1. First Nations Clean Water Initiative – Atlantic Region
AFN National Housing & Infrastructure Forum
James MacKinnon – Policy Analyst – Team Leader, Housing & Infrastructure, Atlantic Policy Congress
Dr. Graham Gagnon – Director, Centre of Water Resource Studies, Dalhousie University
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

2. What is the Water Authority?
The Water Authority aims to improve public health/safety for First Nations through safer water and wastewater management.
The Water Authority will be a First Nation organization, constructed, owned and operated by First Nations. The Water Authority will not be a political organization.  It will be a technical organization focused on the provision of water and wastewater services.
The Water Authority will be a legal corporation and it will be run as a non-profit business.
It will be owned and led by the First Nations participating in the project.
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

3. Corporate Structuring for AFNWA - Overview
APC released an RFP on January 19, 2017
APC awarded contract to Halifax Water/Accelerator on February 14, 2017
Final report completed August 8, 2017
Scope of work included:
Outreach and engagement
Develop four corporate structure alternatives for AFNWA
Cost/Benefit analysis for each corporate structure
Preliminary report to present at May 24/17 Leaders Workshop
Final draft report to present at July 10/17 Leaders Workshop
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

4. Outreach and Engagement
Water Forum [March 15 & 16, 2017]
Chiefs/Mayor’s Meeting [April 27, 2017]
Elders Meeting [May 1, 2017]
National Survey [April 21, 2017 to May 19, 2017]
First Nation Leaders Workshop [May 24, 2017]
Operator Workshop [June 27, 2017]
Elders Meeting [July 5, 2017]
First Nation Leaders Workshop [July 10, 2017]
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

5. Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Water
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

6. Core Elements of Atlantic First Nation Water Authority
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

7. Governance Overview
The AFNWA will be governed by a 15 member Board of Directors; 12 First Nation representatives and 3 technical experts.
The Elders have recommended that the First Nation directors be selected using a skills matrix so the Board has the best directors around the table.
The Elders have recommended an active Elders Advisory Council who will engage with the AFNWA to ensure that traditional values and culture are incorporated in the day to day operations.
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

8. Key Recommendations
Adopt a full service – decentralized structure for the AFNWA incorporating a hub and spoke approach for regional operations for optimal service delivery and stronger community relationships.
Locate the main office of the AFNWA within the service corridor between Halifax and Moncton in a First Nation community to maximize local benefits and strengthen relationships.
Once the decision is made to operationalize the AFNWA, contract with a professional search organization to hire the CEO and senior managers to ensure top talent is retained.
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

9. Key Recommendations
Efforts should be made to hire all staff within one year after the decision is made to operationalize the AFNWA, with a clear preference to hire from First Nation communities.
The AFNWA should adopt a formal training and development program for all staff employed by the AFNWA.
Local operators should be hired wherever possible with an immediate focus on training and certification.
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

10. Key Recommendations
Human Resource strategies should recognize the experience and knowledge of staff currently employed in water and wastewater system operations and take a consistent approach to salaries, benefits, training and career development.
Communications and outreach are central to the success of the AFNWA and full efforts must be made to engage communities in an open and transparent manner.
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

11. Full Service Decentralized
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)

12. Full Service – Decentralized [FSD]

13. First Nation Communities & Proposed Service Regions for FSD AlternativeMO
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC)