Summary: | Access to clean, safe drinking water on First Nation reserves in Canada is a persistent problem. Many drinking water systems fail to meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality leaving many communities under Drinking Water Advisories, and some persistent. Water-sharing between First Nations and municipalities is one potential avenue for delivering safe, clean drinking water. To better understand how water-sharing agreements emerge or fail to emerge, this research uses in-depth interviews to understand the opinions, attitudes, and experiences of First Nations towards water-sharing, with a focus on communities who have entered into municipal-type agreements. Early findings suggest that water-sharing agreements can be complex, are varied among communities and highlight the importance of respectful relationships between First Nation and municipal agents. Furthermore, water infrastructure that provides adequate pressure – in addition to water quality – for community safety and growth opportunities is a key theme within this research. Funding: SSHRC funded Insight Grant
|