The First Nations Water Settlement is a historic agreement reached between the Government of Canada and a group of First Nations, who were subject to a drinking water advisory that lasted at least one year between November 20,1995 and June 20, 2021

The process, which was undertaken largely without the participation of any First Nations, will hopefully be a step towards community-directed and First Nations-led reconciliation over water.

The claims period is open for First Nations drinking water class action. You can submit a claim form for compensation under the First Nation drinking water settlement. The deadline to submit is March 7, 2023.

In this episode, Lawyer Kevin Hill will explain what Indigenous groups need to know before filling out their applications.

Kevin Hille is a partner at Olthuis - Kleer - Townshed law firm. Kevin is an experienced litigator committed to advancing Indigenous rights and is a member of the class counsel team for the first nations drinking water settlement.

On February 1, 2023 Bonaparte band members will be provided with assistance to help fill out water claim forms at the Bonaparte band hall from 9 -3pm. For more information band members can contact Sean Bennet at the band office. If you need emotional support, you can call Hope for Wellness free of charge at 1-855-242-3310

This settlement has the potential to dramatically improve the living conditions for these First Nations communities, but there are still many obstacles to overcome. It remains to be seen whether this historic decision will have a lasting impact on First Nations water systems on a broader scale in Canada.