(June 21, 2026 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, Ontario) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak marked National Indigenous Peoples Day by honouring the cultures, languages, histories, and contributions of First Nations Peoples, and calling on Canada to move beyond symbolic gestures to action by fulfilling its commitments to reconciliation and First Nations self-determination.
“National Indigenous Peoples Day is a celebration of our Peoples, cultures, and Nations, but it must also be a day of accountability,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Reconciliation cannot be accomplished by announcements and promises. It is achieved through quality schools for First Nations children, safe housing for First Nations families, clean drinking water for First Nations communities, and First Nations exercising their inherent rights to govern their lands, waters, and futures. When we see these changes from coast to coast to coast, we will know we are making progress.”
More than a decade after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, First Nations continue to face unacceptable disparities in access to clean drinking water, housing, education, healthcare, transportation, and community infrastructure. Access to clean drinking water, for example, is a fundamental human right recognized under international law. While governments have repeatedly committed to reconciliation, many First Nations still face conditions that would be unacceptable anywhere else in Canada.
“Clean drinking water is a human right, and it is an obligation for governments to honour that right for everyone, including First Nations,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “First Nations are forced to fight for a right that most Canadians take for granted. The federal government has both a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that every First Nation has access to clean drinking water. This requires long-term funding, support for operations and maintenance, protection of source waters, and recognition of First Nations jurisdiction over water governance.”
The National Chief acknowledged the introduction of Bill C-37, The First Nations Clean Water Act, and the government’s commitment to address the concerns raised by First Nations. Legislation alone, however, cannot resolve the legacy of chronic underfunding that has left many First Nations without access to safe and reliable water systems. Drinking water and related systems are one manifestation of the massive infrastructure gap between First Nations and other Canadians, which includes housing, schools, roads, emergency infrastructure, connectivity, climate resilience and more.
“A commitment by Canada to work with First Nations to close the infrastructure gap would be truly worth celebrating on National Indigenous Peoples Day,” said National Chef Woodhouse Nepinak. “It is a nation-building project and an investment in our shared future. We are not asking for special treatment. We are calling for equity and respect for our rights and our people. We must all commit to strong First Nations and a strong Canada.”
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
For more information, please contact:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
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