According to Health Canada and the First Nations Health Authority, at the time of this webinar drinking water advisories were in effect in over 40 First Nation communities across Canada, including nine First Nation communities in British Columbia. Drawing on current research and firsthand experience, this webinar will explore the topic of safe and sustainable drinking water in First Nation communities. The speakers discuss the serious realities around this issue, address the challenges being faced, and offer insight on how decision-making can be improved. Lalita Bharadwaj (Unversity of Saskatchewan) begins with an overview of drinking water realities in communities across Canada. She highlights the top 10 public health achievements, and also discusses source water, treatment, and water supply system challenges. Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian (Splatsin) then tells the story of groundwater contamination in B.C.’s Hullcar Valley and the realities of what this current crisis means for the Splatsin people. Offering his firsthand perspective, Kukpi7 Christian describes what the nation expects of government, and what Splatsin needs to ensure safe and sustainable drinking water for all its people into the future. Recorded April 15, 2019 as part of the POLIS Water Sustainability Project's Creating a Blue Dialogue webinar series.
