Indigenous Groups Unite to Defend Water Rights in Canada

The Dene Nation and Alberta Treaty 8 First Nations have formed an alliance to protect their treaty water rights. The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 29, creating a partnership aimed at safeguarding their shared water resources.

The MOU seeks to promote Indigenous-led water monitoring and stewardship in the Mackenzie River Basin, as well as improve accountability among oil sands industries. It also calls for the reform of Alberta's Mine Financial Security Program to ensure mining companies pay for reclaiming and remediating tailings ponds.

Dene National Chief George Mackenzie emphasized the importance of water, stating, 'Our waters are sacred with a living memory that is central to the wellness of our people and cultures.'

The partnership between the Dene Nation and Alberta's Treaty 8 First Nations recognizes and affirms Indigenous rights under Section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act and all 46 articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).