Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

water and sanitation

Canada’s freshwater is our greatest asset; governments are failing to protect it

Canada’s freshwater is our greatest asset; governments are failing to protect it

In 2015, the world committed itself to 17 global goals that became known as the Sustainable Development Goals with the intent of serving as a “universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity,” according to the United Nations. Goal 6, which commits the world to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation, has been in the headlines ahead of the UN 2023 Water Conference which will launch the Water Action Agenda with commitments from countries across the globe to promote water security.

Origami hummingbirds to make a splash at UN Water Conference

Origami hummingbirds to make a splash at UN Water Conference

In an ancient Peruvian folktale, a hummingbird fetches water to put out a forest fire, one drop at a time. The other animals look on and laugh at her. Then, the little bird replies, “I’m doing what I can.” The tale inspired UN-Water, which coordinates the world body’s work on water and sanitation, to launch the ‘Be the change’ campaign for World Water Day on 22 March,  that urges everyone to do what they can to change the way they use and manage water.

Over $4 million in SSHRC grants enables UWinnipeg researchers

Over $4 million in SSHRC grants enables UWinnipeg researchers

Dr. Melanie O’Gorman (Economics) – How Important are Water and Sanitation? Investigating the Associations between Water/Sanitation and Well-being in First Nations in Manitoba Other UWinnipeg researchers included as co-applicants on SSHRC Insight Grants include: Dr. Luc Clair (Economics), How Important are Water and Sanitation? Investigating the Associations between Water/Sanitation and Well-being in First Nations in Manitoba

How London became a 'blue community'

How London became a 'blue community'

London has been officially recognized as a “Blue Community” for its commitment to safe drinking water. The Council of Canadians presented a certificate to Mayor Ed Holder and the city’s water department during a ceremony in front of City Hall Wednesday. The Blue Community Project requires the adoption of the following framework: recognizing water and sanitation as a human right, banning the sale of bottled water at municipal facilities and events, supporting publicly owned and operated water and wastewater services.

What is the truth?

What is the truth?

Sometimes, perhaps like you, I wonder what really is the truth behind some stories. Here are some of the things that puzzle me today…and I wonder what is the truth. 73 per cent of First Nations’ water systems are at high or medium risk of contamination. In 2010, the United Nations declared that water and sanitation were basic human rights, acknowledging they are essential to the realization of all other human rights. But if we can build oil lines going through Indigenous land, why can’t we bring water lines to those lands? What is the truth?

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