Sweetgrass First Nation

Source Water Protection Plan 2009

Donna Rae Paquette North River Basin Council

Saskatchewan’s 29 Watersheds

Table of Contents What is Source Water 2

The Ice Age: Source of the North Saskatchewan River 3 Home of the Dinosaur Fish – Lake Sturgeon 6 The Battle River 7 History of Sweetgrass First Nation 8 Sweetgrass Land and Water Use 9 Background of the Source Water Protection Plan 10 Purpose of a Water Protection Plan 10 Planning a Water Protection Strategy 11 Water Conservation 12 Water Quality 14 Water Supply 16 Surface Water Quality 17 Ground Water Quality 18 Natural Habitat 19 Notes for Additional Key Actions 20 Source Water Protection Implementation Plan 21 List of Objectives 22 List of Key Actions 23 Table of Key Actions, Costs and Personnel 24 Table of Costs of Key Actions 28

Table of Costs to Meet Objectives 29

Notes and Additional Key Actions 30

Conclusion 31 References and Photo Credits 32

1 What is Source Water

Source water is defined as water contained in all creeks, rivers, lakes and smaller water bodies which drain into larger, main water bodies. All waters from all locations in the North Saskatchewan River drainage basin that contribute their flow to the North Saskatchewan River are considered source waters.

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At 1,287 km the North Saskatchewan is the longest east-west river in

There are 72 in Saskatchewan. Reserve lands throughout the province account for 2.1 million acres of the 161.1 million acre provincial land base. Hundreds of creeks, rivers and lakes are on the land. Clear natural springs dot the landscape. These are source waters for the larger rivers flowing east and north.

This abundance and clarity of water, that once was more than adequate for the needs of the people, has undergone a change following the rapid settlement and development of Saskatchewan with its rich farm land and abundance of natural resources.

Too many First Nations have current and on-going problems with their drinking water supply and sewage treatment systems. Contaminated surface and groundwater from local and upstream sources threatens the health of all residents. Many families are forced to spend a large part of their financial resources on bottled water for drinking and cooking.

The consequences of unprotected source water became evident in 2001 in the City of North and communities up and down stream whose drinking water source is the North Saskatchewan River. Between 5,000 to 7,000 people were recorded as having symptoms of gastroenteritis when the water was tainted by a micro-organism called „cryptosporidiosis‟ found in both animal and human fecal matter. The deadly bacteria came to the city from an upstream source. Protecting source water is the first barrier to preventing water-borne diseases and toxins.

2 The Ice Age: Source of the North Saskatchewan River

The North Saskatchewan River originates from the Saskatchewan Glacier located in ‟s Columbia Icefield in western Canada‟s Rocky Mountains. Situated in Banff National Park, the icefield is a remnant of a vast ice sheet that stretched from the foothills of the Rockies to the Pacific Coast 15,000 years ago. The Saskatchewan glacier is continually melting and shrinking in length, known as „retreating‟. Currently 10 km long, it has retreated 2 km since 1980.

Saskatchewan Glacier in 1964. Note the peak at top left and long strip of glacier flowing past.

3 A 2005 close-up photo shows the same peak but much of the glacier strip has melted and receded leaving the rocky channel exposed.

Glacial melt water forms the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River. Flowing east across Alberta it absorbs the Clearwater River before flowing into Saskatchewan. Crossing the border the river rolls past . Along this journey, it is joined by the Battle River near the . The Battle River is the largest tributary to the North Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan but adds less than five per cent of the total flow.

The South Saskatchewan River flows into our province from southeastern Alberta. It flows east and then north to . Going through the city it flows northeast and ends just past Prince Albert. The North and South Saskatchewan Rivers join at “The Forks” east of Prince Albert and become simply the Saskatchewan River. From there it flows into the Nelson River system and Lake Winnipeg in . It ultimately empties into Hudson Bay which eventually drains east to the Atlantic Ocean.

