Witchekan Lake First Nation Source Water Protection Plan

Witchekan Lake Band #117

Source Water Protection Plan

2009

Donna Rae Paquette North Saskatchewan River Basin Council Table of Contents

Page

Saskatchewan First Nation Map 1 Saskatchewan’s 29 Watersheds Map 2 Churchill River Basin 3 Beaver River Watershed 4 History of Witchekan Lake Band 5 Witchekan Lake Land & Water Use 6 Background of the Source Water Protection Plan 7 Purpose of a Source Water Protection Plan 7 Planning a Water Protection Strategy 8 Water Conservation 9 Water Quality 11 Water Supply 13 Surface Water Quality 14 Ground Water Quality 16 Natural Habitat 18 Notes For Additional Key Actions 20 Source Water Protection Implementation Plan 21 List of Objectives 22 List of Key Actions 24 Table of Key Actions, Costs & Personnel 26 Table of Costs of Key Actions 32 Table of Costs to Meet Objectives 33 Notes for Additional Key Actions 34 Conclusion 35 References & Photo Credits 36

Saskatchewan First Nations The red dot signifies Witchekan Lake

1 Saskatchewan’s 29 watersheds

2 Churchill River Basin

The Churchill River has historic ties to the opening of the west and the north. The river was a major exploration and fur trade route. Explorer and trader Alexander Mackenzie travelled the Churchill River in 1792 on his way to the Pacific Ocean. Stanley Mission

Church, built on the north shore of the river in the 1850’s by Anglican missionaries, is Saskatchewan’s oldest building.

The Cree call the Churchill River ‘missinipe’ or ‘great water.’ At 2,100 km long, it flows from Alberta west to Saskatchewan and Manitoba and finally empties into Hudson Bay. In Saskatchewan, the Churchill drainage basin takes in almost half of the province's northern boreal forest. In Saskatchewan, the river basin occupies 72,000 km2 and drains about one quarter of the province in the north.

Eleven of Saskatchewan's fifteen largest lakes are part of the Churchill River system, including Reindeer Lake, Wollaston Lake, and Lac La Ronge, each of which are over 400 km2 in area.

This region contains the largest number of species of breeding songbirds in North America. It is home to the woodland caribou and supports one of the largest inland populations of bald eagles in North America. Some of these eagles have been used to re- establish populations in Canada and the Unites States as far east as Pennsylvania.

3 Beaver River Watershed

The Beaver River Watershed contains meandering streams and rivers which drain multiple lakes such as Chitek Lake, Cowan Lake, Cold Lake, Meadow Lake, Lac La Plonge, Waterhen Lake, Witchekan Lake, Lac des Iles, and Flotten Lake.

Major towns found within the watershed include Spiritwood, Meadow Lake, Big River, Pierceland, Loon Lake and St. Walburg. It includes approximately nine First Nations Reserves in Saskatchewan, including: Big Island Lake Cree Nation, Island Lake First Nation, Onion Lake First Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Pelican Lake First Nation, Witchekan Lake First Nation and Big River First Nation.

This watershed system supports fish species that include northern pike, walleye, sauger and yellow perch. Other fish species that may be present are brook trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, lake whitefish, two varieties of suckers, and burbot.

There is no commercial or recreational fishing on Witchekan Lake. Prior to the 1980s there used to be some recreational fishing for northern pike (jackfish) as well as suckers, who used to spawn in the lake. There also were settlements on the east and west sides of Witchekan Lake where the tributary creeks enter the lake. According to reserve residents there used to be good fishing on the east side of the lake. Low oxygen levels in the shallow lake are currently not sufficient for fish to survive.

The town of Spiritwood used to dump sewage into the lake and in the spring of 2007 the reserve sewage lagoon flooded into the lake. The water is discolored and swimmer’s experience ‘swimmers’ itch’. It is suspected that chemicals utilized by surrounding intensive hog operations leach into the water.

4 History of Witchekan Lake Band

Ancestors of the Witchekan Lake Band members date back to the 1830’s and possibly earlier, according to band history. The Elders tell of a man named “Kawkaykeesick” as one of four sons of a Saulteaux man named Osawahpisk (also known as ‘Old Brass’). This man and his family had travelled to the region from the East, likely from what is traditional Ojibwa territory along the shores of Lake Superior in Ontario.

