The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (SVDN) is conducting a review of the Discussion Paper on the development of the Canada Water Agency. In December 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directed the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to work with all stakeholders on the creation of a new Canada Water Agency to determine best ways to keep waters safe, clean and well-managed. SVDN was one of the many stakeholders approached and as a Self-Governing Indigenous Government to provide feedback to this process.
It is an opportunity for SVDN to discuss water, freshwater management and our priorities and needs for the future generations. SVDN Legal is conducting a technical/legal review of this paper to answer key questions posed in the Discussion Paper as it relates to Indigenous peoples and freshwater management, policy, freshwater and climate change, data, and transboundary water issues.
In addition to the technical and legal review, it is important to hear feedback from community to identify priorities in relations to freshwater management and key issues and concerns pertaining to water and water management.
A survey has been developed and will be posted on the SVDN website and shared through social media. Interviews will be conducted with various sectors of the community including: water operators, water monitor, various internal departments, leadership, Elders, Youth, Traditional Harvesters etc.
We encourage community to join an online zoom session on March 10, 2020 from 6-8 pm to discuss water. Tap on link or dial in at the following:
Topic: Water Engagement Session
Time: Mar 10, 2021 6:00 PM Winnipeg
Join Zoom Meeting
https://svdngovernance.zoom.us/j/85349685634?pwd=TEIva2hTNXhIRHcrYmpoZmRBY1dFQT09
Dial by your location: 1 204 272 7920 Canada
Meeting ID: 853 4968 5634 and Passcode: 684840
There will be draws for $50.00 gift cards for both the completion of surveys and for participation in the online zoom session.
The timeframe for this engagement is the month of March, to prepare a final report on the findings for Leadership and for submission to the ECCC on March 31, 2021.
For more information please contact our office at (204) 855-2760 and through email at info@svdngovernance.com
