An Indigenous Droplet
Every droplet counts! 73% of Indigenous' water systems are at
high or medium risk of contamination.
A Droplet by Virtue of an Article
174 unsafe drinking 618 Indigenous
The world’s 3rd largest water advisories in communities do not
freshwater reserves over 100 Indigenous have access to clean
communities drinking water
The website article written by Sena Yenilmez gives an
overview of the water crisis affecting many Indigenous
communities across Canada. It highlights the
government’s failure on the “lack of clean, safe drinking
water in the First Nations communities, which is one of
the greatest violations of the United Nations human
rights to water and sanitation.” With a neutral gray
background, this evokes feelings of sorrow and sadness
for the Indigenous peoples who have to live through such
misery and makes viewers feel empathy for them.
A Droplet for “The Story of Grassy Narrows”
This short documentary film, directed by François Péloquin, focuses on a community called Grassy
Narrows, where most residents have been poisoned by mercury from exposure to the contaminated
waters. The Former Grassy Narrows Chief, Mr. Steve Forbister expressed that “It's hard to imagine
something we cherished and honored for the last 10,000 years can turn on us. But it's an industrial nation
that has changed that.” It is a harrowing and grievous sentiment felt generally by the Indigenous peoples,
shown from the varying camera angles in interview format, a birds-eye view of the river and community,
and the views of the degrading water treatment facility.
A Droplet Through an “Indigenous Issue”
A podcast episode called “Canada’s Indigenous Water Crisis” discusses
the impacts of contaminated water on the health, economical, and
spirituality of Indigenous peoples. She also highlights colonization as
the root cause of water contamination from industrialization and
systemic racism. She ends by calling for more funding from the
government to build a new water treatment plant and implement strict
bylaws on the industry to combat water pollution. A strong tone of
voice accompanied by a powerful background music are some
techniques used to leave the audience with hope that a working solution
is there for the government to kill this crisis, and in the meantime, let us
advocate her call to help the affected Indigenous communities!
A Droplet over a Newspaper Print
This news article written by Tanya Talaga
titled “What will it take for Canada to
address the water crises in Indigenous
communities?” believes that a boil-water
advisory is not a real solution to solve the
water crisis.
While news of a water crisis is clear, the government prefers to put a blind
eyes and do nothing. It is not until a band councilor Sylvia Metatawabin
went on a hunger strike and said “Let’s hope others need not starve
themselves nearly to death just for Canadians and their leaders finally to
pay attention,” that finally brought the government back in looking at the
water issue.
This gives audiences the urge to advocate and fight for our fair rights
until the injustice is addressed, sparked from a compelling picture that
showcases Indigenous children playing around in polluted water.
It incorporates good use of camera angles and lighting to expose and
zoom-in to the waters, the focus object to enlighten change.
A Droplet for ALL to Share
Truth and Reconciliation is the only way moving forward to
permanently solve the water crisis that has been affecting
Indigenous communities for decades. While the government
has to be the driving force to commit a tangible solution, let
us not forget to do more to help the Indigenous peoples in
any small and meaningful way.
We can donate, advocate, volunteer, and remember that
every single droplet of water being saved is as precious
as every single life saved on the Indigenous peoples.
