Assembly of First Nations Symposium Program€¦ · to the use and protection of our waters and...

February 6 - 8, 2018 | Vancouver, British Columbia

National Water Symposium and Trade Show

1Reconciliation through Sustainable Water Management

National Water Symposium and Trade Show: RECONCILIATION THROUGH SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

February 6-8, 2018Fairmont Hotel Vancouver900 W. Georgia StreetVancouver, British Columbia

Assembly of First Nations

Symposium Program


National Water Symposium and Trade Show:

2 Reconciliation through Sustainable Water Management

AFN’s National Water Symposium and Trade ShowAccess to safe water and proper sanitation is a human right. Most importantly it is our inherent right to the use and protection of our waters and lands. The protection of water and all living beings that depend on it is the sacred responsibility entrusted to us by the Creator. It is the responsibility of States to implement Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which states “Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal seas and other resources and to uphold their responsibilities to future generations in this regard.”

First Nations have called for the repeal of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act and the Assembly of First Nations now has the opportunity to facilitate discussion with First Nations in conceptualizing, elaborating, designing and implementing a re-envisioned engagement process for the review of the current Act. This Symposium will be the beginning of that dialogue and will seek input on how that should be accomplished.

This Symposium will also provide the opportunity to hear from others who are engaged in work related to sustainable water management, innovative technologies and new training methods, climate change adaptation, and from others that are leading their own approaches to care and control of water and wastewater.

AcknowledgementsThe Assembly of First Nations would like to acknowledge the following the sponsor of the AFN’s National Water

Symposium and Tradeshow:






Welcome from the National Chief Perry Bellegarde




Welcome from AFN Executive Portfolio Holder

Welcome from Regional Chief Kevin Hart, Manitoba

As the Assembly of First Nations portfolio holder for housing and infrastructure, I wish to welcome you to the 2018 National Water Symposium and Tradeshow. This is an opportunity to discuss current water related issues affecting our First Nations communities. We need to work together to make safe drinking water for all First Nations become a reality.

Water is life. Water is the lifeblood of the Earth. Our women are the keepers of water and we as First Nations recognize water as a sacred gift that connects all life. Water must be readily accessible and safe to drink for everyone in our First Nations communities.

It’s 2018 and many First Nations continue to face urgent drinking water quality issues. We cannot continue to live in third world conditions without proper infrastructure and safe drinking water. The status quo for our First Nations communities is not acceptable.

On January 23, 2018, Minister Philpott, Department of Indigenous Services Canada announced the Government will be adding close to 250 drinking water systems to the clean drinking water commitment and 91 long-term advisories to be lifted by March 2021. As a result, the Government will provide financial support to end 24 additional long-term drinking water advisories by March 2021. This brings the total number of long-term drinking water advisories that remain on public systems on reserve to 91 as of January 23, 2018.

We cannot wait any longer to address the question as to why we have so many existing and re-occurring drinking water advisories for our First Nations communities. The only way the federal government will achieve their commitment to end drinking water advisories by March 2021 is through significant investments in our First Nations communities.

I would like to take this time to provide you with an update from the recent December 2017 AFN Special Chiefs Assembly. The Chiefs-in-Assembly passed Resolution 88/2017: First Nations led Engagement Process for Safe Drinking Water Legislation. This resolution calls for the co-development of a draft framework for new legislation, a framework for a First Nations Water Commission which must include multi-year funding to support First Nations engagement sessions. First Nations must take the lead in determining and developing priorities and strategies.

At this Symposium, we will begin the discussion on a new approach to designing and implementing a re-envisioned engagement process for the review of the current Act. I look forward to hearing your views and perspectives.




Welcome from Regional Chief Terry Teegee, British Columbia




AFN - National Water Symposium

Symposium Plenary

Symposium Tradeshow

WorkshopLocation

Symposium Registration Area

WorkshopLocation

Symposium Welcome ReceptionFebruary 5, 20185pm - 8pm




Symposium Agenda

Symposium Overview: • First Nations have called for the repeal of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act and this is an

opportunity to facilitate discussion with First Nations in conceptualizing, elaborating, designing and implementing a re-envisioned engagement process for the review of the current Act.

• The symposium will also provide delegates with an opportunity to discuss a number of issues involving water including: addressing water quality issues and drinking water advisories; climate change impacts on water quality and quantity; health aspects of water and quality of life; solid waste, water and wastewater treatment innovative technology; sustainable Water Management; and, new approaches to training.

