About the Event Securing safe water for all First Nations.
Building upon the dialogue from the 5th National Water Symposium: “Our Water, Our Way: Charting a Path to Water Sovereignty”, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is hosting an in-person Water Symposium and Trade Show focused on addressing important water-related issues facing First Nations.
Access to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation is more important than ever, given the uncertainty facing First Nations with respect to drinking water and wastewater.
Legislation, questions around sustainable funding, long-term transfer of care and control, and the implications of a new national water agency continue to be important issues to First Nations.
Compared to most Canadians, access to safe, clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right that too many First Nations still don’t have.
Call for Presenters
The AFN is undertaking a Call for Presenters process with a deadline of January 13, 2023; if you are interested in presenting on a topic related the Conference theme, consult the Call for Presentations PDF.
Who Should Attend
- Chiefs and Councillors or their representatives
- Public Works Managers
- First Nations water and wastewater operators, and individuals who are working in the field of water and wastewater management.
- First Nations organizations and technicians interested in improving the ways water and wastewater infrastructure is understood, managed and delivered.
- Consultants, industry, academia and other non-governmental entities involved or interested in First Nations water issues.
Symposium Overview
The Symposium topics will include:
- Traditional Knowledge approaches to stewarding and protecting our waters, including the management of drinking water and wastewater
- First Nations-centered and shared practices in the management of drinking water and wastewater
- First Nations rights-based approaches to water management and protection
- Drinking water and wastewater standards, policies, and protocols through a First Nations lens
- Shared practices in drinking water and wastewater management and training opportunities
- Addressing water quality issues and drinking water advisories
- Climate change impacts on water quality and quantity, and impacts on drinking water and wastewater
- Health aspects of water including well-being and quality of life
Agenda Symposium Program
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 pm | Symposium Pre-Registration open |
|
| 6:00 pm | Welcome Reception |
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 am | Symposium Registration open |
|
| 8:00 am | Trade Show open |
|
| 9:00 am | Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions |
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Symposium Registration open |
|
| 8:00 am | Trade Show open |
|
| 9:00 am | Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions |
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Trade Show |
|
| 9:00 am | Panel Presentations, Workshop Sessions, Closing Plenary |
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Registration
Pre-Registration
Pre-register now. You could win an iPad Mini!
All delegates who register before January 18, 2023, and attend the conference will be eligible to enter a draw for an iPad mini!
Please register for the Conference at the following links:
Contact Information
If you need assistance registering online, please contact our Registration Coordinator: Tash Cote at [email protected].
For general information on the 2023 Water Symposium, contact us at [email protected].
Travel
Indigeno Travel is the preferred travel agency of the AFN. Indigeno Travel is Indigenous-owned, and its service comes complete with conference discounts, 24/7 emergency service for unforeseen flight changes, and a dedicated agent for personalized service. Please contact Indigeno, toll-free at 1-888-202-8262, or by email at [email protected] to make your flight arrangements.
Flight Discounts
Air Canada
Please visit www.aircanada.com to make a booking online using the promotion code FEU4MX91.
Applicable Rules:
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Calgary (YYC), Alberta.
- The travel period begins January 31, 2023, and ends February 16, 2023.
- For North America, 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel, 10% on standard fares & higher.
- However, all bookings made using the promotion code will count toward the minimum 10-passenger requirement for Meetings and Conventions events.
Westjet
For the upcoming AFN 6th Annual Water Symposium and Trade Show, Westjet can offer 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada and 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border.
To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed below. Please visit westjet.com to make a booking online.
- Coupon Code (Guest Web/Agent Web): 8N1H0ID
- Promo Code (Travel agent GDS only): WNP06
Applicable Rules:
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Calgary
- The travel period begins: January 31, 2023
- The travel period ends: February 16, 2023
- No discount will apply to Basic or Business class bookings
Hotel Accommodations
Our host hotel for the Symposium is the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel at 110 – 9th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB. The room rate is $211/night plus applicable taxes.
Important: Hotel rooms at the conference venue are limited. Please note when making your hotel guestroom reservations, there will be a one-night non-refundable charge. We ask for your understanding as this is done to avoid attrition costs for the rooms being held for the host organization.
- Book your group rate for AFN 6th Annual Water Symposium
- To book your room by phone, please call 1-800-228-9290 or direct to the hotel at 403-266-7331 and request the AFN Water Symposium group rate.
Deadline:
Room rate available only until Friday January 20, 2023.
Symposium Trade Show
Please note that a limited number of Trade Show booths are available for the Symposium. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your water and infrastructure-related products and interact with First Nations leadership from across Canada, water technicians, Public Works department staff, other First Nation infrastructure technicians, consultants, Government officials and non-government organizations, and academia with interest in First Nation water and wastewater issues.
Note that Booths are available on a first-come, first-served basis based on when the registration forms come in.
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
We invite you to become a sponsor of the 6th Annual Water Symposium and Trade Show; Symposium attendees will include First Nations leadership from across Canada, water technicians, public works department staff, other First Nations infrastructure technicians, consultants, Government officials and non-government organizations and academia with interest in First Nations water and wastewater issues.
There are several sponsorship opportunities; more information can be found in our sponsorship package.