Kawkaykeesick settled in the region the people of Witchekan Lake Band now occupy. According to historic documents the area was a natural camping ground and resources were abundant. It was a stopping place to camp and visit as well as celebrate cultural events. Over time this stopping place grew into a more permanent settlement. Hudson Bay Company records list Kawkaykeesick’s name, as well as some of his family members, as trading at the Shell River Post between the years 1890 to 1896.

In these early years the Witchekan Lake Band and the Saulteaux Band at Jackfish Lake were tied socially and culturally, and became a mix of Cree and Saulteaux. In 1949 a Department of Indian Affairs official described them as descendants of Big Bear’s band who scattered to avoid arrest and imprisonment following the defeat of Louis Riel’s supporter’s in 1885.

Big Bear was of Cree and Ojibwa descent, and he is known to have spent time in the Jackfish Lake area among the Saulteaux Band members.

In 1912 Chief Kawkaykeesick began the process of requesting a reserve to protect the people and their traditional land from incoming settlers. Surveys were carried out and land set aside, but the area originally assigned to the band was reduced following outcry by settlers.

Witchekan Lake Band remained an autonomous, self-sufficient and independent band until 1950, when they signed an adhesion to Treaty Six.

5 Witchekan Lake Land & Water Use

The Witchekan Lake First Nation is 4,757 hectares in size and is located 90 km northeast of North Battleford in the R.M. of Spiritwood. It has a total population of 460, with half of total population residing on-reserve. It encompasses roughly 8,485 hectares (20,960 acres, 84.8 km2) of Reserve and Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) lands.

Witchekan Lake First Nation is part of the Beaver River Watershed within the Churchill River Basin. The Churchill River Basin is approximately 187,995 km2 making it the largest basin in Saskatchewan. This basin encompasses three watersheds: the Beaver River, Churchill River and Reindeer River/Wollaston Lake Watersheds. The Beaver River begins at Beaver Lake, northeast of Edmonton, Alberta, drains from the west side of Alberta, across northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and empties into the Hudson Bay. Th community is situated on the border of the North Saskatchewan and Beaver River watersheds.

There are two lakes on the main Reserve of Witchekan Lake First Nation – Witchekan Lake and Sylvander Lake. Natural drainage of the area is down towards the lower-lying sloughs to Witchekan Lake and creeks that empty into the lake. Overall drainage from the reserve goes north to the Big River.

In dry years the Witchekan Lake water level goes down allowing Band members to make hay on the dried-up shoreline. In wet years, pasture and hay land along the shores of the lake may flood. In the past, there had been discussions of putting lake level control structures on the outlet of the lake, but due to downstream opposition this idea was terminated.

All of Witchekan Lake’s agricultural land is farmed by non-Band members (neighboring farmers). Crops seeded on the Reserve include barley, canola, field peas, wheat and oats. Agricultural chemicals (pesticides) may be applied to cropland to prevent, control and/or destroy unwanted plant or animal life, such as bacteria, fungus, insects, nematodes, weeds and rodents.

Insecticides are rarely used on Reserve land; fungicides are occasionally used in wet years. There has been some concern about chemicals and fertilizers applied to cropland, and the impacts that they may have on the environment and the health of the people. The most common fertilizers applied to agriculture crops include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur to improve crop production.

The community’s potable water source is groundwater which feeds individual wells and the community well on the Witchekan Lake First Nation. Approximately 14 wells are in active use, and 19 are abandoned.

6 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 2000 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 Source 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 Witchekan Lake First Nation 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.

7 Planning a Water Protection Strategy

In the spring of 2008 Witchekan Lake First Nation residents 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, alternate sources of water storage.

Agreement was reached on the following objectives, actions, key partners/leads and timelines outlined in this Source Water Protection Plan. Through discussions came solutions to address the following issues:

Water Conservation (Preserving water in wells)

Water Quality (Water Treatment Plant replacement, maintaining water line integrity)

Water Supply and Testing (Water testing and hard water)

Surface Water Quality (Pollution and clean-up of Witchekan Lake, protecting riparian zones)

Ground Water Quality (decommission wells, sewage and waste disposal, agricultural waste management)

Natural Habitat (waste disposal and recycling, fencing for landfill, clean-up of surrounding area)

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

8 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 from the Northwest Territories, known as the Prophet Ayah, told of a coming time when there would be no fresh water left in the world except that water in Great Bear Lake. Nations from around the world would come to the NWT because of a global water shortage. Fighting and war over the last fresh water on Earth would come to Dene country.

