First Nations Water Rights
Advocating for Treaty First Nations 6, 7 and 8 in the Alberta Region
The Chiefs Steering Committee (CSC) has taken the lead in exploring the organizational, community, legal and political impacts of Bill C-61 An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands. In September 2023, the CSC received a resolution from the AOTC with the full support of their work to challenge Canada and their First Nations water legislation. As they move forward with their challenges of this legislation, as well as the Indigenous Services Act 2019, they welcome all support from First Nations leadership, organizations and communities – as the risks and impacts of these Acts by Canada put all First Nations across Canada at risk, as well as many of our sacred and shared resources – particularly water.
Update
On January 6th, 2025, stepping down as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau requested the Governor General prorogue parliament until March 24th, 2025. This means a suspension that will stop all proceedings, including debates and votes, without dissolving parliament. Any Bill in progress, such as Bill C-61 (which has not yet been passed) will be halted, referred to as “dying on the Order Paper”. The Bill is removed from the legislative agenda and cannot proceed further unless reintroduced in a future session.
Treaty Bilateral Table on Water and Related Infrastructure (Alberta Region)
The Chiefs Steering Committee requested this Treaty Bilateral Table to Minister Patty Hajdu, to which she agreed on April 22, 2024. It is intended as a forum for engaging in government-to-government dialogue between Canada and Treaty 6, 7 and 8 First Nations from the Alberta Region on water and infrastructure needs, sustainability, planning, and addressing issues and concerns with Bill C-61 and other federal initiatives regarding water.
On December 2nd, 2024, Chief Rupert Meneen, Tallcree Tribal Council (on behalf of the CSC) signed the Terms of Reference with Minister Patty Hajdu (ISC) and Minister Gary Anandasangaree (CIRNAC) in Ottawa. The TOR sign off signals an express acknowledgement of Treaty jurisdiction to water and creates a framework for those First Nations in Treaty 6, 7 and 8 (Alberta Region), who choose, to have a place to address concerns about water and related infrastructure in a government-to-government setting with Canada.
The Treaty Bilateral Table on Water and Related Infrastructure is unique, a one-of-a-kind setting that is not a Rights Implementation Recognition and Self-determination (RIRSD) Table. All discussions are open to Treaty 6, 7 and 8 First Nations and will not abrogate, derogate or prejudice already established or any prospectively planned tables by First Nations in the Treaty areas.
