Indigenous-driven water governance approaches crucial, experts say
As work on combating water issues facing First Nations in Canada continues, researchers and organizations are increasingly looking at the role of Indigenous self-determination in terms of policy, research and governance.
In November, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) held its third annual water symposium, with the theme of First Nations Water Post-2021.
With the federal government goal of ending all long-term boil water advisories on First Nations by March 2021 approaching , the event explored the complex issues at play behind those advisories and steps for moving forward.
Self-determination, including as it relates to water use, is a strong determinant of health in communities, said Carrie Bourassa, a University of Saskatchewan researcher and member of the national Decolonizing Water project.
“Ensuring that First Nations have the authority to manage their own water systems is extremely important,” Bourassa said. “It’s important to have infrastructure, it’s important to have resources, but First Nations need to have that ownership, it really comes down to self-determination.”
The project looks broadly at barriers and opportunities for First Nations water governance in Canada. The team developed and uses an Indigenous-led coresearch approach that includes participants in data analysis.
Listening, instead of taking a prescriptive approach, is crucial, Bourassa said.
“It’s not our prerogative as a research institute, or as government or whatever it is anymore, to try and say we know what’s best. Because we know the institutions in this country don’t know best.”
That informed approach is the motivation for at all stages of water management, including at the treatment level.
Deon Hassler is a circuit rider trainer with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. In his role as a trainer, he supports 11 First Nations bands by mentoring and providing training to their water treatment plant operators. Hassler is also a member of the Safe Drinking Water Team (SDWT) , an organization made up of First Nation water operators, university scientists and water treatment professionals to look at Indigenous-led approaches.
Similar to Bourassa’s approach to research, his work involves a lot of listening and adapting, he said.
“I put out questions for the operators answering their questions pertaining to water treatment,” he said. “We’re offering support out there for these communities, letting people know that they’ve got somebody that they can talk to.”
He and other water treatment workers have been pushing for the widespread installation of biological filtration systems as a large-scale fix. As more of those facilities crop up around the province, Hassler has worked with Indigenous and Northern
Affairs Canada (INAC) to create a training course for operators.
Bob Patrick, U of S professor and member of the team, said that in the interim the work First Nations are doing as upgrades take place shouldn’t be downplayed.
“What cannot be emphasized enough is the amazing job that First Nations are doing to provide to provide as safe water as they can,” he said. “However, with the level of treatment and the treatment technologies that some are using, it’s going to take in some communities a whole redesign and reinvestment in their water treatment system.”
There are currently seven long-term boil water advisories in place in Saskatchewan. The most recently lifted was Clearwater Dene First Nation at the end of October.