Southern Chiefs’ Organization Stands with First Nations: Clean Drinking Water is a Human Right, Federal Government Needs to Step Up

October 10, 2024

ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is profoundly disappointed at the Government of Canada’s stance in court when faced with the question of ensuring all people in our Territories have clean drinking water.  In response to a class action lawsuit filed by Shamattawa First Nation, on behalf of 60 Nations, Canada is arguing it has no legal obligation to provide First Nations with clean water.

“Due to generations of displacement from our lands and systemic racism and neglect, our citizens living in our Nations are 90 times more likely to have no access to running water when compared to non-Indigenous people,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Imagine not being able to turn on a tap to drink a glass of water or brush your teeth in your home. This is the reality for many First Nation people.”

Astoundingly, the federal government is arguing that it has no legal obligation to ensure access to clean water, rejecting clean water as a basic human right, and that it has the responsibility to ensure that access.  There are currently 33 long-term boil water advisories in effect across Canada.  Shamattawa has been under a boil water advisory since 2018.

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared access to clean drinking water a human right.  Canada supported the resolution and between 2000 and 2022, paid out 1.9 billion in international assistance for water and sanitation initiatives in other parts of the world.  SCO calls on the federal government to stand behind its assertion that access to clean water is a human right and move immediately to fulfill that obligation to all First Nations.

“The health impacts in not having clean water are both physical and mental. First Nations were forced off our lands and told where to live, and then through generations of systemic neglect, many of our relatives are still living in what can only be described as third world conditions,” continued Grand Chief Daniels. “Canada is failing us.”

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is currently working to establish a First Nation owned and operated Water Authority.  When up and running, the Southern First Nations Water Authority will ensure sustainable delivery of clean drinking water to its participating member Nations.

-30-

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 33 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions

through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.

For media inquiries:

Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca

NT4