Media Advisory: Community gathers to hold Sacred Water Ceremony, call on federal government to take action on the water crisis that is facing so many First Nations in Canada

Victoria - Members of local First Nations, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, and BCGEU are pleased to be holding a Sacred Water Ceremony on the territory known as Lekwungen of Songhees & Esquimalt First Nations on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

The community, including politicians, federal and provincial government workers and members of the Indigenous community on Vancouver Island are coming together to raise awareness about the lack of safe drinking water in First Nations communities and to remind the Liberal government of their pledge to end boil-water advisories on First Nations reserves within the next five years.  

Access to clean and safe water is a basic human right. As of July 31 2017, there were a total of 121 First Nations under 172 drinking water advisories across Canada.

• Date: Sunday, December 10, 2017
• Time: 1PM to 4:30PM
• Location: begins at Douglas Street at Dallas Road, Victoria – full itinerary at http://bit.ly/dec-10-vic

Speakers:

• Elder Joan Morris, Songhees First Nation
• Her Honour, the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
• Elizabeth May, Leader, Green Party of Canada
• Todd Smith, A/PSAC Regional Executive Vice President, BC
• Sussanne Skidmore, BCGEU Executive Vice President
• Michael Ballard, PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples’ Circle

The Sacred Water Ceremony is co-sponsored by the Public Service Alliance of Canada National Aboriginal Peoples’ Circle, Victoria Human Rights Committee, and the British Columbia Government and Service Employees Union

Websites: psacunion.ca | thirstyforjustice.ca

For more information: Patrick Bragg, PSAC Communications