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.

Industrialization, irrigated agriculture, massive urbanization, rising standards of living, and, of course, more people are pushing the demand for freshwater to new heights, undermining already fragile water security for many nations. Canadians are the second highest users of water in the world.

9 Objective 1: Increase awareness among residents of the need for water conservation, the necessity of maintaining water quality, and the benefits of using water more efficiently.

Recommendation: The Chief and Council, in consultation with health and environment agencies, should develop conservation strategies and promote efficient water use, and educate the community on water well health and safety issues.

Recommendation: That the wells and cisterns be regularly cleaned and chlorinated.

Key Actions:

Key Action 1: Hold an awareness workshop for the community on water issues.

Key Action 2: Ask for volunteers to participate in a water action plan.

Key Action 3: Form water action committee to address water-related issues from interested community members.

Key Action 4: Have water committee review results of water testing.

Key Action 5: Use models in school to teach students about water contamination.

Key Actions 6: Develop a schedule of regular cleaning and/or chlorinating for all water wells.

10 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 scenario is very real. First Nations face many freshwater safety issues including:

• Untreated sewage flowing on land and into static/flowing water bodies • Livestock waste presence and proximity to water bodies • Unregulated and unmanaged landfills and resultant pests • Groundwater contamination by surface agents • Abandoned wells hazards and pollution potential • 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 Witchekan Lake First Nation have continued long-term access to safe, clean drinking water.

11 Recommendation:

That all delivery systems, facilities and equipment used to achieve that goal 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.

Key Actions:

Key Action 7: Formulate a plan to show that the treatment plant is obsolete using existing, historic facts and figures.

Key Action 8: Incorporate a tour of the facility for Chief and Council, Community Health workers, a representative from Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Indian Health Services.

Key Action 9: Draw up a budget for INAC-backed construction of a new water treatment plant.

Key Action 10: Request letter of support from First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan and Witchekan Lake Community Health director for new water treatment plant.

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:

Ensure that all residents of Witchekan Lake First Nation have continued, long-term access to safe, clean drinking water.

Recommendation:

That all delivery systems, facilities and equipment used to achieve that goal 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.

Key Action:

Key Action 11: Request letter of support for new plant from Regional Director General Riel Bellegarde and Member of Parliament Rob Clarke.

13 Surface Water Quality

Agricultural activities contribute pollutants to the surrounding land and water bodies within proximity. Examples are run-off from cropped fields sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Intensive Livestock Operations (ILO’s) surround Witchekan Lake. The potential for pollution from animal waste is great and entirely dependent on ethical farm practices. Run-off damage includes nutrient-loading of water bodies with resultant algae bloom, the introduction of toxic chemicals detrimental to vegetation in riparian areas and to riparian-using wildlife like insects, pond-dwellers like frogs and salamanders, waterfowl and small mammals.

There are three major livestock pastures on the Reserve: o Bapaume Pasture – owned by the First Nation for roughly 8 to 10 years. It covers approximately 6,900 acres. In the summer of 2007, there were roughly 850 cow-calf pairs in the pasture, owned by non-Band members. o South Pasture – approximately 730 acres leased to a local area farmer. In the summer of 2007, there were approximately 80 cow-calf pairs and 70 horses grazing here. Generally the herd size is larger (200 pairs), but because of flooding of some of the land, numbers were reduced. o North Pasture – joint partnership between Witchekan Lake and Pelican Lake First Nations. In 2007 there were roughly 33 cow-calf pairs of bison grazing there on about 800 acres of Witchekan Lake Reserve land.

Approximately 3 small horse producers, with 5 to 30 horses; a few residents possibly have 1 or 2 horses as well. No intensive livestock operations (hog barns, dairies, feedlots, etc.) on the Reserve, but there are several in the Spiritwood area. There is an old, unused and abandoned diary barn on the Reserve from a former operation.

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 12: Advise livestock owners of potential for water-borne illnesses from animal feces-related pollution of surface and groundwater supplies.

Key Action 13: Investigate chemical runoff from surrounding farmland with assistance from FNACS, and sample water from Witchekan Lake.

Key Action 14: Plant trees in community as buffers for water sources, including creeks, rivers, lakes and sloughs.

Key Action 15: Investigate technology to clean up water in Witchekan Lake.

15 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 Witchekan Lake First Nation do not contribute to contamination or pollution of the groundwater.

