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NEWS: Manitoba First Nation to ask UN to investigate violation of their right to water

Chief David Harper

Chief David Harper

The Winnipeg Free Press reports that, “First Nations leaders from northern Manitoba are taking their water crisis to the United Nations. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief David Harper told a Senate committee hearing Tuesday the lack of running water in more than 1,000 homes in northern Manitoba is a violation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People. MKO plans to ask the UN to investigate the violations of rights imposed by the lack of water.”

“The United Nations recommends 50 litres of clean water are needed per person every day to meet minimum standards. In disaster zones, the UN recommends at least 15 litres of clean water per person per day. Many people in the Island Lake region get by on 10 litres per day, usually lugged by family members in pails from local water pipes. Additional water comes in untreated from lakes and rivers that have tested positive for contaminants including E. coli.”

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on September 13, 2007. On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly voted to recognize the human right to water and sanitation. More on that at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=4308. Just six weeks later, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a further resolution that rendered the General Assembly resolution on the right to water and sanitation binding.

“Harper is pushing for the federal government and Manitoba to join forces to build the water-treatment plants, water holding tanks and indoor plumbing fixtures needed to ensure the Island Lake residents have enough clean water to drink, cook and bathe.” We’ve referenced the situation in Island Lake in an earlier campaign blog at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5780.

In an address to the Assembly of First Nations this past December, Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow stated, “First Nations homes are 90 per cent more likely to be without running water than the homes of other Canadians. Most Canadians have access to safe, clean and affordable water coming out of their taps, protected and regulated by their provincial governments. But providing public services on First Nations communities is a federal responsibility, one that successive governments have not lived up to.”

The Winnipeg Free Press adds, “The issue has been front and centre as the aboriginal peoples committee of the Senate considers bill S-11. The legislation seeks to regulate water quality on reserves. Chiefs nationwide have said the bill puts the regulation cart before the water truck. Few communities have the infrastructure needed to meet any regulations on water standards and chiefs, including Harper, say the government needs to help build the systems before they can be regulated. ‘Bill S-11 will not deliver clean running water into 1,000 homes in northern Manitoba,’ said Harper.” The Council of Canadians stands with the Assembly of First Nations and other Indigenous peoples opposing S-11.

The administrative office for the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak is located in Thompson, which is 739 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg Free Press article is at http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/first-nations-to-alert-un-to-water-woes-116296654.html.