The Sakimay First Nation is dealing with an unprecedented influx of waste at its landfill site, and band officials say they don’t know where it’s coming from or how to stop it.
The waste collection site is one of the few left in eastern Saskatchewan that doesn’t charge a fee and has no staff.
It's all done on the honour system – a generous arrangement many seem to be taking advantage of. Items are supposed to be placed in designated areas, with recyclables separated out.
But instead, truckloads of garbage – including paint, chemicals and propane – are being dumped into a pit and burned.
Meanwhile, septic trucks steadily come and go from Sakimay every day. Officials admit they have no idea which, if any of them, have permission to dump on the reserve.
The problem has been getting worse for years, but last year's flooding in the nearby Qu'Appelle Valley brought it to a head.
Hundreds of people looking to get rid of waterlogged possessions dumped them at the site on the cheap.
Baron Peterson of the Sakimay First Nation says there should be designated hours and someone at the gate to check if the waste is toxic.
However, the band has been denied any additional funding to pay for a guard for their garbage.
Officials say, at this point, they aren’t certain which action they should take, other than to hope people stop taking advantage, and start following the rules.
Based on a report by Dale Hunter, CTV Regina