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Approximately 80,000 km2 of land contributes runoff to the North Saskatchewan and Battle Rivers before they flow into Saskatchewan. Alberta contributes over seven million m3 of the water flow from Alberta into Saskatchewan. The yearly discharge at the Alberta/Saskatchewan border is more than 7 billion m3. Starting from a height of 2,080 m above sea level (ASL), it steadily drops as it winds its way east to 380 m ASL.

The North Saskatchewan River at dusk looking west from North Battleford.

5 Home of the Dinosaur Fish – Lake Sturgeon

The North and South Saskatchewan Rivers are home to an ancient fish species that goes back 100 million years to the dinosaur age. Lake sturgeon are normally associated with the Great Lakes regions as well as in major eastern rivers like the St. Lawrence. North America's westernmost population of lake sturgeon can be found in two populations divided between the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers.

The primitive ancestry of these fish can be seen in a shark-like tail, a skeleton that is made of cartilage rather than bone, and five rows of bony plates that protect the body. Sturgeon have no natural predators apart from sports fishers.

Lake sturgeon have an extremely long life and can grow to a great size. Although their average adult size is 10 -14 kg and their average length is 130 cm, (with a tendency to smaller sizes in colder rivers, such as the North Saskatchewan), they can grow as large as 100 kg and live as long as 150 years.

Sturgeon spend almost two decades growing before reproducing.

With a total population of less than 2,000 fish, of which only about 200 are mature and capable of spawning, about 100 are female and only about 25 of these are actually reproducing in any given year. The survival of an entire species is dependent on the reproductive efforts of this small number of fish.

Water diversion and pollution can also cause a reduction in other fish eaten by sturgeon. This reduction in the food chain therefore limits sturgeon growth. Hydroelectric dams, storage reservoirs for irrigation, and discharge of industrial, municipal and domestic effluents all have a negative impact on aquatic populations. Juvenile sturgeon are very sensitive to chemical pollution, and the extreme long life of sturgeon raises concerns about accumulation of toxic contaminants in their bodies.

6 The Battle River

The Battle River trestle, 860 m long and 60 m above the water, was completed December 1908.

Before the explorers and pioneers came, the and Blackfoot tribes held a long- standing enmity between each other and fought many times along the river. Both sides called the river the "fighting water". This is how the river became known as Battle River.

The Battle River flows across Sweetgrass First Nation‟s northern boundary then turns south to follow the eastern boundary before angling off southeast to join the North Saskatchewan River. Tributary creeks, including Drummond Creek and Saline Creek, flow through the Reserve into the Battle River contributing to the Battle River‟s flow.

Drummond Creek bisects Sweetgrass flowing north to empty into the Battle River. Nearby Drumming Hill has a natural spring on the east side.

7 History of Sweetgrass First Nation

The community known as Sweetgrass First Nation was originally known as Strike-Him- On-The-Back Band. Strike-Him-On-The-Back, whose original name had been “Loon Skin Cap” was a signatory to Treaty Six at Fort Carlton in August, 1876. Treaty records show that Treaty Six was also signed by a Cree named Sweetgrass at Fort Pitt one month later.

Strike-Him-On-The-Back was chief between the years 1876 to 1883. He and his band lived along the south side of the Battle River hunting and fishing. Some moved south into the Cypress Hills in summer and came back to the Battleford region in winter.

An 1884 survey set aside lands in three distinct areas for what was thought to be two bands; the Strike-Him-On-The-Band Band and the Sweetgrass Band. Surveyor J.C. Nelson believed he was laying out lands for two separate groups but in reality they were one cohesive unit. Strike-Him-On-The-Back was an old man and deemed intractable at the time of the survey. Sweetgrass, a young man in the band was arbitrarily made chief by Battlefords Indian Agent J.A. McKee in October 1884.

McKee‟s annual report states that “Chief Strike-Him-On-The-Back was not co-operative with government or church therefore he was deposed by the Indian Department and replaced by young Sweetgrass.” As Strike-Him-On-The-Back was still living there was some confusion as to who the true leader was. It was common practice to name the band after the founding chief. By 1885 the name Strike-Him-On-The-Back Band was no longer used and all records began to refer only to the Sweetgrass Band.

