First to see the dawn
In the news
First Nations Lands, territories and resources Self-determination Economic and social rights
How a First Nations-owned organization led the way to the first Indigenous-led water authority
James MacKinnon recalls a Mi’kmaw Elder saying: “A system is made automatically better when you own it.”
This is a phrase that has guided him to help achieve the Chiefs’ vision for the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority (AFNWA).
James is Director of Engagement and Government Relations of the AFNWA. The AFNWA is a First Nations-owned, not-for-profit organization incorporated in 2018 to manage the delivery of safe, clean drinking water and wastewater to participating First Nations communities in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
In November 2022, the AFNWA took over the responsibility for water and wastewater services for its member First Nations communities in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
“This transfer is Chiefs-led with the objective to have communities well served through an authority owned by First Nations,” James reflects. “After reviewing the conditions of the existing assets and infrastructure, the studies and the multiple meetings regarding the authority, the Chiefs at the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat decided the AFNWA was ready to embark on this historic journey.”
This project supports UN Declaration Act Action Plan measure FN16, which is about lifting short and long term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities. It also supports measure FN17 on transferring water and wastewater services to First Nations communities and promoting self-determination in service delivery models like the AFNWA.
"This has been a long time in the making and we are grateful for the leadership and commitment from our communities to get us to this milestone. We look forward to building capacity and increasing the level of service to the standards enjoyed by other residents of Canada. We have blazed a trail for others to follow, but that is the way of the Wabanaki, who have always been first to see the dawn."
Potlotek First Nation Chief Wilbert Marshall
Chair of the Board, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority
“A system is made automatically better when you own it.”
The proof of this has played out time and again for AFNWA community members. For example, when a member First Nation lost power and the generator at the water facility failed to go online, the situation could have quickly turned into a disaster. But AFNWA operations were able to step in quickly and resolve the issue in less than 24 hours, with no impact on the community.
A white pickup truck bears the AFNWA logo. The vehicle is parked in front of a cabin. Behind the cabin is a silo with the First Nation’s logo.
“It could have been a scenario where the community ran out of water, and that might have been a week-long issue before us,” says James. “The quick resolution was made possible because we had dedicated technical staff, coordination from the community, inventory on site, and the ability to make decisions quickly.”
Without the AFNWA in charge, maneuvering through the bureaucracy of the Government of Canada could have created a major setback for quick resolutions.
It is fundamental for AFNWA to act as facilitators for First Nations in the Atlantic provinces of Canada to ensure access to safe drinking water and sustainable infrastructures. This aligns with a long-term vision and respects the Two-Eyed Seeing method, a concept developed by Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall that combines Indigenous and Western ways of knowing and learning.
Since the AFNWA was created, 13 communities have joined: 9 in Nova Scotia, 3 in New Brunswick, and 1 in Prince Edward Island. The long-term goal of the AFNWA is to eventually serve nearly 60% of First Nations people living on-reserve in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
The AFNWA will benefit from long-term funding for the next 10 years from Indigenous Services Canada, which will help continue the transfer of services. This service delivery transfer agreement allows for participating First Nations to become members of the AFNWA. The agreement transfers responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and capital upgrades of all water and wastewater assets in participating First Nations to the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority.
Contributed by: Indigenous Services Canada
Department of Justice Canada
- Date modified: