Community-led water governance: Meanings of drinking water governance within remote First Nations and Métis communities in Saskatchewan

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water remains a significant challenge for many Indigenous communities in Canada, particularly for remote communities. This stems from historic colonial practices of water governance that have relied on Western worldviews and excluded Indigenous Peoples. Using an Indigenist research framework and a Community-Based Participatory Research design, we, as Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaborative research team wanted to learn from remote Indigenous communities, including Star Blanket Cree First Nation and the Cumberland House Village at the Treaty 4 and 5 territories (known as Saskatchewan) that have not been adequately represented in water governance. Following this, we used storytelling and deep listening to engage seven Elders and knowledge-keepers from the two communities. The findings show Indigenous People have spiritual and historical worldviews and practices surrounding water and its governance. Promoting Indigenous worldviews in water governance is critical to enhancing access to safe drinking water within the two communities. Therefore, reviving and reconnecting Indigenous drinking water governance promotes community healing and water protection. Insights from this paper propose a meaningful bridge between Western and Indigenous perspectives and the capacity to govern water through deep and complex practices and meanings of water governance.