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.
The AFN’s 6th Annual Water Symposium’s theme will be Securing Safe Water for All 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.
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
All activities will be taking place at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre, 136 – 8th Avenue, Calgary, Alberta.
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
Symposium Program
Monday, February 6, 2023
4:00PM – 9:00PM
Symposium Pre-Registration open
6:00PM – 9:00PM
Welcome Reception
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
7:30AM – 5:00PM
Symposium Registration open
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Trade Show open
9:00AM – 5:00PM
Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Symposium Registration open
8:00AM – 5:00PM
Trade Show open
9:00AM – 5:00PM
Plenaries, Panel Presentations and Workshop Sessions
Thursday, February 9, 2023
8:00AM – 1:00PM
Trade Show
9:00AM – 2:00PM
Panel Presentations, Workshop Sessions, Closing Plenary
Registration
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 Symposium at the following link:
If you need assistance registering online, please contact our Registration Coordinator: Tash Cote at [email protected].
Call for Presenters
Deadline for submissions has been extended to January 13
The AFN is undertaking a Call for Presenters process with a deadline of December 20, 2022; if you are interested in presenting on a topic related to the Symposium theme, more details can be found here:
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.
Symposium Logistics
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 listed below.
Your Air Canada 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 www.westjet.com/conventions to make a booking online.
Coupon Code (Guest Web/Agent Web): 8N1H0ID
Promo Code (Travel agent GDS only): WNP06
- 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.
- To book your room online, please go to the following link: 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.
Contact Information
Registration:
If you need assistance registering online, please contact our Registration Coordinator: Tash Cote at [email protected].
General:
For general information on the 2023 Water Symposium, contact us at [email protected]