Manitoba Water Management Strategy

Over the past few years, the province of Manitoba attempted to create what they call a “comprehensive” water strategy without speaking to First Nations, Metis or Inuit rightsholders. Predictably the strategy, as released in November of 2022, has all the signs of missing the mark. While they have committed to Indigenous inclusion as a key focus area, we have one big question.

When?

Exactly when does Manitoba plan on starting to include Indigenous peoples?

Cause later or in the future was never the right answer. We rely on water, not just to drink, but for our livelihoods. We have felt the impact of bad decisions in the watershed, many of our peoples have been forced from our homes by floods and fires. We maintain inherent rights to water. We are taught water is life. We plan on ensuring that water will continue to nourish our great-grandchildren and all our relations that share the water.

Manitoba must begin a sustained dialogue on water with Indigenous peoples immediately. When Manitoba releases their water action plan later this spring, they must include specific and resourced plans to initiate this process.

Read more from our Comments on the Manitoba Water Management Strategy (April 1, 2023)