Manitoba Indigenous leader speaking on safe access to clean water at UN Water Conference

AFN Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse is speaking at the United Nations in New York this week about long-term drinking water advisories – a problem that persists in First Nations communities across Canada. Alex Karpa reports.

By Alex Karpa

A Manitoba Indigenous leader is in New York speaking about safe access to clean water on First Nations at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference — the first event of its kind since 1977.

Cindy Woodhouse, Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief for Manitoba, says it’s important for her to share the message to the world, about the issues First Nations communities in Canada face daily.

“We need to try and close those gaps,” said Woodhouse. “It’s a significant opportunity to talk about First Nations, to ensure that there is safe drinking and sanitation for everyone in Canada, and to close the water infrastructure gap between First Nations and Canadians by 2030.”

Woodhouse will be speaking twice throughout the event, talking about the UN’s goals for sustainable development, and discussions around the importance of Canada respecting the inherent rights of First Nations lands.

“We’re not asking for more than what other Canadians have, we are just asking for the same levels of clean drinking water, access to sanitation, and all those things water-related that everyone else has access to,” explained Woodhouse.

Since November 2015, 138 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted in communities across Canada. But as of February 2023, there are still 32 long-term drinking water advisories still in effect, three of which are in Manitoba.

Chief Larson Anderson from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba says communities like his continue to sound the alarm on this issue but are constantly ignored.

“We have not given up our right to the water. Our treaty declares and has been signed off by the government and our water is included as long as the river flows. That’s a treaty right that is spelled out clearly, so we are expecting some better relationships moving forward,” said Chief Anderson.

Kyle Mason says water is a basic human right. He says the fact that we are still having this conversation about unsafe, unclean drinking water is unjust and frankly frustrating.

“I hope it brings attention to this topic internationally, but also nationally. I hope it motivates the federal government to act even quicker on things so people can drink their water and we can get onto other issues of reconciliation and healing on this land,” said Mason.

Woodhouse says she wants her message to members of the UN to be loud and clear. “We need to continue the advocacy; continue to push to ensure that the work gets done, and First Nations are ready.”

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