WC141 MarApr 2025 - Magazine - Page 11
POLICY
Operators Storm Parliament Hill
Advocating for National Indigenous Water Operator Day.
BY BITA MALEKIAN
N A HISTORIC FIRST, water
operators from Indigenous communities across the country came
together as a unified, national
voice in Ottawa. Representing
the inaugural National Indigenous
Water Operator Committee, this
coalition of frontline professionals
called for federal recognition of
March 21st as National Indigenous
Water Operator Day (NIWOD).
This momentous gathering was
not merely a symbolic gesture. It
was the culmination of meticulous
preparation, including the largestever operator-led survey conducted
within Indigenous communities.
Designed by operators for operators,
the survey adhered to the principles
of OCAP (Ownership, Control,
Access, and Possession) and TriCouncil Policy Statement ethical
guidelines, ensuring the process
respected Indigenous autonomy
and governance. The draft survey
was shared with Indigenous
communities for feedback, refined
through peer review, and its findings
were presented during insight
sessions to develop actionable
recommendations.
I
Bita Malekian, PEng, MEng,
is the Executive Director of
Water Movement.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
On Parliament Hill, operators met with Members of Parliament,
Federal Ministers, Senators, and Indigenous Services Canada
WATER C AN ADA • M ARCH/APRIL 2025
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