Water nourishes and sustains us – it is the lifeline of all beings.  But for those who hold it so sacred, Canada’s First Nations, poor water quality is often a reality.

According to the Council of Canadians, over 80 First Nations communities are currently under “boiled water advisories” and 21 communities are deemed to be at high risk for contamination. These communities lack infrastructure and funding to deal with wastewater treatment and drinking water. They also face pressures from private water companies encroaching upon their communities.

But movement is stirring from within these communities. 2006 marked the beginning of the Keepers of the Water movement in the Northwest Territories, a gathering of First Nations peoples alarmed at the state of Northern water sources.

These Keepers recognized increased turbidity and toxicity, and decreased water volumes around the Arctic Ocean Drainage Basin and the places in which they lived, and began to form a powerful network of people devoted to preserving the water across Canada and the world.

Their mission is to bring together First Nations, local citizens, and community groups to affect the future of their water resources.

Photo by Medmoiselle T via Flickr (CC)

"Water is a sacred gift, an essential element that sustains and connects all life. It is not a commodity to be bought or sold. All people share an obligation to cooperate to ensure that water in all of its forms is protected and conserved with regard to the needs of all living things today and for future generations tomorrow."
- Keepers of the Water Declaration, Sept. 7th, 2006

Today, the Keepers continue to organize and vocalize on the waters of the Arctic Ocean Drainage Basin, hosting a annual Keepers of the Water conference. The 2010 conference focuses on uniting communities to address water management solutions and actions.

Attendees include government officials, industry, First Nations and Metis peoples, NGOs, doctors, scientists, academics, community members, and concerned citizens. The 4th annual conference will be held from August 19 – 23, and is hosted by The Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation of Wollaston Lake.

Visit the Keepers of the Water website at www.keepersofthewater.ca for more information, and join the Keepers on Facebook to learn more about the 2010 conference.

To learn how you can protect your community's water and how to act yourself, visit our Water Protectors campaign page.

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