Canada Has Clean Water.
First Nations Communities Still Don't
Currently, there are 31 long-term drinking water advisories that are active across First Nations reserves. There are some communities that haven't had safe water access for over 25 years.
What's Really Happening?
The Problem is Under-Reported
Many news coverage reports only scratch the surface of the true issue. Government tallies often miss smaller issues, like wells or small water systems, meaning the real number of communities that are suffering is much higher than what you'll see in official documents.
Even if a community is not currently affected, 73% of all systems on reserves are on medium or high risk of contamination. That means even if it isn't actively present, the issue still persists.
Water Is a Human Right
The United Nations since 2010 has recognized access to clean, drinkable water as a fundamental human right. As well, Canada is known globally for having some of the cleanest freshwater in the world. The question we should all have then, is why are First Nations people living like they are in a third world country? There is very obvious inequality being shown.
Broken Government Promises
During the term of Justin Trudeau, in 2015, the federal government promised to end all long-term drinking water advisories by 2021. This deadline is long overdue. Since this promise in 2015, there have been a total of 160 total long-term advisories. While 100 of these were lifted, 60 remained active by November 2020. Nearly half of these had already lasted for over a decade. The report by the Auditor General within 2021 made it extremely clear; the government's support has been inadequate.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
This isn't the result of an accident. This water crisis exists because of systemic problems in how the government funds and supports these First Nations Communities.
1. Extreme Underfunding
Indigenous Services Canada has been using extremely outdated methods of funding, using formulas that don't show what it actually costs to build and maintain water systems. The Auditor General found that our government expects the FNMI peoples to cover costs they simply could not afford, costs that non-Indigenous communities have never even considered.
2. Temporary Solutions Instead of Permanent Fixes
The audit done on Indigenous water systems, and the governments progress in imprvement has shown that Indigenous Services Canada relies extremely on temporary fixes, instead of addressing the root problems. Quick repairs might boost the tally, however in the end the advisories continously return.
3. Not Enough Skilled Workers (and Low Pay for Them)
Currently, there is a shortage of trained and certified water system operators within Indigenous communities. The ones who choose to do this work end up getting paid much less than in non-Indigenous communities. This low pay results in less work getting done, which means systems don't get maintained properly.
4. No Legal Protection
Non-Indigenous communities are held to the water standards of the province. However, First Nations reserves fall under federal law, where standards are weak or practically non-existent. This makes it that Indigenous communities are denied the same legal protections as anywhere else in Canada.
The Real Impact on People's Lives
Health Problems
Unclean water can cause skin issues, stomach bugs, and long-term health problems. When it is shown that 73% of Indigenous communities face constant risk, threats to health are constant.
Daily Stress
Not being able to trust your tap water for up to 25 years, can become extremely dehumanizing. Every single way you ever use water, becomes a struggle to stay healthy.
Economic Barriers
FNMI communities are forced to spend money on alternative water sources, instead of investing money into community developing initiatives like education or business. With a lack of safe water, economic development is put on a backburner, making it nearly impossible.
Think About This
When the issue of unsafe water comes up in major cities, it is fixed immediately. The fact that FNMI communities have been dealing with this consistently for decades, shows precisely how unequal things are even now in Canada.
What Actually Needs to Happen
Indigenous Communities Need Control
Indigenous peoples being able to control their own water systems is extremely necessary for true long-term fixes. When communities have total autonomy over their water systems, things do improve. These Indigenous-led approahes use local knowledge, while fitting the culture and making the community self reliant.
Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) Don't Work
Our governments plan has been to use public-private partnerships, and they have been shown to not work. These partnerships bring technology that doesn't work in Indigenous communities, while leaving communities with no skills after the contractors leave (due to the minimal pay).
Long-Term Solutions Require Accountability
True fixes require continous investment in sectors like infrastructure, training programs, and fair wages. One time funding pledges do not make a difference. As well, accountability is extremely necessary for the federal government. The funding must be transparent, the timelines must actually be upheld, and safety standards must be enforced. The First Nations should be treated the same as every other community in Canada, with the same legal protections applied.
What You Can Do
Most people don't know this crisis exists, or is as bad as it is, because it doesn't make the news. Raising public awareness and supporting Indigenous-led solutions are how real change actually occurs.
Support Indigenous Organizations
Supporting the Indigenous led solutions directly helps create real change.
Assembly of First Nations Council of CanadiansLearn More
See the real information in these reports, don't just believe because you didn't hear about it, it "isn't happening".
Auditor General Report University of Calgary ResearchShare This
The biggest problem is that most Canadians have no clue this is going on. Sharing the important information creates the public pressure needed for any sort of action.
Sources
Office of the Auditor General of Canada
"Report 3—Access to Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities—Indigenous Services Canada." February 25, 2021.
Read the full reportUniversity of Calgary
Black, Kerry, and Mario Swampy. "Tip of the Iceberg: The True State of Drinking Water Advisories in First Nations." May 4, 2021.
Read the articleClean water is a necessity.
Reconciliation is nothing without action
A crisis like this should not be occurring anywhere, let alone a country like Canada. True reparations means making sure that everyone has access to clean, and safe drinking water, which can be accomplished through real funding, accountability, and Indigenous led solutions.
What will you do?
Designed by Max Polak, in NBE3U for Ms. Lee's Class.