Publications

Decolonizing Water Governance: Addressing the Water Crisis in Ontario Through Recognition of First Nations Jurisdiction

This paper proposes an approach to decolonizing water governance in Ontario along two pathways: Pathway One (short to medium term) concern reforms that must be taken to address the water crisis from within the colonial system; and, Pathway Two (medium to long term) concerns the process and formalization of restored jurisdiction to First Nations regarding water governance that aligns with Indigenous knowledge, customs, and traditions and self-determination.

On Reserve Operations and Maintenance Policy: The Case for Reform

The current Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) operations and maintenance (O&M) policy and funding allocation framework and is significantly flawed. The discrepancy between actual O&M costs First Nations experience and ISC contributions (which are based on project costs rather than life-cycle costs), in addition to the lack of a structured asset management policy, leads to higher costs and prevents First Nations infrastructure and community assets from achieving their full life cycles.

OFNTSC Environmental Services: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Source Water Protection, Contaminated Sites, Solid Waste Management and Environmental Assessment

Environmental management on First Nation’s reserves, as in other jurisdictions across the country deals with a number of issues related to how lands and waters are managed to ensure the protection of the local environment and healthy living conditions for people and wildlife.