In a unique approach to improving water security through western science and Indigenous knowledge, the University of Saskatchewan-led Global Water Futures (GWF)—the world’s largest university-led freshwater research program—has launched six new co-led projects across Canada to address urgent and growing water quality issues for Indigenous communities.
“We are seeing profound changes to our river basins that affect us all, but no one in Canada is more affected by these changes than those in Indigenous communities,” said Dr. John Pomeroy (PhD), Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change and Director of GWF, a Canada First Research Excellence Fund program.
“Through these co-created and co-led projects, we are working with our Indigenous partners in an unprecedented way to work together to co-develop solutions for critical community water security challenges, while trying to decolonialize water science,” he said.
According to a recent report by Indigenous Services Canada, there are 64 long-term water advisories on First Nations communities in Canada. But drinking water quality is just one of many community water security challenges arising from resource development and climate change.
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