Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
As a national leader — ranking in first place — UCalgary provides sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The university aims to demonstrate exemplary stewardship of water quality and use. With water conservation built into the environment, landscaped areas across campus act as stormwater infiltration basins where rainwater can be retained.
Dalhousie’s global ranking of eighth for work on Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life below water, sits at the top of a list of Dal successes in this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. It’s the highest national placement for this category, positioning Dal as the Canadian leader for this important goal. This year, Dalhousie ranks top 50 in the world for: SDG 14: Life below water — first in Canada and eighth in the world, SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation — third in Canada and 17th in the world, SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production — second in Canada and 19th in the world, SDG 15: Life on land — seventh in Canada and 31st in the world, SDG 2: Zero hunger — seventh in Canada and 36th in the world, SDG 13: Climate action — sixth in Canada and tied for 48th in the world
What happens when Indigenous People lead resource decision-making on their own terms, across their own traditional territories? Communities in Tanzania and Canada are documenting and sharing their experiences, supported by a University of Victoria Department of Geography project that illustrates how partnerships can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Lack of access to safe water is not just a so-called Third World problem. In fact, many First Nations communities in Canada do not have access to safe water. Is Canada failing Indigenous communities when it comes to SDG 6? “I guess it’s more of personal opinion, but yes, I feel there is a long way to go in Canada to achieve SDG 6,” Julie Truelove, head of program development and advocacy at WaterAid Canada, replied. And she emphasized that the SDGs apply to every country in the world, including Canada.
Why should Canadians care about WASH in the developing world? “Because Canadians are generous, Canadians are kind, and because it’s a basic human right,” Hurtubise said. “But also because WASH is central to everyone’s health and is central to sustainable development. “If we invest in WASH in other countries and are able to contribute to curbing the pandemic, and also contributing to environments that are safer and more stable, it’s a win-win for everyone. It’s a question of individual dignity and individual security.”
