NWT Water Stewardship: A Plan for Action

NWT Water Stewardship: A Plan for Action 2011-2015 The NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan outlines how the Water Stewardship Strategy will be implemented, and reflects the needs and interests of NWT residents.  It identifies the key components central to the successful implementation of the Strategy such as transboundary water agreement negotiations, community-based monitoring and a collaborative partnership approach to all implementation.

NWT Water Stewardship: A Plan for Action 2011-2015  builds upon the multi-year Water Stewardship Strategy and is the result of multiple water partner meetings, public input, and multi-agency workshops.  It represents the interests of the GNWT, Aboriginal governments, environmental non-government organizations, regulatory bodies, industry, Federal Government Departments, NWT residents and interested parties across the North. 

Water is a critical component of cultural, spiritual, economic and social well-being for residents of the NWT, particularly Aboriginal peoples.

Water stewardship is a responsibility shared by many parties. Aboriginal, territorial and federal governments, regional organizations, communities, environmental non-governmental organizations, co-management boards and agencies, industry and residents all play an important role in ensuring water resources in the NWT remain healthy today and into the future.

The commitment from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Indian and Northern affairs Canada (INAC) to develop a made-in-the-North water strategy to guide the use and management of NWT water resources stemmed from:

• Aboriginal peoples and northern residents concerns for water resource management;
• Increasing water-related pressures from industrial development and transboundary influences;
• Climate change; and
• A changing global economy.

Multiple gatherings, discussions and workshops were held with water partners to help determine the key elements that should be included in the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, and how related actions (keys to success) can be effectively implemented across the NWT.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

• Fall 2006 – Keepers of the Water I discussions focus on growing concerns about pressures on NWT waters, in neighbouring jurisdictions and transboundary and bilateral negotiations concerning the Mackenzie River Basin.

• March 2007 – Members of the 15th Legislative Assembly pass a motion for the basic human right to water.

• 2007 – At the Aboriginal Leaders Forum, the GNWT announces it will undertake an initiative to develop an NWT water resources management strategy.
 
• September 2007 - Keepers of the Water II and Waterwise discussions focus on water resource management.

• June 2008 – Northern Voices, Northern Waters: Towards a Water Resources Management Strategy for the Northwest Territories, a discussion paper on developing a water resource strategy is released by the GNWT and INAC.  The paper is based on the “northern voice” heard at water gatherings and from the broader public.

• Summer 2008 to Fall 2008 - Presentations on the discussion paper are made at Aboriginal assemblies and water conferences, notably Keepers of the Water III (August) and the Dene National Environment and Water Summit (November).  Copies of the discussion paper are distributed to Aboriginal governments, communities, co-management boards, agencies, and interested parties.

• November 2008 - A steering committee made up of representatives from Aboriginal, territorial and federal gov¬ernments is formed to guide the development of a draft strategy.

• Fall 2008 to Early 2009 - extensive community leadership engagement is undertaken to discuss water stewardship in the NWT.
 

• January 2009 -  A workshop on "Vision and Principles" is held in Yellowknife. • March 2009 - A workshop on "Traditional Knowledge" is held in Hay River. • March 2009 - A workshop on "Information Management" is held in Yellowknife. • May 2009 - A workshop on "Strengthening Relationships" amongst water partners is held in Yellowknife. • June 2009 - Science in the Changing North focuses on water stewardship and the strategy is discussed. • June 2009 - Regional Rosenberg Forum (made up of international experts) peer review the water strategy discussion paper, provide input for the draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy and exchange water stewardship knowledge.

• October 2009 – A workshop on Taking Stock, reaching a shared understanding on the direction of the strategy to date, discussing best process for engagement and begin identifying implementation actions, is held in Yellowknife.

• November 2009 - the draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy is tabled in the Legislative Assembly. 

• November 2009 to March 2010 - Co-ordinated meetings and engagement activities are planned with Aboriginal governments and organizations, communities, industry, co-management boards, and other water partners on draft NWT Water Stewardship Strategy.

• May 2010 - The final version of the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy is released and tabled in the NWT Legislative Assembly.

• May 2011 - The NWT Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan 2011-2015 is released and tabled in the NWT Legislative Assembly.