Denying the Source

Download or read book Denying the Source written by Merrell-Ann S. Phare and published by Rocky Mountain Books Ltd. This book was released on 2009 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 media attention and yet progress addressing the causes of the problem is painfully slow. 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. 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.