Land was set aside in three distinct regions: Reserve 30 or #113A, originally comprised of three square miles, is situated west of Battleford. The band settled here first. Reserve 31 or #113, intended to be the main community, was surveyed for 61.1 square miles southwest of Battleford on Manitou Creek. This creek was also known as “Medicine Man Drumming Creek” and is currently named “Drummond Creek” in official records. Reserve #113B is located northwest of Battleford. It was set aside as hay land.

Strike-Him-On-The-Back had to be coaxed into moving from Reserve #113A to the new location at #113. Reserve #113A was good hunting ground with plenty of wild game close to the river. Every spring the people built fish baskets and a fish weir to harvest and dry fish. The natural resources fit their nomadic lifestyle.

The Indian Agent had to convince him that the land at #113 had greater potential for growth as it was much larger for the growing population and closer to the Battleford trading area. It was more particularly more fertile for agriculture, now considered the way of the future, as opposed to the traditional hunting and gathering culture of the Plains.

By the early 1880‟s many of the Sweetgrass residents were active in agriculture, growing crops of oats and wheat, as well as vegetables such as carrots, turnips and potatoes.

8 Sweetgrass Land and Water Use

Located 35 km west of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Sweetgrass First Nation is home to 483 people according to a 2006 census. Approximately 45 per cent of the total land entitlement of 240 km2 is cropland. Native grass and hardwood make up about 20 per cent of the land cover, with tall shrubs completing the vegetation. The remaining land is mainly pasture and marshland.

The core area of Sweetgrass First Nation is located north and south of highway #40, approximately 30 km west of Battleford, Saskatchewan. It encompasses roughly 23,196 hectares (57,320 acres), 231.9 km2 of land in Reserve status and/or Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) status, including the following Reserves:

· Sweetgrass (IR) No. 113 – 15,540 hectares (38,400 acres) · Sweetgrass IR No. 113A – 259 hectares (~ 640 acres) · Sweetgrass IR No. 113B - 518 hectares (1,280 acres)

The First Nation‟s lands are not all located in the same parcel of land – some are in Rural Municipality (RM) #439 Cutknife, RM #438 Battle River and RM #436 Douglas, RM #409 Buffalo and RM #406 Mayfield. For the purpose of this project, the lands away from the core area of IR #113 were excluded.

9 Background of the Source Water Protection Plan

In 2004, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) identified water quantity and quality as major concerns on First Nations in Canada. From this the department developed the “Plan of Action for Safe Drinking Water in First Nations Communities” in 2006 and set in motion the delivery of the plan. In 2007 INAC contracted Environment Canada (EC), who contracted the First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan (FNACS).

Contract agreements were signed in March 2007 between FNACS and EC and between FNACS and the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA). The SWA provided funding for FNACS to develop source water protection plans on three First Nations in Saskatchewan – Muskeg Lake, Witchekan Lake and Sweetgrass. These communities were chosen because of their proximity to major tributaries and feeder streams into the North Saskatchewan River. If the projects are successful, EC and INAC will consider extending the project into other reserves in Saskatchewan.

Purpose of a Water Protection Plan

There are many concerns about water quality on First Nations in Saskatchewan. Water is a very important aspect of First Nations tradition. It is considered the lifeblood of the Earth. With changes in the lifestyles and culture of First Nations individuals since the introduction and incorporation of Western European culture, views and treatment of water have subsequently been affected.

The purpose of this Source Water Protection Plan is to provide stakeholders in Sweetgrass with relevant information to enable them to make decisions and carry out specific actions to protect both surface and ground waters that exist on and around the First Nation. It also requires the identification of water resources and possible sources of contamination that may negatively affect these water resources.

