Stand with me on World Water Day....a look back to March 2017...and a look Forward...Call for Continued Action

In March 2017 Students at Banting Stood Up for Clean Water on World Water Day and Week. They went class to class brainstorming  on how to reduce water consumption. They also spoke to the classes about the concerns for First Nations Communities across Canada and the water quality issue particularly in our neighbouring community of Kitigan Zibi and Barriere Lake. Students signed the petition by the David Suzuki Foundation advocating to the government for clean and safe water in First Nations communities. In January 2018 Indigenous Services Minister Philpott announced 

"the Government of Canada is taking further steps to end long-term drinking water advisories affecting public water systems on reserve. Working with First Nation communities, the Government of Canada will work to ensure 91 long-term drinking water advisories are lifted by March 2021." 

However now in even after this commitment more First Nations Communities have been identified as having water quality issues. The David Suzuki Petiton "Clean Water for All" is still collecting signatures. Access to clean water for all Canadians is still an important issue. 

Here is the link for taking action
https://davidsuzuki.org/action/clean-water-for-all/

Ottawa River Keeper also has also been advocating for change. Here is the link 
https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/riverkeepers-blog-world-water-day-2017/?mc_cid=721aa0002b&mc_eid=ebccc62816

Here is our student's e-mail sent to Banting Students to help "Stand with me for clean water on World Water Day" 

From: Banting Students 
Date: Tue, Mar 28, 2017 at 11:48 AM
Subject: Fwd: Stand with me for clean water on World Water Day

Banting Students!

This is a follow up from our World Water Day and Week presentation last Wednesday and Friday!
We appreciate the time you have given us to share with you our concerns of the growing water crisis here in the world and the struggles First Nations communities around us face everyday due to their lack of fresh water available to them. 

Here in Canada it is incredibly easy to take our clean and fresh water for granted. But because of your participation and ideas on how to conserve water we are now reminded and mindful to take shorter showers, turn the tap off while brushing our teeth and using excess shower water to water plants in your home. We will be sharing the list of all of your creative ideas and suggestions for further discussion!

Thank you for providing us with your name and e-mail to participate in David Suzuki's petition to provide fresh water to First Nation communities here in Canada which will be sent to Justin Trudeau. 

By scrolling down and clicking the attachment below, you will be directed to the David Suzuki Foundation site where we you will have the opportunity to sign the petition. 

To read more on the local issues concerning our Anishinaabe neighbours in Kitigan Zibi and Barriere Lake are facing, visit Ottawa River Keeper: https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/riverkeepers-blog-world-water-day-2017/?mc_cid=721aa0002b&mc_eid=ebccc62816

Mikayla Menzies, Kaylee McKay, Taylor McLean, Shannon Tisch , Janet Perry , Science- Room 2

Frederick Banting Alternate

613-591-7678 ext 236

Subject: Stand with me for clean water on World Water Day
To: janet.perry@ocdsb.ca

World Water Day highlights the importance of reconciliation Photo credit: Tjflex2 via Flickr Dear janet, Last month, I joined David Suzuki Foundation colleagues and courageous First Nations leaders from Nibinamik, ShoalLake 40 and the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Tribal Council encouraging the federal government end drinking water advisories. On World Water Day, I’m standing for every person in Canada’s right to clean water and calling for an end to the First Nations drinking water crisis. Will you join me? I’ve benefited from eons of careful stewardship of the land, air and waters where I grew up — long before I was ever aware of colonialism, injustice, or land rights and title. I was born on shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation land on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast. I grew up across the road from the Salish Sea (the Georgia Straight), between two salmon-bearing streams, on a street called S-tálashen (orca). I didn’t know it at the time, but the shíshálh people harvested salmon from those streams for millennia, as the orca had done in the adjacent sea. Despite being born on traditional, unceded First Nation territory, despite going to school with Indigenous kids who lived on “reserves” on the periphery of my hometown, my education in Canada’s colonial history didn’t come till much later. I studied international development at university. I learned about Latin American countries scarred by colonial oppression. I began to wonder about wounds inflicted at home… My education continues to this day. I’m often shocked and heartbroken by the historical and ongoing injustices Indigenous peoples and communities face. In the spirit of reconciliation, I will continue to be curious about our history and act in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada. And I encourage you to go exploring. Look under the rocks of Canada’s colonial past. You might experience heartbreak. But you will also find hope and healing. On, World Water Day, stand with me and Indigenous peoples who have lived here for thousands of years. Tell government to support First Nations-led approaches to providing drinking water in their communities. With hope, Alaya Boisvert Manager of Government Relations, Blue Dot The David Suzuki Foundation P.S. On March 22, World Water Day, will you join me to demand an end to the First Nations water crisis?