About the Event About
Building upon the dialogue from the 6th Annual Water Symposium, “Securing Safe Water for All First Nations,” 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 water and sanitation is more important than ever given the uncertainty facing First Nations with respect to 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. In comparison to most Canadians, access to water and sanitation is a human right that too many First Nations still don’t have. The AFN’s 7th Annual Water Symposium’s theme is Bridging the Gap: First Nations Water and Wastewater Equity.
Register NowWho should attend?
Symposium delegates include First Nations leadership from across Canada, water technicians, Public Works department staff, First Nations infrastructure technicians, consultants, Government officials, non-governmental entities, and leading members of academia with an interest in First Nations water and wastewater issues.
Attention Water Operators and Operators in Training:
The AFN is hosting a one-day National Operators Forum, specifically for Water Operators and Water Operator in Training. This will be held on April 15, 2024, prior to the start of the Water Symposium. The National Operators Forum on April 15, 2024, is taking place at the same venue, and will include an important discussion on key topics of interest to First Nations Water and Wastewater Operators. Topics will include: funding and financing; issues and challenges in water and wastewater management; and, a national water and wastewater association.
When you sign up to attend the National Operators Forum and stay for the 7th Annual Water Symposium your symposium registration fee will be waived. Note that your registration for the Symposium is complimentary only when signing up also for the April 15th National Operators Forum. See the check box on the online registration page or on the registration form to sign up for this one-day event specifically for you. Please contact Alexandra Whiteduck if you have any questions: [email protected]
Agenda Symposium Program:
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am | National Operators Forum 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
| 4:00 pm | Symposium Pre-Registration Opens 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 am | Symposium Registration Opens 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
| 8:00 am | Trade Show open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
| 9:00 am | Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
| 6:00 pm | Welcome and Networking Reception 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Symposium Registration open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
| 8:00 am | Trade Show open 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
|
| 9:00 am | Plenaries, Panel Presentations, and Workshop Sessions 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Time | Session/Activity | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 am | Trade Show 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
|
| 9:00 am | Panel Presentations, Workshop Sessions, and Closing Plenary 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. |
How to Attend Find out how to register, how to get there, and where to stay.
Registration
All delegates who register before March 21, 2024, and attend the conference will be eligible to enter a draw for an iPad mini!
Please register for the Symposium at the following link:
Overview
All activities will be taking place at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, 3, Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau, Quebec.
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 management of water and wastewater
- First Nations rights-based approaches to water management and protection
- 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
Symposium Program:
Monday, April 15, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. National Operators Forum
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Symposium Pre-Registration Opens
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Symposium Registration Opens
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Trade Show open
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Welcome and Networking Reception
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Symposium Registration open
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Trade Show open
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Plenaries, Panel Presentations, and Workshop Sessions
Thursday, April 18, 2024
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Trade Show
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Panel Presentations, Workshop Sessions, and Closing Plenary
Symposium Trade Show
In the Symposium Trade Show 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-governmental entities and leading members of academia with an interest in First Nations water and wastewater issues.
There are a limited number of Trade Show booths available for the Symposium. Trade Show booths are available on a first-come-first-served basis set on when the registration forms are received.
For more information or if you have any questions about the Trade Show, please email Alexandra Whiteduck at [email protected].
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
We invite you to become a sponsor of the 7th Annual Water Symposium and Trade Show. Symposium delegates will include First Nations leadership from across Canada, water technicians, public works department staff, First Nations infrastructure technicians, consultants, government officials, non-governmental entities, and leading members of academia with an interest in First Nations water and wastewater issues. There are several sponsorship opportunities. For more information, please view the sponsorship package.
Logistics
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 listed below.
Your Air Canada promotion code: P4X8JRH1
Applicable Rules:
- The booking is to be made to the following city: Ottawa (YOW), Ontario
- The travel period begins Monday, April 8, 2024, and ends Thursday, April 25, 2024.
- Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- For North America’ 5% applies to standard fares, 10% on flex fares and higher. For International Travel’ 10% on standard fares and higher.
Hotel Accommodations
Note – Deadline Extension: Room rate available until Thursday, March 28, 2024
Our host hotel for the Symposium is the Hilton Lac Leamy, 3 Boulevard Du Casino, Gatineau, Quebec. The room rate is $239.00/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.
- To book your room online, please go to the following link:
- To book your room by phone, please call the Hilton Reservations toll free at 1-866-488-7888 requesting group code ARH.
Contact Information
If you need assistance registering online, please contact our Registration Coordinator: Tash Cote at [email protected].
For general information on the 7th Annual Water Symposium and Trade Show, contact Alexandra Whiteduck at [email protected].
Documents 7th Annual Water Symposium and Trade Show Documents
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