The people of Sweetgrass First Nation are dependant on groundwater resources specifically for their drinking water. The municipal water treatment plant currently gets its water from one groundwater well, and supplies treated water to approximately 117 units.

There are also nine active individual wells on the Reserve. Surface water is only used for some livestock watering; however, because there is a close linkage between groundwater and surface water, it is important to take actions to protect surface water in addition to groundwater.

10 Planning a Water Protection Strategy

On April 17, 2008 Sweetgrass First Nation members met for a “Future Search Conference” held on the Reserve. The purpose was to create a vision and set goals to nurture the community‟s water and their environment, thereby protecting source water of the North Saskatchewan River. Their vision included eliminating sources of water contamination, such as old wells, substandard sewage handling facilities and an unregulated landfill. Residents wanted to address drinking water supplies and alternate sources of water delivery.

The community agreed on the following objectives, key actions, partners and timelines outlined in the following Source Water Protection Plan. Through discussions came solutions to address the following issues seen on the Reserve.

Abandoned wells o improperly sealed or abandoned wells (at least 11 on Reserve)

Active wells o Improperly sealed or maintained

Sources of contamination o Pollutants around wells

Agriculture o Pesticide use (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) o Improper disposal of agriculture chemical containers o Excessive/improper application of fertilizers and chemicals o Surface runoff of nutrients and chemicals o Livestock with direct access to wells and surface water

Sewage treatment o Sewage lagoon discharge o Septic tank/infiltration system discharge or leaks

Waste disposal grounds o Objects not monitored o Unregulated frequent burning, toxic smoke and fumes o Hazardous materials and chemicals possibly going into soil and groundwater

The following Source Water Protection Plan has been compiled from concerns and issues raised by members of the Sweetgrass First Nation. The protection plan is a living document, and is subject to changes when additional relevant information becomes available. Thus the community and its partners in the Plan will be able to make informed decisions about protecting the quality and quantity of water in the community.

11 NOTES

12 Water Conservation

The World Commission on Water for the 21st Century, a consortium of global water experts has issued a serious warning. “More than one-half of the world‟s major rivers are being seriously depleted and polluted, degrading and poisoning the surrounding ecosystems, thus threatening the health and livelihood of people who depend upon them for irrigation, drinking and industrial water. "

In the early 1900‟s a Dene elder of the North West Territories, known as the Prophet Ayah, told of a coming time when there would be no fresh water left in the world except water in Great Bear Lake. Nations from around the world would come to the North because of a global water shortage. Fighting and war over the last fresh water on Earth would come to Dene country.

Canadians are the second highest users of water in the world, using almost 400 L/day of water per person. Industrialization, irrigated agriculture, massive urbanization and rising standards of living are pushing the demand for freshwater to new heights; undermining already fragile water security for many nations.

The residents of Sweetgrass First Nation understand the value of conserving water for non-drinking uses and have researched innovative ways to capture and store this natural resource.

Objective 1: Increase awareness among residents of the need for water conservation and the benefits of using water more efficiently.

Recommendation: That all unused water catchment facilities, that have the potential to become sources of contamination, be decommissioned to prevent a future health emergency.

13 Key Actions:

Key Action 1: Identify all abandoned cisterns in the community

Key Action 2: Develop action plan to decommission cisterns.

Key Action 3: Present action plan to Chief and Council for commitment to decommission cisterns.

14 Water Quality

Maintaining a steady supply of safe drinking water is a priority for all communities. The quality of potable water is affected by many sources in the environment, especially from populated areas. Pollution can emanate from many sources and points of origin. If left unchecked or allowed to continue unabated the potential for a water- related human disaster is very real. First Nations face many freshwater safety issues including:

• Untreated sewage on land and into static/flowing water bodies • Livestock close to water bodies • Unregulated and unmanaged landfills and resultant pests • Groundwater contamination by surface agents • Abandoned well hazards and potential for pollution • Inordinate number of boil water advisories • Continual health concerns related to water quality • Inadequate funding levels to address/implement solution • Off-reserve pollution impacting reserve land (agricultural spraying)

Objective 2: Ensure that all residents of Sweetgrass First Nation have continued long-term access to safe, clean drinking water.

