A State of Emergency has been declared by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation over winter roads.

Thirty communities within NAN’s territory rely on the winter road season for the delivery of essential goods such as fuel, equipment, building materials and non-perishable goods.

The declaration comes as the Chiefs-in-Assembly wrapped a meeting in Thunder Bay Friday.

The organization is calling upon Indigenous Services Canada, the Ontario Minister of Northern Development, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Indigenous Affairs Ontario to immediately facilitate the required freight and road subsidies to the affected communities for fuel and essential non-pershible goods.

Mild temperatures and thin ice have lead to a poor winter road season.

As of February 2nd the winter road status to 20 communities including Pikangikum, Eabametoong, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Kingfisher Lake and North Spirit Lake remain under construction.

Ten other roads are open to light loads only and one road, to North Caribou Lake, is open to full loads.