This year, we have spent a great deal of time learning about the Indigenous water crisis that continues to affect Indigenous communities in Canada.  

We are struggling to understand how it is possible that in 2021, in a first-world country, some Indigenous communities are still living in third-world conditions!  According to the June 16th report on Long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves, there are 51 long-term water advisories in effect for 32 Indigenous communities in Canada.  This means that some kids in Canada do not have clean water to drink!   

We understand that the federal government has worked to lift many advisories since 2015, but according to Indigenous Services Canada, the latest commitment is that some communities will not have access to water until 2023/2024!  Some of these communities haven’t had clean water for decades!

We (Class 55) feel that it is shameful and unacceptable that this is happening in our country, on the land that belongs to Indigenous people!

Clean water is a human right!  We need to do something about this now!  No child in Canada should be without clean water! 

You have the power to do the right thing, Prime Minister Trudeau!  Indigenous communities in Canada deserve better, they have suffered enough! 

Sources:

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1506514143353/1533317130660

https://globalnews.ca/news/7836421/first-nations-water-trudeau-broken-promises/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arnqpnm70Ng