From: Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources – March 22, 2011
Today, the Assembly of First Nations will mark World Water Day.
AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo stated: “World Water Day is an opportunity to make a national commitment to ensuring that First Nations families have safe and clean drinking water. For many First Nations families, it is a daily struggle to get access to clean and adequate supplies of potable water and basic sanitation.”
The National Chief noted that the latest figures indicate there are 116 communities with Drinking Water Advisories, representing 18.4% of the First Nation communities in Canada. In addition, the number of high-risk drinking water systems has increased from 48 to 49 in the past year. As many as 62,955 First Nations citizens could be affected by these water problems, and this does not include communities that lack running water.
The National Chief noted that Bill S-11, the proposed federal legislation on First Nations drinking water currently before the Senate, will not, in its current form, address the fundamental problems.
“I was pleased to speak with the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples on two occasions about Bill S-11,” the National Chief stated. “I was quite clear that there is a paramount interest in ensuring and protecting safe drinking water for all First Nations. First Nations are working to advance regulation and standards based on their own jurisdiction and laws. Through respectful engagement, a commitment to sustainable resources and clear recognition of our rights and responsibilities, there is a way forward. I have encouraged the Minister and the Senators to work with First Nations to address these issues head-on. We have serious concerns about a bill that provides no meaningful role for First Nations, that provides no resources and yet potentially transfers liability to First Nations. We must change the orientation of this Bill, put a clear focus on delivering safe drinking water and ensure respectful processes are established to end the vulnerability of First Nations.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) provides an important guide in this work. Rather than antiquated approaches of the past, we are now called upon to work in partnership and respect to achieve the standards set out in the UNDRIP.
Water scarcity is increasingly a pressing international concern. Some world leaders have called for a new UN treaty or protocol that would make access to water and sanitation a universal right. In 2010, Canada was one of 41 countries that abstained from voting on a UN resolution that declared “the right to safe snd clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right that is essential to the full enjoyment of the right to life.
National Chief Atleo concluded that “The First Nations of Canada have inherent aboriginal and treaty rights across this country that is blessed with a richness of water. As world water supplies become increasingly threatened, Canada must be a leader in protecting water and advancing access to safe drinking water as a basic human right. This work must begin now and right here at home. It requires genuine partnership between Canada and First Nations to resolve these health and safety risks and to advance a new level of cooperation and respect to protect water as a sacred and essential life giving force for First Nations, for all of Canada and the broader global community.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
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