Writing
Clean Water Issues
Water is essential for a functioning ecosystem and human health being. For the First Nations in Canada it is an important resource that has been developed into their beliefs and way of life(Plummer,2018). They believe that water is a sacred gift that connects all aspects of life. Rituals revolve around water as they place high importance towards the relationship between their people and the features water has to offer(Plummer,2018). The water crisis in Canada is taking away this essential need for First Nations and leaving them to deal with harmful water sources. The government of Canada has regulated water quality for off-reserve communities but has made no adjustments to First Nation reserves. With this they are forced to face many compromises and difficulties that influence their way of life. The influences of the poor water sources impact have resulted in health issues, and have had a negative effect on their quality and quantity of food, an essential need for the First Nations.
The poor water sources that are offered to First Nations in Canada influence and disrupt their way of life. It is important to understand that these people have been forced to change their day to day activities to simply get clean water for their families. This consists of having to boil water before every use to ensure all bacteria and dirt has been removed. It also consists of many households having to make several trips to collect clean water from a safe water source for every day use. This has become a inconvenience for mothers who care for young children and must care for their families. Another way this water crisis influences the First Nations way of life is that they rely on the water located within their communities for ceremonies, customary hunting and fishing practices, and it also affects the way they teach the children of their cultural and traditional beliefs. Families of First Nation feel that the water corruption has put them at a disadvantage for sharing traditions for future generations. With water so intoxicated it puts great stress on First Nation families. All these extra cautionary steps they need to take to ensure the water they use is safe for their family is also causing stress, which disturbs the natural well being of families who are suffering. As a Canadian everyone should be able to address all religious attributes in all ways, the government not caring for the water takes this right away from Canadians.
Water is a very important feature towards life but can become very dangerous when it’s not treated properly. Too many and the wrong kind of chemicals they use for treatment can actually risk the quality of health. There are 134 water systems in Canada and 85 of the water systems are on reserve sources(Klasing,2016). With in these water sources it is concluded by Human Rights Watch (2017), that these water sources have various amounts of Escherichia Coli. This can result in a risk of cancer and serious gastrointestinal disorders. E. Coli can sometimes occur naturally but more often than not it is formed from poor water management.
For the First Nations the lack of water treatment is also causing a skin inflammation crisis as well. Children growing up not being able to use water from their taps causes risk to when they improperly clean the water. When bathing they put themselves at risk to skin infections, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin related issues. Many doctors relate these reactions to be from the contaminated water that is used from hygiene purposes. Debora C., a mother of a 9 year old son in Grassy Narrows First Nations, explains “I kept taking him to the clinic and they kept saying it was eczema. His belly and buttocks got really red, oozy, and it spread. The ointment didn’t work.”(Klasing,2016). Her son was later diagnosed with a skin disease that resists antibiotics that is caused from water contamination(Klasing,2016).
The poor water and sanitation in First Nations also contributes to the quality and quantity of their food supply. First Nations rely on water supplies as an important aspect in their cooking lifestyle. Water is an important resource for cleaning dishes and cleaning foods(Klasing,2016). This puts risk towards people who take in those foods that have been contaminated from the chemicals that were in the water used for washing. This leads to the many health risks that was stated in the paragraphs above. Also a result in using dishes that have been washed with contaminated water can also put First Nations at risk as the food can collect contamination from the surface. One in five homes on reserves have contaminated water which results to these families having to come up with alternative solutions for cooking. They are forced to boil all water used for cooking or have to buy jugs of water that is very limited for reserves to purchase. Some families are also having to reuse water, to use their water for multiple reasons. This may include having to use bath water for cooking and vice versa. Having clean water for cooking should not be a concern for families. It a basic need, so why do the First Nations have to work so hard to make sure what they eat and drink is safe for their families.
Aboriginals knowledge of water is interwoven in with many aspects of being; cultural, intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Water plays a very import aspect towards First Nations lifestyle. This is why this topic is an ecological issue that needs to be resolved. It is the unfairness and risk of having to change their religious attributes towards water, the health risks attached to having contaminated water, and the risks that are involved with food that the families living in these circumstances should have have to encounter (Council of Canadians,2019). With these in mind the Canadian government need to address this issue to best benefit Canada and the lifestyle of these Canadians who deserve the best living situations.
Canada, H. (2019, March 13). Drinking water quality in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/water-quality/drinking-water.html
Make it Safe | Canada's Obligation to End the First Nations Water Crisis. (2018, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/06/07/make-it-safe/canadas-obligation-end-first-nations-water-crisis
The Council of Canadians. (2019, April 05). Retrieved from https://canadians.org/fn-water
The Narwhal. (2018, May 14). Canada Pledges $170 Million to End Water Crisis in Indigenous Communities. But Is It Enough? Retrieved from https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-pledges-170-million-end-water-crisis-indigenous-communities-it-enough