Monday, February 5, 2018 Location4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Registration in the British Columbia Ballroom Foyer Conference Level

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception with Entertainment provided by Murray Porter The Roof

Day 1 – Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Location8:00 a.m. Registration British Columbia

Ballroom Foyer

Hot Breakfast British Columbia Ballroom

Trade Show Open Pacific Ballroom, Conference Level

9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremonies• Opening Prayer • Women’s Water Ceremony • Ms. Autumn Peltier, Youth Water Advocate• Welcome Remarks from Host Community

British Columbia Ballroom

10:00 a.m. Opening Remarks• Assembly of First Nations British Columbia Regional

Chief Terry Teegee• Assembly of First Nations Manitoba Regional Chief Kevin Hart, Portfolio Holder

for Housing, Infrastructure and Emergency Services




10:30 a.m. National Water Symposium Overview Mr. Irving Leblanc, P.Eng., Director – Housing, Infrastructure and Emergency Services, Assembly of First Nations

10:45 a.m. Keynote Address: Setting the Bottom Line in the AnthropoceneDr. David Suzuki

11:30 a.m. Protecting Water through Treaty and Inherent Rights and ResponsibilitiesOntario Regional Chief Isadore Day and Ms. Leah Ballantyne, Chiefs of Ontario Regional Chief Day will focus in on affirmations of water protections via political Declarations, Protocols and Statements. Ms. Ballantyne will focus on some of the legal tools available to First Nations including the use of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and International law, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Implementation, lobby, and emerging case law on water protection.

12:00 p.m. Lunch Provided Please drop by the Trade Show in the Pacific Ballroom and visit our Exhibitors


1:00 p.m. Building the Safe Drinking Water Laws We Need – How to do it Right• Ms. Danika Littlechild, Lawyer, Maskwacis – Indigenous and Customary Law

This presentation will describe some of the new standards that apply in the context of Indigenous peoples describing their own laws respecting water, as well as some of the potential opportunities to lift up or elevate Indigenous laws, knowledge systems, practices, protocols, customs and ways of being and relating to water.

• Ms. Merrell Ann Phare, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources Inc. -Collaborative Water Governance The presenter will share and explain her view that consultation and accommodation is not a nation-to-nation strategy, and that deeper collaborative governance relationships at all levels are necessary to achieve the spirit, intent and letter of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

• Ms. Allison Thornton, Koch Thornton LLP – Structural Flaws with the Safe Driving Water for First Nations Act This presentation will outline the major structural flaws with the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act and what elements should be incorporated into a post-colonial drinking water regulatory strategy to replace it.

2:30 p.m. Canada’s Approach to Clean Drinking Water Mr. Chad Westmacott, Senior Director, Strategic Water Management Team, Regional Operations Sector, Indigenous Services Canada

3:00 p.m. Health Break in Trade Show in the Pacific Ballroom




3:15 p.m. National/Regional Updates on Water Initiatives • Mr. James MacKinnon, First Nations Clean Water Initiative – Atlantic Region, Atlantic

Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs The First Nations Clean Water Initiative – Atlantic Region is a strategy that aims to improve public health and safety for First Nations through proper water and wastewater management.

• Mr. Wes Bova, President, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation and Technical Services Manager, Matawa First Nations Management

• Mr. Jim Monroe, Mr. Gary Merkel and Chief Dan George, British Columbia Assembly of First Nations The BC First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council is working to create a First Nations controlled housing & infrastructure authority that will gain authority over housing and infrastructure programs and services for BC First Nations communities. This presentation will provide an update on the creation of the housing & infrastructure authority.

4:15 p.m. Workshops Period #11. Canadian Water Resources Association – Indigenous Water Issues

Mr. Dave Murray, P.Eng., Immediate Past president, Canadian Water Resources Association CWRA is a national water organization that has existed since 1948. One area we see underserved when it comes to protection of and from water is Indigenous communities. Historically in many of the most vulnerable areas, First Nations struggle to protect themselves from floods and droughts or have access to safe fresh water. This presentation will talk about the challenges facing water managers in our land, anticipated climate change impacts and the opportunity that exists for CWRA to collaborate with First Nations groups.

