Water is a Human Right: the Westpark Leadership Club

by Sarah Zaslov, CAPDA & Westpark Leaders

Some schools across the board have taken part in a Water is a Human Right project. This project, led by CAPDA Sarah Zaslov, addresses the water crisis still being faced by many Indigenous communities across Canada.

Students learned about what has caused so much of the water to be unsafe for human use and about Water Warriors, Josephine Mandamin and Autumn Peltier. After being inspired by their commitment to action, our students have also created images, messages, and letters to share with the Canadian government.

What does “water is a human right” mean to you?

I think it means that every person should have access to clean and safe water no matter where they live or how much money they have. Water is something people need to survive, so everyone should have it.

Why is clean water important?

Clean water is important because people need it to drink, cook, clean, and stay healthy. Without clean water, people can get very sick.

How would your life change if you didn’t have clean water?

My life would change a lot because I would not be able to drink safely, shower, or wash things properly. I would probably worry every day about getting sick.

Should everyone have access to safe water? Why?

Yes, because water is necessary for survival. It would not be fair if some people had clean water while others did not. No one should grow up not having access to clean water, or thinking that it’s okay to not have clean water in their home.

Did you know some Indigenous communities in Canada have had long-term drinking water advisories?

Yes, and I was surprised to learn that some communities have dealt with this problem for many years. I think it is unfair because everyone should have safe drinking water.