First Nations communities from across the Maritimes are delivering truckloads of clean water to Potlotek First Nation, which is in a time of crisis.
Eskasoni First Nation delivered 20,000 litres on Friday.
“The whole community of Eskasoni is very bothered by Potlotek's water crisis, so for us to help is an absolute no brainer,” said Crane Cove CEO Leonard Denny.
It's the first sign of hope since the Potlotek residents started seeing yellow, brown and black water coming out of their taps.
“I feel good about it,” said resident Mary-Anne Marshall. “I didn't know people cared so much about us. I didn't think anybody cared.”
Help also arrived from the federal government of Firday. For days, people haven't been able to bathe because of water conditions in their homes. But newly-arrived portable showers will change that.
“Everything is fighting us. Coliform, E.coli, manganese, iron and God knows what else is in there,” said Wilbert Marshall, Chief of Potlotek First Nation. “My people don't trust Health Canada anymore. They want to do an independent study.”
Members of the community slowed the traffic through their community for more than two hours Friday afternoon, urging the public to help with what they say is a crisis in their community.
“I hope this here accomplishes that we have pure water for our future generations. We're fighting for ourselves and we're fighting for our children,” said resident Robert Pictou.
Residents have posted flyers letting the public know of their concerns and signs with desperate pleas from both young and old.
“Last night I went home and I just cried,” said resident Bernadette Marshall. “I cried for what's going on to my community, the community that I love. My Potlotek, our Potlotek. Our people are very, very good people.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore.
