- Organize! Province wide labour campaign to address the water crisis
- Advocate & legislate! Push our local elected officials, to make this a priority!
- Language Matters! Learning and educating ourselves, our friends, families, workplaces and beyond to use the right language
- Amplify! Join and support the various Indigenous-led campaigns and spring our union muscles into actions!
Highlights from the Indigenous Circle’s 3rd Water Summit
October 5, 2024
The Indigenous Circle’s Water Campaign Committee hosted their 3rd Water Summit last week in Region 1. The three-day summit was organized in partnership with the Onedia Nation of the Thames. It also followed the Grassy Narrow’s River Run which took place the week before. OPSEU/SEFPO members who attended the Water Summit heard from Elders, community leaders, and youth who, in many ways, are leading the charge in the fight for all our lives – after all, water is life. What many of us may take for granted, comes at a cost to others. But, why?Indigenous communities across Ontario and Canada continue to be denied access to safe and clean water. While both the federal and provincial government label this as a “boil water advisory” issue, it is far from the truth. The waterways like that of the Wabigoon River, which Grassy Narrows First Nation relies on, is contaminated, deadly toxic and not safe to consume or handle. Polluters and corporations like the paper and pulp mill that poisoned the Wabigoon River continue to benefit with little to no impact to their lives or their bottom line.After years of trying to draw attention and seek justice, Grassy Narrows Frist Nation launched, in June of this year, a landmark lawsuit against the governments of Ontario and Canada.This is just one example of environmental racism, a direct by-product of colonialism which continues the present-day genocide of Indigenous people. Why have our governments normalized a lesser standard of living for some than others?On day one of the conference, Sarah Jayne Kendall, Community Engagement Director from Water First a non-profit organization working with Indigenous communities, spoke about local water challenges. Sarah Jayne shared that reserves compose only 0.5% of Canada’s land mass but contain 29% of federally contaminated sites. Water First’s work directly creates sustainable solutions as a community partner in addressing the water crisis. Their work continues to make an impact in communities like Whitefish River First Nation on Manitoulin Island. However, this work and burden cannot fall alone on non-governmental organizations like Water First.You can take action! Did you know that drinking water and sanitation are recognized globally as a human right but not legally enshrined in Canada? Water Watchers has launched a petition calling on the federal government to legally recognize the human right to water. Sign the petition and join the growing number of people who have already added their name. It is co-sponsored by Indigenous leaders like Layla Staats, who is no stranger to OPSEU/SEFPO. During the summit, Layla shared her journey as a water and land defender and spoke about her path to reclaiming her language, culture and connection to water.OPSEU/SEFPO had the privilege of being a guest at the Oneida Nation territory where Chief Todd Cornelius accepted the hand of friendship, mutual respect and the spirit of partnership with President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell. In his address, Chief Cornelius spoke stoically about the responsibilities he carries for his community and the ongoing injustice they continue to face, particularly when it comes to accessing water. The resolve and generosity of Chief Cornelius and the people of the Oneida Nation is a reminder that we must now uphold our commitments and work on our responsibilities as settlers.Two other powerful voices from the Oneida Nation, were those of MaryAnn Kechogo and Kristi White. They both shared their childhood experiences and their current realities of not having access to safe and clean water. MaryAnn shared that her family was on a “boil water advisory” for more than 18 years while growing up on the Oneida Nation. When she was asked by a participant during the session if she thinks the Oneida Nation will ever have access to safe and clean drinking water, MaryAnn replied “I don’t believe this will happen in my lifetime – these promises have been made and broken before”. At that moment, the room went silent, as MaryAnn reminded everyone that our actions must speak louder than our words. During Kristi’s moving remarks, Kristi asked participants “how many of you, when you go to your friends’ houses even ask if the water is drinkable? Is that part of your safety planning of everyday?”If this isn’t your reality, does it matter?Summit participants spent day three working in groups to discuss and strategize what actions and role the labour movement and each of us as individuals can do to address the water crisis and walk the path towards reconciliation.Key action strategies include: