Denying the Source: The Crisis of First Nations Water Rights

by Merrell-Ann S. Phare

First Nations are facing some of the worst water crises in Canada and throughout North America. Their widespread lack of access to safe drinking water receives ongoing national media attention, and yet progress addressing the causes of the problem is painfully slow. First Nations have had little say in how their waters are, or are not, protected. They have been excluded from many important decisions, as provinces operate under the view that they own the water resources within provincial boundaries, and the federal government takes a hands-off approach.

The demands for access to waters that First Nations depend upon are intense and growing. Oil and gas, mining, ranching, farming and hydro-development all require enormous quantities of water, and each brings its own set of negative impacts to the rivers, lakes and groundwater sources that are critical to First Nations. Climate change threatens to make matters even worse.

Over the last 30 years, the courts have clarified that First Nations have numerous rights to land and resources, including the right to be involved in decision-making. This book is a call to respect the water rights of First Nations, and through this create a new water ethic in Canada and beyond.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2009

Reviews

[Heather Lobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an informative and well laid out book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, short read on an important Canadian issue.

My only criticism is that, as someone relatively new to the issue of water rights, the author assumes a bit too much advanced knowledge of geographical and indigenous peoples' terms. I had to google as I went along to understand quite a bit of the case law and geographic references.

[Islai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5