The stark disparity in water/sanitation access between First Nations and the rest of Canada is firmly rooted in the Canadian public consciousness. The 150th anniversary of Canadas nationhood was recently marked by protests, many citing a lack of clean drinking water on reserve (Palmater (2017); Rabson (2017)). What many Canadians are not aware of is the extent to which substandard water and sanitation systems impact daily life. This research project will identify the socio-economic impacts of inadequate water/sanitation infrastructure in First Nations in Manitoba, and compile information from First Nations in Manitoba on their solutions to Drinking Water Advisories (DWAs). Such information is crucial to highlight the socio-economic costs of underfunded infrastructure and housing, and to identify the priorities of individual First Nations for proper maintenance of infrastructure and housing on reserve.
ObjectivesOur specific research goals in this project are:
To identify reforms to the current system of water/sanitation infrastructure provision desired by First Nations in Manitoba who have experienced DWAs, and by First Nations who lack proper water/sanitation infrastructure and housing.
To identify socio-economic impacts associated with DWAs, inadequate water and sanitation systems, and a lack of indoor plumbing in homes.
Kerry Black - Department of Civil Engineering and Canada Research Chair, University of Calgary
Luc Clair – Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Winnipeg
Gifty Dzorka – Senior Research Associate, Department of Economics, University of Winnipeg
Stewart Hill – Post-doctoral Fellow, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba
Melanie O’Gorman – Professor, Department of Economics, University of Winnipeg
Partner First NationsCanupawakpa Dakota Nation
Fisher River Cree Nation
God’s Lake First Nation
Tataskweyak Cree Nation
Relevant Publications
Lauret, A., Black, K., Golwala, S. & Vogel, T. (2025), “Out of sight, out of mind? The crisis of decentralized water and wastewater servicing in Indigenous communities”, Environmental Science & Policy, Volume 168, 104058, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104058.
Paul, R., Ayers, G., Bergerson, J. , Black, K. , Brucker, T. , Dawoud, C. , Wood, D. (2021), New Sustainable Systems Engineering Program Proposal – Mindset and Development. Proceedings of the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA). https://doi.org/10.24908/pceea.vi0.14925
Vogel, T., Black, K., Fonstad, T., McPhedran, K. (2024). Incorporating Social Costs and Benefits into Decision-Making for On-Reserve Infrastructure. In: Desjardins, S., Poitras, G.J. (eds) Proceedings of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Annual Conference 2023, Volume 1. CSCE 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 495. Springer, Cham. https://doi-org.uwinnipeg.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60415-7_1
O’Gorman, Melanie (2021), “Mental and physical health impacts of water/sanitation infrastructure in First Nations communities in Canada: An analysis of the Regional Health Survey”, World Development, Volume 145, 105517, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105517
Hill, Stewart (2020), The autoethnography of an Ininiw from God's Lake, Manitoba, Canada: First Nation water governance flows from sacred Indigenous relationships, responsibilities and rights to aski, PhD Thesis, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba.
Thompson, S., Bonnycastle, M. and Hill, S. (2020), COVID-19, “First Nations and Poor Housing “Wash hands frequently” and “Self-isolate” Akin to “Let them eat cake” in First Nations with Overcrowded Homes Lacking Piped Water”, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