British Columbia Ballroom (Plenary)

2. Development of Centre of Operation Excellence for British Columbia Small Water Systems Ms. Satwinder Paul, Thompson Rivers University, and Mr. Robert Birtles, Interior Health Authority In British Columbia, there are approximately 4,800 small water systems, of which some 600 are on some form of public notification. Many lack the financial and technical resources or other knowledge required to reduce risk for their water users and to make the water systems more sustainable. Thompson Rivers University proposed to the Interior Health Authority, to create a website and online resources that will provide technical expertise and self-help tools to all small water systems in British Columbia.

Vancouver Island Room, Conference Level

3. First Nations Source Water Protection Planning in Alberta Ms. Rosey Radmanovich, M.SC., First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group First Nations in Alberta are leading the charge throughout the province and demonstrating that source water protection planning can be a holistic, collaborative process that builds partnerships and creates opportunities to work together to solve the complex issues around water protection and management. This presentation will provide an overview of the source water protection planning process and showcase numerous examples of how the development of a source water protection plan has allowed First Nations in Alberta to create opportunities, build partnerships, and access funding and resources to protect their water quality, environment, and human health.

Saturna Room, Discovery Floor

5:15 p.m. Adjourn for Day 1




Day 2 – Wednesday, February 7, 2018 Location8:00 a.m. Registration British Columbia

Hot Breakfast Ballroom FoyerBritish Columbia

Trade Show Open BallroomPacific Ballroom

9:00 a.m. Recap of Previous DayMr. Mathieu Courchene, Facilitator


9:15 a.m Keynote Address: Watershed Protection and Major Activities10:15 a.m. Health Break in Trade Show in the Pacific Ballroom British Columbia

Ballroom

10:30 a.m. Water Governance Panel• Water Management Regime in Nadleh Whut’en First Nation

Chief Larry Nooski, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, Mr. Brian Toth, R.P.Bio., MBA, and Ms. Michelle Tung, B.Sc., MA The Yinka Dene ‘uza’hné from Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en have enacted a water management regime for the regulation of the surface waters throughout the whole of their Territories and the presentation will describe the context for the Policy’s development, the components of the framework itself, and experiences to-date in implementing the Policy.

• Water Quality Laws Ms. Nadia Joe, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations The presenter will discuss the efforts and process of her nation, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, to defining, giving scope to and implement their water laws through developing their water strategy.

• Nipiy Pimatisiwin Ms. Kyra Northwest and Mr. Mario Swampy, Samson Cree Nation Through Samson Cree Nation’s governance structures, there has been a push for water governance, water sovereignty, and the need to strategize Nipiy Pimatisiwin (Water is Life).


11:30 a.m. Remarks by National Chief Perry Bellegarde12:00 p.m. Lunch Provided

Please drop by the Trade Show in the Pacific Ballroom and visit our Exhibitors British Columbia Ballroom




1:00 p.m. Workshops Period #2 - Technical Presentations4. University of British Columbia’s “Water: The Life of a Community”

Mr. Madjid Mohseni, Res’Eau WaterNET, University of British Columbia To test our collective understanding of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and the TRC’s work as it relates to water, we sought the perspectives of local leaders and community members, including professionals and researchers, who influence the implementation of sustainable healthy water solutions within First Nations communities. The result of these efforts became “Water: The Life of a Community”, an ongoing series of workshops focusing on indigenous people’s relationship with water. In this presentation, the presenters will provide an account of these discussions which will inform the evolution of RES’EAU’s Community Circles model to strategic innovation.


5. A National Standard for Wastewater Treatment in Northern Communities using Lagoon and Wetland Systems Mr. Jeff Walker, Program Manager, CSA Group CSA Group recently embarked upon the development of a national standard for wastewater treatment using lagoon and wetland systems in the North supported by the Standards Council of Canada. in the North, these systems face challenges that can impede their effectiveness and put residents at risk. To address community concerns about the effectiveness of these systems, a national standard was proposed that can be used by regulators, operators, and other stakeholders. This presentation will highlight the objectives of the CSA standard, the consensus process used to develop it, the stakeholders that have agreed to participate, and an initial look at the anticipated content.


6. First Nation Operator Waters Net for British Columbia & Yukon Territories Mr. Jim Brown, Lytton Indian Band and Mr. Richard D. Inkster, Operations and Maintenance Manager, Kitsumkalum Band The presentation will provide information on the First Nation Operator Waters Net for British Columbia and Yukon. It was established in 2015 as an advocacy and networking organization that provided leadership and support to Water Operators and Systems in British Columbia & Yukon First Nation Communities. It was felt that it was time for the voice of First Nations Communities to be heard by provincial and federal governments, so that they could lead the process of change and improvements, on their own terms. Twelve (12) First Nation Certified Operators were voted in to represent all the First Nation operators of BC & YT.


