NAN Supports Constance Lake as Inquest into Deadly Blastomycosis Outbreak Set to Begin

October 14, 2025

THUNDER BAY, ON: The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Council supports Constance Lake First Nation as the community prepares for a coroner’s inquest into a deadly outbreak of blastomycosis that claimed the lives of five people between 2021-2022:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those we have lost to this terrible outbreak – Luke Moore, Lorraine Shaganash, Lizzie Sutherland, Mark Ferris, and Douglas Taylor – their families, and everyone in the Constance Lake community.

We acknowledge the efforts of Former Chief Arthur Moore, with the support of Chief Allen and Council, for their perseverance and determination to seek answers into these deaths and understand the environmental conditions that led to this deadly outbreak.

This inquest will be a long and difficult process for everyone involved. We will support the community in every way possible to help Chief and Council protect the health of their members.

This deadly lung infection continues to pose serious risk to the community, and we look forward to understanding more about what, if anything, can be done to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.”

Constance Lake experienced a devastating blastomycosis outbreak in the fall of 2021. Five people lost their lives between November 2021 and January 2022 and more than 50 people were infected. Following the outbreak’s emergency response CLFN partnered with Four Rivers, Matawa’s Environmental Services Group, and Laurentian University on a research team. Community driven efforts led to the laboratory-confirmed detection of Blastomyces species in CLFN’s homelands.

Blastomycosis is a serious pulmonary infection that results from inhalation of fungal spores most often found in moist soil and decaying organic matter. The source of the fungal spores is currently unknown, significantly increasing the risk of exposure.

The inquest is scheduled to begin Wednesday, October 15. It will explore the significant circumstances surrounding these deaths and make recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. It is expected to run for 25 days and hear from approximately 30 witnesses.

More information about the inquest is available here.

A link to view the inquest proceedings is available here.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca

NT5