Ginoogaming First Nation Open Temporary Modular Bridge Across the Making Ground River

November 28, 2024

GINOOGAMING, ON: After completion of installation today, Ginoogaming First Nation (GFN) Chief and Council marks the opening of a temporary modular bridge across the Making Ground River. The former 70 year-old structure was closed to all vehicle traffic earlier this month after an engineering inspection determined that the bridge was at risk of immediate failure. For over twenty years, GFN has warned the provincial and federal government that the privately-owned bridge, which provides the only direct access to the community, was unsafe. On November 6, 2024, GFN Chief and Council made a Declaration of Emergency, and closed Blueberry Street to all vehicle traffic leading to the bridge.

Since the closure of the bridge, community members have been forced to use an alternative route on a poorly maintained bush road to access services and travel outside the community. The closure of the bridge created tremendous strain on everyone in the community. “On behalf of Chief and Council, we would like to acknowledge the sacrifice community members made for 22 days and their support in standing with us as we move towards getting a new permanent bridge. We couldn’t have done our work without the support of our members”, said Chief Taylor.

The decision to deploy a temporary modular bridge was required after the private owner of the bridge permitted the structure to fall into disrepair. GFN is committed to discharging its inherent right to make decisions that affect the health and safety of its members. GFN acted quickly as there was little confidence that its Treaty partners, Ontario and Canada, would take decisive action to restore access to the community.

“We are grateful that the contractor held true to their construction schedule. Vehicles (including school buses) and pedestrian traffic can now safely pass as we work towards progress on a new bridge to be owned by GFN that will include funding for ongoing maintenance,” said GFN Chief Sheri Taylor. “Unfortunately, because this remains a temporary solution, we cannot lift the Declaration of Emergency until permanent access to the community is restored,” she added. “For the community, we showed our commitment to self-determination and decolonization because members of our Nation who crossed the bridge every day knew that it was unsafe. We want this bridge to one day be a positive symbol of a Nation-to-Nation relationship with our Treaty partners,” she concluded.

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For more information, please contact: Carol Audet, Communications Manager, Matawa First Nations at (807) 632-9663 or by email at caudet@matawa.on.ca.

NT5