Recommendation:

That all delivery systems, facilities and equipment be of high quality and manufacture, and that it be maintained in optimum working condition and conform to all health and environmental regulations. That all personnel employed in water delivery systems have appropriate, up to date certification, training and accountability mechanisms. Ensure that residents have confidence in the safety of and continued service from the reserve water system.

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Key Actions:

Key Action 4: Post Health Unit water testing results in the Band Office.

Key Action 5: Investigate the installation of a warning system to notify residents of a water quality emergency.

16 Water Supply

The world‟s supply of fresh, clean drinking water is dwindling. The world faces an unprecedented crisis in water resources management with profound implications for global food security, protection of human health, and maintenance of aquatic ecosystems. Water shortages threaten to reduce global food supply while the world‟s population grows by 80 million people each year. With current trends, by 2025 one-third of all humans will face severe and chronic water shortages.

Objective 3:

To ensure a steady, reliable and safe supply of drinking water for all residents.

Recommendation:

That a local venue be established for water supplies during a water emergency.

Key Actions:

Key Action 6: Investigate the cost and feasibility of installing a reverse osmosis drinking water dispenser in Sweetgrass Store.

17 Surface Water Quality

Agricultural activities contribute pollutants to the surrounding land and water bodies close by. Examples are run-off from cropped fields sprayed with weed and insect control chemicals and fertilizer. Run-off damage includes nutrient-loading of water bodies resulting in algae blooms and the introduction of toxic chemicals detrimental to vegetation. This is especially harmful to creek banks and edges of water bodies and to aquatic and riparian wildlife.

Objective 4:

Reduce or minimize surface water contamination and groundwater pollution from animal fecal bacteria.

Recommendation:

That steps are taken to ensure crop and livestock operations and practices do not contribute to degradation of water quality and safety.

Key Actions:

Key Action 7: Advise livestock owners of potential for water-borne illness from animal feces-related pollution of surface and groundwater supplies.

Key Action 8: Repair existing fencing and erect fencing in strategic locations to prevent cattle from watering in Drummond Creek.

Key Action 9: Remove cattle from sensitive riparian regions and pasture cattle in areas containing water troughs filled by solar or wind-powered pumps.

18 Groundwater Quality

Groundwater starts off as surface water or precipitation and enters the ground through areas generally referred to as recharge areas.

Groundwater occurs beneath the surface in the cracks and empty spaces in soil, sand and rock. It accounts for most of the world‟s useable freshwater. It‟s an important source of water for many municipalities and industries, for irrigation, home and farms. However, the supply is not unlimited. Groundwater must be managed and protected against exploitation and contaminants.

Objective 5:

To ensure that the above-ground activities of the Sweetgrass First Nation do not contribute to contamination or pollution of the groundwater. To ensure that Sweetgrass residents have continued confidence in the safety of the source of their drinking water.

Recommendation:

That all point sources of groundwater pollution are identified and action be taken to remove the source or prohibit its continuance.

Key Action:

Key Action 10: Decommission all unused and abandoned water wells.

19 Natural Habitat

Saskatchewan‟s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and the extraction of natural resources which requires clearing natural ecosystems. Therefore, songbirds are fewer, waterfowl have lost their nesting ponds, and muskrat and beaver populations are down. Nature is unbalanced, with large mammals like whitetail deer in an overpopulated state while mallard ducks are decreasing.

Objective 6:

To preserve the natural beauty of the land by minimizing the community‟s ecological footprint. To maintain a healthy and safe landscape for the human and animal inhabitants of Sweetgrass First Nation.

Recommendations:

That the community members undertake a clean-up of the entire reserve to remove all hazards, waste material and debris.

Key Actions:

Key Action 11: Organize a community clean-up to collect all debris and refuse on private and community properties.

