Mi'kmaq Nations in N.B. take control of water, wastewater systems in agreement with feds

Seven Mi'kmaq First Nations in New Brunswick are taking control of their own water and wastewater systems in a new agreement signed with the federal government. 

Weso'tmk Samqwan Incorporated (WSI), a Mi'kmaw-led organization that works to provide water and wastewater services in First Nations communities across New Brunswick, signed an agreement Wednesday with Indigenous Services Canada to transfer water and wastewater management services to the organization.

"We've always been stewards of the water here in the community … the authority of that and the responsibility of that is being officially passed on to these communities through WSI," Chief Bill Ward of Metepenagiag said.

"The best people to take care of our water are the people from here — our own people." 

The agreement, signed by Ward, Chief George Ginnish of Natoaganeg, the WSI directors and Tammy Drew-Howse of the Atlantic region of Indigenous Services Canada, marks a critical step forward in ensuring self-sufficiency for Mi'kmaq First Nations, said Ward.

"We'll have a lot more say, a lot more authority, a lot more opportunity to develop our water programs, to develop capacity, to train more people and bring more people in to learn and just take care of our own water source instead of having to rely on outside agencies," he said. 

WATCH | Why local control of water matters to Mi'kmaq communities: 

'Water is life': Mi'kmaw-led organization signs agreement with Ottawa

2 days ago

Duration 1:46

Chief George Ginnish says Weso'tmk Samqwan Inc. water agreement is another step toward local governance.

Unlike some Indigenous communities in Canada, Ward said clean drinking water isn't a major concern for seven of the Mi'kmaq Nations across New Brunswick. 

"We're lucky to have a lot of fresh water, a lot of ground water that is not contaminated," said Ward. "We've had a water system here for decades now and it's been a tremendous help and keeps us safe, keeps us healthy." 

The fight for clean drinking water has been a historic one for First Nations communities in Canada. The federal government is currently facing a national class-action lawsuit from 59 First Nations communities. 

Some of those communities, including in Alberta and Manitoba, have endured years-long boil orders on their water supply.

Ginnish, board chair of North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council, which helped in the strategic planning and development of the WSI, said this agreement was years in the making. 

"Ultimately, our communities want to look after themselves, and part of that is partners that are willing to work with us," said Ginnish. 

"Water is … essential and for us to have local people trained, local control for our seven communities … that's an absolute necessity to make sure that we have safe water." 

Ginnish said this agreement is just one step of many for Mi'kmaq Nations to take back control of their land. Business development and forestry will be the next areas that he'll be looking to negotiate. 

Drew-Howse said this is part of a broader effort to strengthen the federal government's relationship with Indigenous communities across the country.  

"Water is one aspect, land is another aspect, so there are many sectors within Indigenous Services Canada that are working with all of the communities," said Drew-Howse.   

She said the federal government will not remove funding already going to the communities for water management as part of the agreement.