OPSEU/SEFPO’s Indigenous Circle invites you to submit your application to attend the 2026 Water Summit. The Summit will take place from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Delta Hotels Thunder Bay.
The theme of the 2026 Water Summit is “Making the Invisible, Visible”. The goal is to bring together OPSEU/SEFPO members and build a movement of labour activists who can organize to go beyond education and awareness. Historically, there has been a lack of public awareness and outcry about the water crisis. It is also important to note that every community with a drinking water advisory is different — in some areas, the challenges are much harder to address due to factors such as remoteness or a heavily contaminated source water. The location of this Summit was intentionally selected to highlight the challenges remote communities face.
The Indigenous Circle hopes to create effective partnerships across the seven regions to build on the advocacy efforts lead by Indigenous elders, leaders and activists that is grounded and centered in Indigenous ways, culture and rights.
This event can accommodate approximately 150 members, who will be selected by the Indigenous Circle. The selection process seeks to achieve a diverse group of attendees, representative of Indigenous (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) within OPSEU/SEFPO membership and their distribution among all seven regions. We aim for a diverse mix of backgrounds and perspectives among the participants.
Please submit your application no later than Monday, April 27th by 5:00 pm EST by completing the online application form. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For any additional requirements, please contact the Member Equity Unit directly at [email protected].
We look forward to meeting you!
In solidarity,
OPSEU/SEFPO Indigenous Circle
Authorized for distribution by:
JP Hornick – President
Purpose
The purpose of the Water Summit is to:
- Highlight the longstanding inequities Indigenous communities face when accessing clean and safe water
- Amplifying current issues and advocacy efforts lead by Indigenous communities
- Inspire, equip and mobilize OPSEU/SEFPO members to join and support ongoing advocacy efforts in the local regions and beyond
Tentative Agenda
(All sessions and speakers subject to change. All times are EST)
Friday, June 5, 2026
- 4 to 6 pm – Registration (dinner on your own)
- 6:00 pm – Smudging
- 7:00 to 7:30 pm – Summit Opening and Teaching from Elder
- 7:30 to 7:35 pm – Chair’s Welcome
- 7:35 to 8:35 pm – Fireside Chat Grassy Activists
- 8:35 to 8:45 pm – Drumming Circle
- 8:45 to 9:00 pm – Questions, Wrap-up, Adjournment
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- 8:00 to 9:00 am – Registration Reopens (breakfast on your own)
- 9:00 to 9:45 am – Welcome from Circle Chair and Leadership
- 9:45 to 10:45 am – Water Ceremony
- 11:00 to 12:30 pm – Offsite Program (shuttle provided)
- 12:30 to 2:00 pm – Lunch (on your own)
- 2:00 to 5:00 pm – Offsite Program (shuttle provided)
- 5:00 to 7:00 pm – Dinner (catered)
- 7:00 to 9:00 pm – Evening Session
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 7:30 to 8:00 am – Sunrise Ceremony
- 8:00 to 9:00 am – Breakfast (on your own)
- 9:00 to 9:10 am – Welcome back and recap
- 9:10 to 10:15 am – Keynote Address
- 10:15 to 10:30 am – Break
- 10:30 to 11:40 am – Panel Discussion
- 11:40 to 11:55 pm – Closing remarks, ReconciliAction & Travelling Song
- 12:00 pm – Adjournment
Application
Applications are now closed.