Key Action 12: Contact McDonald Metals for appliance pick-up from landfill.

Key Action 13: Contact Indian & Northern Affairs Canada to fund new landfill.

Key Action 14: Investigate process and cost to decommission existing landfill.

Key Action 15: Investigate use of wind or solar-powered pumps to water livestock.

20 Notes ______

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Additional Key Actions

Key Action Person Cost Target Date Actual Date

21 NOTES

SWEETGRASS FIRST NATION

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SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

Implementation Plan

2009

List of Objectives

Objective 1: Increase awareness among residents of the need for water conservation and the benefits of using water more efficiently.

23 Objective 2: Ensure that all residents of Sweetgrass First Nation have continued long- term access to safe, clean drinking water.

Objective 3: To ensure a steady, reliable and safe supply of drinking water for all residents.

Objective 4: Reduce or minimize surface water contamination and groundwater pollution from animal fecal bacteria. . Objective 5: To ensure that the above-ground activities of the Sweetgrass First Nation do not contribute to contamination or pollution of the groundwater To ensure that Sweetgrass residents have continued confidence in the safety of the source of their drinking water.

Objective 6: To preserve the natural beauty of the land by minimizing the community‟s ecological footprint; to maintain a healthy and safe landscape for the human and animal inhabitants of Sweetgrass First Nation.

List of Key Actions

Key Action 1: Conduct a survey of the abandoned cisterns in the community

Key Action 2: Develop action plan to decommission cisterns.

24 Key Action 3: Present action plan to Chief and Council for commitment to decommission cisterns.

Key Action 4: Post Health Unit water testing results in Band Office

Key Action 5: Investigate the installation of a warning system to notify residents of a water quality emergency.

Key Action 6: Investigate the feasibility and cost of installing a drinking water dispenser in Sweetgrass Store.

Key Action 7: Advise livestock owners of potential for water-borne illness from animal feces-related pollution of surface and groundwater supplies.

Key Action 8: Repair existing fencing and erect fencing in strategic locations to prevent cattle from watering in Drummond Creek.

Key Action 9: Remove cattle from sensitive riparian regions and pasture them in areas containing pump-fed water troughs.

Key Action 10: Decommission all unused and abandoned water wells.

Key Action 11: Organize a community clean-up day to collect all debris and refuse on private and community properties.

Key Action 12: Contact McDonald Metals for appliances from landfill pick-up and disposal.

Key Action 13: Contact INA for funding to engineer new landfill

Key Action 14: Investigate process and cost to decommission existing landfill.

Key Action 15: Investigate use of wind and solar powered pumps to water livestock.

TABLE OF KEY ACTIONS, COSTS & PERSONNEL

Key Action 1

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion

25 Responsible date March 30 Identify abandoned cisterns Wes Paskimin No cost 2009 in the community

Key Action 2

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

February 25 Develop action plan to Omer White No Cost 2009 decommission cisterns Katherine Finn

Key Action 3

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date February 25 Present action plan to Chief Omer White 2009 and Council for commitment Tom Whitecalf No Cost to decommission cisterns Wes Paskimin

Key Action 4

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date May 2008 On-going Post results of Health Unit Brittany Albert No Cost water test results in Band Office.

Key Action 5

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date 2002 Investigate the installation of Wes Paskimin No Cost

26 a warning system to notify residents of a water quality emergency

Key Action 6

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date February 28 Investigate the feasibility and Wes Paskimin No Cost 2009 cost of the installation of a pay-per-fill reverse osmosis water dispenser in Sweetgrass Store

Key Action 7

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

Advise livestock owners of Juliette Fineday No Cost On-going potential for water-borne Katherine Finn illness from animal feces- related pollution of surface and groundwater supplies

KEY ACTION 8

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date Approx. Repair existing fencing and Juliette Fineday $5,000/km On-going

27 erect fencing in strategic for 6 km locations to prevent cattle watering in Drummond Creek

Key Action 9

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

Remove cattle from sensitive Tom Whitecalf 2012 riparian regions and pasture Katherine Finn No Cost them in areas containing Juliette Fineday pump-fed water troughs

Key Action 10

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

Decommission all unused Juliette Fineday $ 6,000.00 2012 and abandoned water wells Omer White

Key Action 11

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

Organize a community Bruce Paskimin $1500. 2008 and clean-up day to collect all annually debris and refuse on private and community properties.

