Ermineskin Cree Nation

October 17, 2016

Dear Premier Rachel Notley
Re:

Water Is Sacred

The Government of Alberta and our First Nations have contrary positions about the control and
ownership of water resources on our reserve lands. A recent Globe and Mail report, "Showdown
over water looms for Alberta reserves", observed that if this situation is left unresolved it will
likely lead to legal conflict with our First Nations, and perhaps other First Nations. Indeed, we
are prepared to resist any action taken by the Government of Alberta to take away the water that
flows within and under our lands our survival depends on it. However, we believe it is
possible to find a better way forward based on mutual respect and reconciliation instead of
conflict.
Your government has committed to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Articles 25 and 32 of the Declaration set out the core principle
that the "free and informed consent" of Indigenous peoples is required for government actions
that impact water resources on our lands. We have never given our "free and informed consent"
to the Government of Alberta's bold assertion that it has taken our water resources, nor will we
ever consent to this. The current position of the Government of Alberta on First Nation water
resources is fundamentally inconsistent with the Declaration. Premier Notley, we call on you to
take immediate and effective steps to address this contradiction.
Water is sacred and deserves respect as it gives life to all of creation. With this in mind, it is our
hope that our respective governments can work together in the spirit of reconciliation and in a
manner consistent with the UN Declaration to find a mutually acceptable solution. We request a
meeting with you as soon as possible regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Ermineskin Cree Nation

CC:

Kainai First Nation (Blood Tribe)

Samson Cree Nation

Minister of Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Environment and Parks (Alberta)
Minister of Indigenous Affairs (Canada)

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