KOW III:
Water is Boss

Elders and Youth Resolution

Whereas: The Elders and Youth have met in a duly convened meeting at the Keepers of the Water III (Fort Chipewyan) and have reviewed the resolutions from the Fort Smith “Water is Life” Gathering and spoke to them in an open forum;

Whereas: The Elders and Youth again clearly expressed their full support for the resolutions from Fort Smith;

Whereas: Indigenous peoples have a longstanding relationship with the land, which is supported by Section 35 of the Constitution Act (1982) and our water is sacred and essential to life but is in great jeopardy.

Whereas: First Nations, Metis, Inuit and other citizens of the Arctic Watershed came together at Keepers of the Water II and resolved to build an Arctic Basin watershed alliance that would implement the Keepers of the Water Declaration and Principles;

Whereas: The Keepers of the Athabasca and the Keepers of the Water Saskatchewan have begun to implement the Keepers of the Water Declaration and Principles and can provide examples of how this can be successfully accomplished;

Be It Resolved: That the Elders and the youth call on the leadership, that is the chiefs and Councils of the Arctic drainage basin, to review and act on the resolutions from Fort Simpson, Fort Smith and Fort St. John Gatherings.

Leadership Resolution I: Unity and solidarity in asserting our rights

…We therefore resolve to:

• initiate legal action to assert our rights;

• build unity between our communities, and to engage with other leaders to further strengthen this unity;

• work in solidarity with organizations that support these goals.

Unanimous agreement, FN Leadership at Keepers of the Water III Gathering

Leadership Resolution II: Location of the Keepers of the Water IV

Whereas Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Aikatcho Treaty 8, Athabasca, Fort St. John and Fort Chipewyan have hosted water gatherings;

Whereas we the delegates of Keepers of the Water III are united collectively in continuing to pressure governments and industries to act responsibly to Mother Earth;

Therefore be it resolved that the First Nations of Saskatchewan consider hosting the Keepers of the Water IV Gathering.

Vice Grand Chief Don Deranger of the Prince Albert Grand Council announced that Keepers of the Water Saskatchewan will host Keepers of the Water IV Gathering in Saskatchewan, summer 2009.