Key Action 12

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

28 Contact McDonald Metals Bruce Paskimin No Cost 2008 for appliances from landfill pick-up and disposal

Key Action 13

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date Omer White Contact INAC for funding to Bruce Paskimin $2 million 2012 engineer new landfill. Tom Whitecalf

Key Action 14

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

Investigate process and cost Omer White $2300. September of decommissioning existing Tom Whitecalf 2009 landfill. Bruce Paskimin

Key Action 15

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date

Investigate use of wind or Juliette Fineday No Cost April 2009 solar powered pumps to Tom Whitecalf water livestock

Table of Costs of Key Actions

KEY ACTION ESTIMATED COST FINAL COST

29 Key Action 1 No Cost

Key Acton 2 No Cost

Key Action 3 No Cost

Key Action 4 No Cost

Key Action 5 No Cost

Key Action 6 No Cost

Key Action 7 No Cost

Key Action 8 $ 30,000.00

Key Action 9 No Cost

Key Action 10 $ 6,000.00

Key Action 11 $ 1,500.00

Key Action 12 No Cost

Key Action 13 $ 2,000,000.00

Key Action 14 $ 2,300.00

Key Action 15 No Cost Ta

TABLE OF COSTS TO MEET OBJECTIVES

Subject Key Actions Est. Cost Final Cost

Water Conservation 1, 2, 3 No Cost

30 Water Quality 4, 5 No Cost

Water Supply 6 No Cost

Surface Water Quality 7, 8, 9 $ 30,000.

Groundwater Quality 10 $ 6,000.

Natural Habitat 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 $ 2,003,800.

TOTAL $ 2,039,800.

Notes ______

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31 ______

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Additional Key Actions

Key Action Person Cost Target Date Actual Date

Conclusion

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The waters that flow through the Sweetgrass First Nation are protected by the people because of their mandate as Keepers of the Earth, and their responsibility to enhance the lives of their citizens and their environment.

They understand the ancient origins of the North Saskatchewan River, and know its importance as water that touches a thousand communities and impacts millions of people before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

Because of all this, the responsibility to ensure that local hazards to the natural water system are managed, and the removal of contaminants, is both an individual and collective one.

As individuals the Sweetgrass First Nation voiced their opinions and concerns, offered solutions and volunteered for action. Collectively they agreed to a plan to protect their land and their water.

These decisions will have far-reaching positive impacts for generations to come, and will continue the legacy left by their venerable ancestors.

References

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, “Potable Groundwater Quality on , Sweetgrass First Nation and Witchekan First Nation,” April 2008.

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Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, “North Saskatchewan River Watershed: Preliminary Background Report.” Fall 2005.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority “State of the Watershed Reporting Framework,” January 2006.

North Saskatchewan River Basin Council, “Source Water Protection Plan”, September 2008.

Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, “Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities – Progress Report,” March 2007.

Denise Benfield, “Report to First Nations Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan Inc. „Nurturing the Earth and Water – Future Search Conference, Sweetgrass First Nation,” May 2008.

Sweetgrass Elder Clarence Swimmer, “Treaty Making With Saskatchewan Cree at Fort Carlton 1876,” personal papers and personal interview. March 2009.

Denise Benfield, “Sweetgrass First Nation Source Water Protection Pilot Project Background Report,” March 2008. www.greatcanadianrivers. “Great Canadian Rivers - The North Saskatchewan River Ecosystems”

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society “Saskatchewan Glacier”.

Photo Credits

Denise Benfield, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Wild Prairie Man, Sean Goodson, Katherine Finn.

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