The chief of Eabametoong First Nation says the results of water tests in the community are showing a first step toward residents being able to return home.
The community has been under a state of emergency since a fire that broke out on July 5 damaged the water treatment plant, leaving people without running water.
The situation led to hundreds of people being relocated to Thunder Bay, with others being hosted in Niagara Falls.
Chief Sol Atlookan suggested people could return home in less than a week if everything goes according to plan.
The chief said he informed the community Tuesday morning that the results showed the water quality was the same as before the fire, though there remains more work within the community with the water distribution system before the process to return home can begin.
"They're pretty happy with it," he said. "I just talked to the elder ... and he's pretty happy with the news. He's fine with being here. He'd rather see the water be 100 per cent safe for other use other than consumption."
Atlookan said the test results indicate the water meets the threshold for every day use, which includes washing clothes and dishes. The community had been under a drinking water advisory prior to the fire, which will remain in effect.
The next steps are for the entire water system to be flushed, which is expected to take up to two days, the chief added, and would be followed by subsequent testing.
Atlookan said the evacuation process with Indigenous Services Canada has gone well, with federal representatives meeting with community leaders daily.
The community decided to host a last-minute powwow at the host hotel in Thunder Bay on Monday night. The chief said he was pleased to see the turnout.
"It's very important. You can just imagine what it's like when you're uprooted from your own environment. Having to stay at the hotel, there's limited things you can do and kids get restless," Atlookan said. "Activities have been going very well. The community here in Thunder Bay has organized some stuff — field trips. Every day that has been happening."
As the evacuation has extended into multiple weeks, Atlookan said it has taken a toll on community members who are missing home.
The chief said the planning to return home has been happening behind the scenes, and attempts are being made to secure two aircraft in Thunder Bay for the repatriation.
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu and Indigenous-Crown Relations Minister Marc Miller met with community leaders and visited with evacuees on Monday.
"Infrastructure in remote communities, it's often difficult to get equipment or people in," Hajdu said. "When a critical piece of infrastructure like a water plant is damaged in a First Nation, there's often not any backup. There's not a secondary plant or another source of water that can be easily acquired.
"It's really difficult for people to be evacuated for this length of time but the chief seems pleased that the progress on restoring the plant is underway."
The investigation into the fire has led to two teens facing arson charges.