Announcements

Yesterday the David Suzuki Foundation released a report on the state of drinking water in Canada’s First Nations. The report argued that a change of approach is needed if the federal government is going to fulfill its promise to lift all boil water advisories in First Nations within five years. However, the report also singled Read the article >>

Dryden, ON – The Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario (AWWAO) and Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) have entered into a formal partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to address First Nations water and wastewater issues across Ontario. A signing ceremony for the MOU was held at the Keewaytinook Centre of Excellence on October 12, Read the article >>

DRYDEN, ON - The Safe Water Project, an initiative of Keewaytinook Okimakanak that helps Indigenous communities access safe drinking water, will expand to an additional 14 Ontario First Nations this year due to a $4.148 million investment by the federal government. Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, alongside Member of Parliament for Kenora Read the article >>

July 12-14, 2016 - Niagara Falls Our representatives from Keewaytinook Okimakanak were pleased to attend the Assembly of First Nations’ 37th General Assembly. At the Trade Show, we presented information about our many initiatives, including the Safe Water Project. We even got a visit from the Honourable Carolyn Bennett! The Chiefs of KO look forward Read the article >>

Toronto, ON - Six First Nations Chiefs were honoured with a Water’s Next Award last night at a gala in Toronto. The award recognizes the Chiefs’ work on the Safe Water Project, which has been successful in eliminating boil water advisories in Indigenous communities. The Water’s Next Awards are presented by Water Canada, and celebrate Read the article >>

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak are thrilled to nominees for the 2016 Water’s Next Awards. Established by Water Canada Magazine, Water’s Next is an annual, national award program honouring companies, organizations and individuals who “successfully work to change water in our country.” The Chiefs wish their fellow nominees luck and look forward to attending the gala in Toronto Read the article >>

To download this press release as a PDF, click here. March 30, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Keewaytinook Okimakanak applauds federal government investments to end boil water advisories Funding commitments align with areas of critical need, Chiefs say Dryden, ON - Keewaytinook Okimakanak supports the Government of Canada’s financial commitments contained in Budget 2016 to eliminate Read the article >>

Keewaytinook Okimakanak will be part of a panel event on March 22, 2026 for World Water Day and Canada Water Week held by the Canadian Water Resources Association. The panel is called “Water and Jobs: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions.” Keewaytinook Okimakanak Public Works Manager Barry Strachan will join the panel of experts in a discussion moderated Read the article >>

In its Final Report, the Standing Committee on Finance recommends that the government fund the Safe Water Project: “The federal government, in seeking to ensure that the water in Indigenous communities is safe, consider funding for initiatives that have been successful in improving access to clean, safe drinking water. In particular, such initiatives as the Read the article >>

In December 2015 the Assembly of First Nations passed Resolution 65-2015 in support of the Safe Water Project. The Assembly agreed that the Safe Water Project “has proven to be effective in eliminating short, medium and long-term boil water advisories, and in strengthening the capacity of and empowering First Nations communities to manage their water Read the article >>