely perform their jobs.
  • Obey closed road signs. Roads are closed for your safety. Travelling on closed roadways may also void your vehicle insurance coverage.
  • The safest option is to avoid travel during poor weather and road conditions unless absolutely necessary.

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday!

Vince Wurfel, Supervisor
Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation Police

Employment Opportunity – DZ Driver with Plow Experience

The Chippewas of Nawash Roads Department is seeking a qualified DZ Driver with Plow Experience. The DZ Driver will operate automatic transmission trucks or other automated equipment, conducts Pre-Trip and Post-Trip inspections daily, tracks start and stop mileage or machine hours per job, and performs specific duties related to the construction, repair and maintenance of Band infrastructure, facilities and properties as needed.

Visit the Employment Opportunities page for more information. Paper copies of the job posting and description are available in the Band Office.

Trash and Recycling Pick-Up

Neyaashiinigmiing residents are reminded of the waste pick-up guidelines.

Trash is collected on Mondays. All materials must be on the road shoulder for pick-up by 8:00 AM. Included items are regular household waste, flattened cardboard boxes, glass and bottles.

Recycling is collected on Tuesdays. All materials must be on the road shoulder for pick-up by 8:00 AM. Included items are cleaned plastic, metal and aluminum containers.

*Note that cardboard and glass is not recycled.

Reminder: Obey All Traffic Control Signs

Our dedicated Roads Department crew is always out improving the roads and shoulders in the community. When the crew is working on the roads, and they don’t have the resources to have live traffic control, they will set up traffic control signs to notify motorists. Unfortunately, the Roads Department has been having difficulty recently with motorists ignoring traffic control signs, including road closures. This poses a serious risk to the Roads staff, as well as to the motorists.

All residents are reminded to obey all road closure signs. Where traffic is permitted, please slow down and proceed with caution.

We ask everybody to respect our hard-working staff and keep our community safe!