2:15 p.m. Workshops Period #37. Implementing Point of Entry Drinking Water Systems in Remote First Nation

Communities Ms. Candace Cook, Res’Eau WaterNET, University of British Columbia, and Mr. Warren Brown, Lytton First Nation Many First Nations communities across Canada face water quality concerns due to inadequate treatment. Specifically, the lack of disinfection puts many communities at risk of waterborne diseases. Chlorination is a reliable and effective disinfection process that can be implemented into water systems to destroy pathogens and prevent microbial regrowth during distribution to households. RES’EAU-WaterNET, in partnership with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), has been working to develop a streamlined approach to implementing disinfection that consists of community engagement and technical assessments to determine if chlorination is a suitable, acceptable, and easily implementable disinfection option for First Nations groundwater systems.





2:15 p.m. 8. Design-Build of Water Treatment Plants Mr. Scott Foster, President, BI Pure Water Bring your community’s input into the design-build of a treatment plant for greater long-term success and sustainability of the system. The design is then manufactured in the factory and delivered to order, which speeds delivery of treated water to the community and saves costs. Many parties, including the First Nation council, band members, design engineers, researchers, RES’EAU-WaterNET and INAC were involved in the design and build of Middle River, BC’s new water treatment plant. With a PLC, HMI and modem, the operator can remotely control and monitor the treatment system from the office or a cellphone. Package plants are also more resilient to climate change flooding/disaster events.


9. Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations Water Maintenance Project Mr. Gary Naponse, Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations, and Mr. John Kingsbury, Ontario Clean Water Agency Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations have teamed up with Ontario Clean Water Agency to address concerns in effecting First Nations in today’s environment. The project is proposing a solution that begins the process towards developing a Hub type model to ensure that its water and wastewater treatment plants are consistently managed, operated and maintained in an effective, professional and responsible manner.


3:30 p.m. Health Break in Trade Show Pacific Ballroom

3:45 p.m. Workshops Period #410. Lessons Learned from Treatability Testing for Effective and Sustainable

Water Treatment Mr. Marek Ratajczak and Ms. Ella Murphy, Jacobs/CH2M The presenters will present treatability results from several studies conducted for small communities in Canada. The results and lessons learned from these studies will be presented and complimented with a testing approach using raw water monitoring, bench-scale coagulant jar testing, bench-scale simulated distribution system and DBP testing in the potable water distribution system.


11. Co-creation of Water Quality Tools Dr. Dawn Martin Hill, Ph.D., and Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser, Ph.D., McMaster University, National attention to water security and climate change in Indigenous communities highlights diverse challenges identified by Indigenous Peoples in obtaining potable water supplies. In 2016 alone, 133 boil water advisories in 90 indigenous communities were issued that affected over 50,000 people across the country. This research project focused on two distinct communities to capture the range of challenges: 1) Six Nations of the Grand River (Ontario) and 2) Lubicon Cree Nation of Little Buffalo in northern Alberta. The project used an innovative research framework to facilitate sharing and integration of contemporary science and Indigenous and Local Knowledge to monitor source waters with continuous environmental sensors, investigate the cause of health issues related to contaminated water, and develop appropriate place-based solutions.





3:45 p.m. 12. A Case Study on Drinking Water Security in a First Nations Community Ms. Kristy Anderson, NSERC H2O Create H2O, University of Manitoba The issue of poor drinking water quality in First Nations communities in Canada remains unsolved and, to protect human health and well being, there was an urgent need for improved monitoring and upgrading of infrastructure in communities relying heavily on under-ground cisterns and standpipes for drinking water. The NSERC CREATE H2O program collaborated with several First Nations communities in Manitoba to evaluate the levels of bacteria in water distribution systems and assess community members concerns and management of their household drinking water.


4:45 p.m Adjourn for Day 2

Day 3 – Thursday, February 8, 2018 Location8:00 a.m. Hot Breakfast British Columbia

Trade Show Open BallroomPacific Ballroom

8:30 a.m. Source Water Protection Panel• Ms. Kathleen Padulo, Chiefs of Ontario

The presenter will discuss the efforts of the Chiefs of Ontario around implementing their inherent water rights, the processes they have developed and engaged, and their vision of water governance in their territories.

