Answer the following survey AFTER we watch the first section of the film:

Canadian Water Resource Issues Research Project

Despite having one of the largest supplies of fresh water in the world, there are many Canadians living without access to safe, clean water that they can use for drinking, cooking, bathing, etc., while the rest of us wash our cars and water the lawn with clean drinking water.

The issues with access to clean drinking water are complicated, but there is a widespread problem that needs to be looked at and dealt with.

According to our Federal Government, there are currently 32 long-term drinking water advisories in effect right now, affecting 28 communities.

The government site with official info is here: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1506514143353/1533317130660

They have more information here: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1614385724108/1614385746844

You can find a map of the affected communities here: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1620925418298/1620925434679

There is a list of the communities with more info here: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1562856509704/1562856530304#man

There are even more advisories that the federal government is not responsible for: https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1516134315897/1533663683531

More information from the First Nations Health Authority: https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/environmental-health/drinking-water-advisories

A good source of information not provided by the government is this site: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/52a5610cca604175b8fb35bccf165f96

Your assignment:

On your own or with a partner, pick one of the communities that currently does not have access to safe and clean drinking water and tell us about it. You can’t research a community that another person/group has chosen, so you have to let me know ASAP which community you would like to tell us about. Choose wisely! Some communities may be easier to find information about than others! In general, you could probably say that larger communities will be easier to research than small ones, but not always.

Once you’ve chosen a community (and made sure that you can find good information about it), TELL ME which community you’ve chosen.

Then put together a presentation, poster, video, or some other way of explaining the issue in your chosen community. You’ll have to answer things like:

• Where is it (province, area, close to what, distance from nearest major city, etc.)?
• How many people live there?
• What type of problem do they have with the water there? Explain the type of advisory in effect.
• What would happen if they drank the water as it is? What types of health issues would it cause?
• Find any stories or information you can about what life is like in that community and give us an idea what it’s like to live there.
• Where are they getting their water from right now? How? Do they have to pay for it?
• Is there an obvious solution or way to fix the problem? What is it? What options do they have?
• What is being done to fix the problem or provide access to water in the future?
• What has the government promised to do? Are these issues covered by Treaty Agreements?

You’ll have to consult more than one source of information. You will have to do some creative googling. You may even find YouTube videos or blogs or stories on social media from people living in the community and use those. Keep track of your sources, because you will have to include a list.

You will also have to explain your own opinions and thoughts about the issue. It’s a complicated one. Some people will say that everyone deserves access to water, while others will say that it’s too expensive to provide services to small, remote communities. Include a well thought out response, addressing both sides of the issue.

NOTES

ASSIGNMENT 1

Resources for part 2:

Library Membersip sign up (temporary/limited)

Press Reader

Part 2: Find a local or regional issue with geographic implications that is discussed in the media. Press Reader is an excellent source, but you could consult other newspapers, television, radio, podcasts, and website articles. It would be wise to show me your article before you start to make sure you’re on the right track and the article will work for the assignmet.

Possible issues could include a land use debate, a transportation issue, an environmental concern, a construction site, or a weather phenomenon. Choose an article about this issue and carefully read/understand it. After reading/viewing/listening and understanding the message in the article/piece, fill out the article analysis graphic organizer HERE