Shamattawa First Nation in Manitoba is in the middle of a class action lawsuit against Canada about the right to clean drinking water.
The lawsuits seek a federal court ruling to affirm that First Nations have an inherent right to clean drinking water, but in court, the argument against is that legally, Canada has no duty to ensure that at this point.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations stands with Shamattawa First Nation in this lawsuit.
The First Nations Clean Water Act, Bill C-61 is currently under review by a parliamentary committee.
In a news release, the FSIN says they and other First Nations organizations have voiced concerns about the proposed act, stating that its “best efforts” clause regarding funding falls short of guaranteeing safe water access.
The FSIN news release says water is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right. “This lawsuit is necessary to hold Canada accountable for its Treaty promises and its own moral compass.”