• Ms. Theresa McClenaghan, Canadian Environmental Law Association In 2000 drinking water tragedies in Walkerton Ontario and North Battleford Saskatchewan were followed by Inquiries that recommended a multi-barrier approach to protecting drinking water. The first “barrier” is protecting sources of drinking water. This presentation will outline examples of contaminant pathways in ground-water and upstream surface water.

• Mr. Caleb Behn, Centre for International Governance Innovation Interdisciplinary and Indigenous-led co-research on water is supporting First Nations in addressing critical data and knowledge gaps to address source water protection and management goals. The presenter will discuss examples of this from his research for the Centre for International Governance Innovation on the Columbia River Treaty and his work with the “Sustainable Water Governance and Indigenous Law Research Collective”.





9:30 a.m Workshops Period #513. Long Term Vision of the Drinking Water Program - First Nations and Inuit

Health Branch and the First Nations and Health Authority Ms. Jennifer Mercer, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Indigenous Services Canada, and Ms. Sylvia Struck, First Nations Health Authority FNIHB and FNHA are working in close collaboration to share mutual expertise and lessons learned to create a coordinated response to address challenges associated with the management of small water supplies and improve respective program delivery. The Procedure for Addressing Drinking Water Advisories in First Nations South of 60° is intended to provide guidance to Chief, Council and other involved parties on how to efficiently address the underlying causes of a Drinking Water Advisory (DWA) after it has been issued. The presenter seeks to share and get feedback on the intent, approach and use of the current Procedure, and seek guidance on regional and community level needs related to processes.


14. From Stream to Tap – Drinking Water Advisories and Source Water Protection Ms. Jessica Lukawieki, Ms. Rachel Plotkin and Ms. Paula Hill, David Suzuki Foundation Hosted by the David Suzuki Foundation, participants will be introduced to the first and second drinking water report cards developed to hold the federal government accountable to its commitment of ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations. Specifically, the workshop will focus on illuminating the process for developing source water protection plans; the degree to which the plans adequately address the threats facing watersheds; implementation challenges; and potential ways to address the challenges.


15. Water First Workshop Mr. John Millar, Water First Water First is Canada’s leading charity dedicated to working in collaboration with First Nations communities to address water challenges. In 2017, Water First and seven First Nations located on Manitoulin Island began implementing the Water First Internship, a program designed to increase local water treatment skills and to support local knowledge and long-term sustainable water stewardship practices. Within nine months of operation, the Internship has seen significant results.


10:30 a.m Health Break in British Columbia Ballroom Foyer

11:00 a.m. Plenary Session to Recap Discussion and Identify Next Steps

11:30 a.m. Closing Remarks• Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Kevin Hart, Portfolio Holder

Passport to Prizes

Closing Ceremonies




Exhibitor List

Booth # Organization1 ONTARIO FIRST NATION

TECHNICAL SERVICES CORPORATION

2 FIRST NATIONS ENGINEERING SERVICES LTD.

3 SAPPHIRE WATER

4 UNIVERSAL FILTER GROUP INC

5 WATER LIVES

6 WATER LIVES

7 WATER LIVES

8 WATER LIVES

9 FIRST NATIONS ARTISAN

10 ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATORS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

11 BGC ENGINEERING INC

12 HOSKIN SCIENTIFIC

13 KEEWAYTINOOK CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

14 ENVIRO-STEP TECHNOLOGIES

15 BI PURE WATER INC

16 LUCITY CANADA

17 CLIMBTECH LTD

National Water Symposium Trade ShowThe Tradeshow is taking place on the Pacific Ballroom, Conference Level, just down the hall from the plenary room (British Columbia Ballroom). Please drop by and check out all the exhibit booths and artisans. Coffee/tea and snacks will be served in the Trade Show throughout the Forum. You could win a great prize by visiting the exhibitors, having them sign your Passport to Prizes (available in your meeting kit) and handing this in for a draw during the Symposium Closing Activities on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Remember you need to be in the Plenary room during the Closing Activities to win!




NOTES




NOTES




NOTES

Assembly of First Nations55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1600

Ottawa, ON K1P 6L5www.afn.ca

Toll-Free: 1.866.869.6789Telephone: 613.241.6789

Fax: 613.241.5808

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