There's weight to World Water Day in Indigenous community still waiting for clean drinking water

Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.

World Water Day celebrations were held at the Oneida Community Centre on Sunday bringing about 50 people together, many of whom haven't been able to drink from the tap since 2019 when a boil water advisory was put in place.

"I think it's important to have these days so we can reflect and be humble because people do take [water] for granted," Jessica George said noting she has spent most of teenage years and adult life without clean drinking water.

An aging water tower is the primary source of water for 550 homes and 26 community buildings in Oneida, according to data from Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Two weeks ago, the federal department announced that the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System will extend to the territory with clean water available by the spring of 2027.

"We can't drink from our taps and even when bathing, we'll get rashes and stuff from the water," George said. "It makes people sad because water is supposed to be essential and a birthright for us, but we don't have access to that every day and we haven't had access to that for a long time."

"It's something so powerful for our people to show that if we advocate, things can change and we can get better infrastructure into our community," she said.

However, community members at Sunday's event said that the pipeline is not the end of conversations about water in Oneida.

Dawn Chrisjohn, who has spent her entire life in Oneida, said she's noticed that many have forgotten their responsibility to take care of the water, which she believes is the result of colonization.

She explains that traditional instructions were to care for the water, the land and for people. She calls it a reciprocal relationship that is no longer honoured.

"The human aspect of our people and what colonization did, means we're living in a whole different world now," Chrisjohn said. "In our ancient ways, that thankfulness was there every day. We woke up with it, went to bed with it and lived our day with it. That's the piece we're forgetting.

While ceremonies still happen in Oneida, Chrisjohn said that many people have stopped treating water with care in their everyday lives, and that's causing harm.

She said she feels hopeful seeing young people at World Water Day celebrations, and expects that positive change is on its way.

"You can see it coming back. You can see it in our young people. You can feel it."

Oneida Chief Todd Cornelius shared a similar sentiment, but added that it's important for people to think about and celebrate water every day of the year.