World Water Day 2011 - March 22

The Fast Flowing Current of Inequity 

“Why is it always First Nations who are made to wait and put at risk?   Why are we not treated equally; the same as everyone in Canada?”  

Deputy Chief, Gerald Mattinas, Attawapiskat First Nation

As one wades into the murkiness of ‘First Nations and Water’ in Canada, it becomes clear very quickly, that there is a problem.  Health Canada reports close to 125 First Nations across our country that continue to live with boil water advisories; toxins ingested daily through water supplies; while other First Nations are living without any sort of water treatment.

Mennonite Central Committee Ontario (MCCO) continues to paddle upstream with a number of the 28 First Nations in Ontario, one fifth of the communities in Canada, struggling with dirty water.  Much of our work over the past two decades has called MCCO into the middle of crises seeking potable water; Attawapiskat First Nation is a community in trouble, and needs our support.

It was almost a month ago today, that Attawapiskat First Nation, a remote community of over 1,300 members, produced a Press Release warning community members, and others, of the dangerously high levels of Trihalomethane, or THM, detected by Health Canada in their drinking water.  Community members were told that to drink, bathe, shower or even breathe in the steam produced by this water could have dire consequences for the health of all those in community.    

While Bill S-11, ‘An Act Respecting the Safety of Drinking Water on First Nation Lands’, has enjoyed inspiring presentations from more than 20 First Nation leaders and political bodies and water experts, it is now clear that from coast to coast, all have disagreed with Bill S-11.  While the Bill it attempts to establish a national regulatory body around drinking water for First Nations, it fails to stop ‘the dripping tap of complacency’ by not addressing matter of adequate consultation, financial and human resources; infrastructure, and source water protection.  Many are calling for a new process where First Nations are partners in the creation of any such legislation.   

Mennonite Central Committee Ontario continues to listen and advocate with First Nations, hoping the Federal Government will hear the voices of the Aboriginal community, who continue to swim this fast flowing current of inequity.  Recognize World Water Day this year by talking about the inequity of clean water in Canadian First Nations in your community, church family or work place. 

For more info, email Lyndsay: lyndsaymk@mennonitecc.on.ca

"Bill S-11 was developed in isolation.  Let us put it on hold for awhile and review it together to develop something that will work. Then, we can

further the partnership by sitting together to design the regulations."

Grand Chief Stan Louttit, Mushkegowuk Council, Senate Presentation, March 2, 2011