Water

Scopes main barriers and opportunities with regard to First Nations and the management and state of their waters, and discusses the role that philanthropy might play in building resilience, sustainability and capacity. Topics include context of water use in Canada, water challenges facing First Nations, and possible program and project development initiatives.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Westbank Indian Band by Larry Derrickson, Micha Menczer, and Gary Swite. Derrickson, a Band Councillor, gives a demographic overview and brief history of the First Nation, its three reserves, economic activities, by-laws, motions towards self-governance, justice issues, B.C. treaty making, resources and funding concerns. Micha Menczer, Legal Advisor to the Band, discusses self-government and land issues, jurisdictional confusion in social services, the Constitution, and the B.C. treaty making process.

This file contains a presentation by Lawrence Coutreille and Jeffrey Rath relating to broken treaties. They state that Fort McKay is 20 kilometers from the two biggest oil-sands in Canada, yet half the community does not have water and sewer, adequate roads and infrastructure. The speakers say that treaty promises have been broken and cite a number of Canadian court cases that favored Aboriginals. A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Mary Teya, Community Health Representative. Teya discusses health staffing concerns; alcoholism; the community's Concerned Persons Committee; suicide; running water, sewage, and basic infrastructure for Aboriginal people. Following the presentation Teya discusses some of the issues raised with the assembled Commissioners.

File contains a presentation by Tony Sinclair, Student, Anicinabe School. Sinclair, who is Junior Chief of Anicinabe School highlights a variety of concerns including: a lack of recreation and related facilities for youth, the need for daycare, the need for improved road infrastructure, the need for running water, and a request that the school board cut funding for band students who go to school off reserve and invest that funding in the community's school instead.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of the Peigan Indian Band by Chief Leonard Bastien, Rod North Peigan, and Edwin Yellow Horn. Chief Basiten discusses some of the issues which face the Piegan people including water rights (including with reference to the Oldman River dispute), and reserve land expropriation. Chief Bastien also relates some of the history of his people, their creation story, the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877, the implications and aftermath of the Treaty process, and grievances against the government.

The file contains a presentation on behalf of Secwepemc re: Chiefs Memorial 1910 by Chief Nathan Matthew, Chief Antoine Archie, Chief Lenny Sellars, and Bob Manuel.

Act outlines the rights of the Sioux Nation related to economic development, self-determination, traditional religion, and preserving the sacred Black Hills.

Critiques the Act and makes the following recommendations for revision: funding commitments and roles be stipulated, the right of communities to build and own and operate their own systems explicitly stated, liabilities and responsibilities for governments and private companies be outlined, and a clause on free, prior and informed consent be included.

Presents news about drinking water standards and the Federal government.

Law Thesis (LLM)--Western University, 2018.

Study involved 579 participants from eight communities responding to four health-related questions: individual health concerns about drinking tap water; household concerns about drinking tap water; reported impact on physical health; and reported impact on mental health.

Lesson plans for both elementary and secondary students.

Natural Resources Management Thesis (MNRM)--University of Manitoba, 2016.

Environment and Management Thesis (M.Sc.)--Royal Roads University, 2002.

Examines the effectiveness of photovoice as a community based means to mobilize Indigenous water knowledge.

Examines the challenges to provide potable water to communities in Ontario; the role of government centered policy development and the identification of areas needing supportive policy.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--The University of Guelph, 2011.

Presents information about the First Nations Environmental Health Innovation Network and discusses issues such as: food security, water quality, indoor air quality, and knowledge transfer and exchange.

Book review of: Stealing the Gila: The Pima Agricultural Economy and Water Deprivation, 1848-1921 by David H. DeJong.

Lists 11 pieces of legislation and explains why they are of concern to First Nations.

Reviews key findings on the effects of supporting green and local infrastructure to improve the environment of First Nations communities, promote long-term economic growth, and upgrade infrastructure.

Environment and Management Thesis (M.Sc.)--Royal Roads University, 2010.

American Indian Studies Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Arizona, 2007.

Reports on Health Canada creating a program that empowers local First Nations residents to take ownership for monitoring of safe drinking water. Environment, Sustainability and Society and Biology Honours [Paper] (B.Sc.)--Dalhousie University, 2013.

Geography Thesis (M.A.)--Queen's University, 2003.

Examines legislative reasons for inconsistency between the water quality on First Nations reserves and other Canadian communities.

Short documentary about the lack of safe, drinkable water in First Nations communities. Focuses on Keewaywin First Nation in northern Ontario. Duration: 14:06.

Teacher's guide for use with Thirst, a short documentary by Gail Maurice about the lack of clean, safe water in First Nations communities. Focuses on Keewaywin First Nation in northern Ontario.

Discusses the impact of contaminants and provides lists of strategies for service providers.

Promotes Kelowna Accord intiatives, arguing they need to be enacted to stem aboriginal poverty.

Classroom lesson plan to accompany segment on DVD News in Review: December 2005.

Article describes current progress and further steps needed in order to achieve a mutually satisfying outcome.

Discussion of First Nations Water Management Strategy (FNWMS) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) efforts in supporting operator training, giving the example of Louie Sabbas.

Law Thesis (LL.M.)--University of British Columbia, 2012.

Law Thesis (LL.M.)--University of Victoria, 2014.

French language transcript, with English translation, of a speech given by a student from The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, about on-reserve boil water advisories, urban infrastructure, and access to medicine, nutrition and food security issues. Given at Art Oratoire, a public speaking competition in Quebec.

Looks at the access to safe drinking water in Indigenous communities and how Source Water Protection can provide a means to deal with this issue in the long term.

Discusses the initiatives of the Centre including the basic right to clean drinking water and proper sanitation. Duration: 34:29.

Looks at lawsuit filed by the Colville Indian Reservation in 1951 against the United Sates government regarding lands used for the building of the Grand Coulee Dam. History Capstone Thesis--Commonwealth Honors College, 2011.

Geology and Geophysics Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Calgary, 1997.

Analyzes community well-being in Manitoba using three measures: self-assessed personal health, reported improvements in family finances, hope for the community's economy. Scroll down to page 69 to read article.

Reports on water quality and wastewater treatment facilities on reserves, including mechanical problems at treatment plants, lack of trained operators, and/or lack of inspection and testing.

Entire issue on one pdf. To access article scroll to p.1.

Examines issues surrounding waste management on First Nations communities.

Current as of 2012. Includes general and as well as Aboriginal-specific material.

Discusses how colonization has limited local community responses to issues of safe drinking water on reserves.

Outlines activities undertaken in three priority areas: enhanced capacity building and training, enforceable standards and protocols, and infrastructure investments. Also summarizes capital investments and outcomes of recent inspections of systems.

Report summarizes the major findings from a workshop on the challenges and solutions relating to water governance in First Nations communities.