Tainted water, rotting homes, annual flooding, 85 per cent unemployment, escalating rates of suicide-sound like Canada Unfortunately, it's the desperate circumstances of a remote community in northern Ontario. The residents of the Kashechewan reserve have been evacuated three times in the past two years due to health hazards from drinking water to sewage back ups.

Unacceptable Yes. Shameful Absolutely. Unique No.

Not long ago, Canadians watched in disbelief the disturbing images of kids living in squalor and sniffing gasoline in the remote reserve of Davis Inlet in Newfoundland and Labrador. Those reserve residents were twice moved to new locations but with no change in social pathologies that plagued the community. Why The moves were mere transplants; the same ill conceived colonial polices remained. The only difference was the surroundings.

A similar crisis emerged in the reserve community of Pikangikum, Ontario. Again, a remote, isolated and economically untenable reserve, Pikangikum has witnessed 23 suicides this year alone. Houses are dilapidated, and only a few have water and sewage services. Another northern reserve community, Attawapiskat, declared a state of emergency due to a sewage waste leak in the river where the reserve gets its drinking water.

There are 49 reserves across the North with 19 under boil water advisories. These communities are hundreds of kilometers from any type of town centre, hospital, post-secondary facility-and apart from the occasional media report-the minds of decision makers that should be taking the lead role to end this intolerable plight of colonialism.

There is, however, a glimpse of humanity percolating in Ottawa. Recently, special federal representative Alan Pope presented his report and recommendations to the Minster of Indian Affairs on the problems facing the Kashechewan reserve.

Mr. Pope was appointed in June of this year to develop a plan for a long term and sustainable solution for the community of Kashechewan. After going door to door to meet with reserve residents and studying the issues for a five month period, Mr. Pope presents several long term proposals to the federal government.

The report favours moving the community to the outskirts of Timmins for a "fresh start." It does not, however, set out how the re-location would take place. But the details of the recommendation are less important than its implications. Keeping aboriginal communities shut out of the economic and social opportunities of a modern economy because of the absurd notion that their traditional way of life four hundred years ago has been untouched is not only patronizing but has lead to great suffering.

The recommendation to move near a town centre is a tacit admission that the status quo policy of keeping communities isolated in remote albeit, traditional areas, has been a failure. Acknowledging the hardship this failed policy has inflicted may be yet another step to re-thinking aboriginal policy and may help to build a foundation for prosperity for Canada's aboriginal people.

Alan Pope, also a resident of Timmins, holds hope and faith that the families of Kashechewan can be contributing, healthy members of his community. He also acknowledges that the key recommendation of his report may ignite a political debate for other troubled, isolated reserves in Canada. Hopefully, the Minister of Indian Affairs will demonstrate the same fortitude, common sense and compassion as Mr. Pope when it comes time to make a decision about the future for the people of Kashechewan. Perhaps this is the light at the end of Canada's dark colonial tunnel.