Carl Yates, CEO, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority, Ep.8

Carl Yates is leading an organization that has made history as the first Indigenous water utility in Canada.
Once complete, the AFNWA will assume responsibility for water and wastewater services for as many as 4,500 households and businesses located in up to 17 participating First Nations. This represents approximately 60% of the on-reserve population of First Nation communities in Atlantic Canada.
In recent months, AFNWA has been collaborating with FNII and Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia on water and wastewater infrastructure needs for new residential and commercial development.

With a service approach based on social, economic, and environmental outcomes, AFNWA will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and capital upgrades of all water and wastewater assets in participating First Nations. AFNWA’s Board currently consists of nine (9) First Nations Chiefs and is chaired by Chief Wilbert Marshall of Potlotek.

AFNWA will apply First Nations traditional knowledge and culture emphasizing environmental stewardship, the spiritual aspects of water, and Two–Eyed Seeing. “Two–Eyed Seeing”, as defined by Albert Marshall Sr., “is an approach to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and to see from the other eye with the strengths of Western ways of knowing, and to use both of these eyes together.”

Elders play crucial roles in Indigenous communities, as First Nations have both formal and informal leadership. To ensure AFNWA always aligns with First Nations values, culture and knowledge, Elders will guide the Board through an advisory committee. The Elders Advisory Lodge (EAL) consists of five (5) Elders approved by the Board, with regional representation

AFNWA’s participating communities currently include:

New Brunswick

• Elsipogtog
• Esgenoôpetitj
• Kingsclear
• Oromocto
• Tobique
• St. Mary’s

Prince Edward Island

• Abegweit
• Lennox Island

Nova Scotia

• Acadia
• Eskasoni
• Glooscap
• Membertou
• Millbrook
• Paqtnkek
• Pictou Landing
• Potlotek
• Sipekne’katik
• We’koqma’q
• Wagmatcook

LINKS:
Atlantic First Nations Water Authority website
Email: [email protected]
First Nations Infrastructure Institute website
Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation website