One of the main items on the agenda is reviewing current legislation around safe drinking water in First Nations communities, which the assembly wants to see repealed and discussing a way forward with the federal government.
Looking to build on success Speaking about commitments from Ottawa, many people highlighted the recent promise from Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott to eliminate all long-term boil water advisories in First Nations by March 2021.
Attached to that announcement was an acknowledgement of 91 long-term drinking water advisories in communities throughout Canada.
regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations, new legislation should help to address those infrastructure needs.
And I think that’s an important part for legislation, for anything that concerns Indigenous people," he said.
Teegee says he’s looking forward to having people share their stories of success, like the work done by Nadleh Whut’en to codify their water laws.
‘We’ve got a lot of work ahead’ While legislation may be top of mind, so too is reconciliation.
For Teegee, access to safe drinking water is an important part of reconciliation and water, but it’s also about a lot more than that.
Not once in my research have I seen a form of government acknowledge Mother Earth and how she sustains all life.
One of our most sacred sources of life.