Recommendation:

That the community be made aware of the potential for drinking water pollution through unprotected water wells.

Recommendation:

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

16 Key Actions:

Key Action 16: Ask Chief and Council to discuss to decommissioning all unused and abandoned water wells.

Key Action 17: Emphasize importance of maintaining healthy environment for water well safety.

Key Action 18: Decommission 12 abandoned wells.

Key Action 19: Test water from Moose creek.

Key Action 20: Investigate existing and outside funding sources for identified projects.

17 Natural Habitat

Loss of habitat is the primary reason for the overall decrease in number of all wildlife species in North America. Saskatchewan’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and the extraction of natural resources and minerals. All these activities require a clearing of the natural ecosystems, whether boreal forest, aspen parkland or short-grass prairie.

Songbirds are fewer, predators are many, 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 due to grazing in cropped fields, while mallard ducks are disappearing from Prairie potholes drained to plant those crops.

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 Witchekan Lake First Nation.

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

Recommendation: That the community develop a reduce/re-use/recycling program

Recommendation: That the landfill area be cleaned and organized and dumping areas be designated for all refuse

Recommendation: That the Chief and Council develop a more environmentally- conscious and healthy method of waste disposal for members of the First Nation.

18 Key Actions:

Key Action 21: Inquire into sponsorship of recycling bins; inquire as to cost, preferred locations, pick-up or delivery system, acceptable materials.

Key Action 22: Contact neighboring communities to inquire about pick-up of recyclables or partnership.

Key Action 23: Organize work crew to pick up all windblown debris in outer regions and hills surrounding landfill.

Key Action 24: Educate community members on value and benefits of recycling.

19 Notes ______

______

Additional Key Actions

Key Action Person Cost Target Date Actual Date

20 Witchekan Lake First Nation

SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

Implementation Plan

2009

21 List of Objectives

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

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

Objective 3: To ensure a long-term, steady, reliable, healthy 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 Witchekan Lake First Nation do not contribute to contamination or pollution of the groundwater.

22 List of Key Actions

Key Action 1: Hold an awareness workshop for the community on water issues.

Key Action 2: Ask for volunteers to participate in a water action plan.

Key Action 3: Form water action committee to address water-related issues from interested community members.

Key Action 4: Have water committee review results of water testing.

Key Action 5: Use groundwater model in school to teach students about groundwater and surface water contamination.

Key Action 6: Develop a schedule of regular cleaning and/or chlorinating for all water wells.

Key Action 7: Formulate a plan to show that the treatment plant is obsolete using existing, historic facts and figures.

Key Action 8: Incorporate a tour of the facility for Chief and Council, Community Health workers, a representative from INAC and Indian Health Services.

Key Action 9: Draw up a budget for INAC-backed construction of a new water treatment plant.

Key Action 10: Request letter of support for new Water treatment plant from First Nations Agricultural Council and Witchekan Lake Community Health representatives.

Key Action 11: Request letter of support for new plant from RDG Riel Bellegarde and MP Rob Clarke.

Key Action 12: Advise livestock owners of potential for water-borne illnesses from animal feces.

Key Action 13: Investigate chemical runoff from surrounding farmland with assistance from FNACS.

Key Action 14: Plant trees in community as buffers for water sources.

23 Key Action 15: Investigate technology to clean up Witchekan Lake.

Key Action 16: Ask Chief and Council to discuss passing Band Council Resolution to decommission all unused and abandoned water wells.

Key Action 17: Emphasize importance of maintaining healthy environment for water well safety.

Key Action 18: Decommission 12 abandoned wells.

Key Action 19: Test water from Moose creek.

Key Action 20: Investigate existing and outside funding sources for identified projects.

Key Action 21: Inquire into sponsorship of recycling bins; pick-up or delivery systems and acceptable materials.

Key Action 22: Contact neighboring communities about pick-up of recyclables or partnership.

Key Action 23: Organize work crew to pick up all windblown debris in outer regions and hills surrounding landfill.

Key Action 24: Educate community members on value and benefits of recycling.

24 TABLE OF KEY ACTIONS, COSTS & PERSONNEL

KEY ACTION 1

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date $200. June 15, 2009 Hold an awareness workshop Valerie Scott for the community on water issues.

KEY ACTION 2

Action Item Person Cost Target date Completion Responsible date June 15, 2009 Ask for volunteers to Valerie Scott No Cost participate in a water action plan.

Key Action 3