Community Clean Up (Saddle Lake First Nation)
- Location: Saddle Lake First Nation, Alberta
- Project Partners: Saddle Lake First Nation & TSAG
- Website: https://www.tsag.net/
Project Description
Unauthorized dumpsites are a common problem for many First Nation’s communities and pose a risk to the environment including source water and community health. The reasons for unauthorized dumpsites vary but are often the result of a lack of resources to properly manage waste. These may include:
Saddle Lake First Nation decided to tackle unauthorized dumpsites through a community clean up. The Source Water Protection Plan working group, with members from Public Works, Housing, Health, Human Resources Employment and Training, Fire and Rescue, ranked unauthorized dumpsites as extremely likely to negatively impact source water. The working group collaborated with the Sustainable Communities Team to create a plan to map unauthorized dumpsites, prioritize sites to be cleaned up, and inventory local resources in order to implement the plan. Resources included people, equipment, and equipment operations.
Unauthorized dumpsites are a common problem for many First Nation’s communities and pose a risk to the environment including source water and community health. The reasons for unauthorized dumpsites vary but are often the result of a lack of resources to properly manage waste. These may include:
- Lack of operations funding
- Lack of waste management infrastructure
- Lack of regulations and bylaws
- Lack of education and awareness
Saddle Lake First Nation decided to tackle unauthorized dumpsites through a community clean up. The Source Water Protection Plan working group, with members from Public Works, Housing, Health, Human Resources Employment and Training, Fire and Rescue, ranked unauthorized dumpsites as extremely likely to negatively impact source water. The working group collaborated with the Sustainable Communities Team to create a plan to map unauthorized dumpsites, prioritize sites to be cleaned up, and inventory local resources in order to implement the plan. Resources included people, equipment, and equipment operations.
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Project Results:
- Over 75 students from the Nation carried out the 2017 Summer Clean Up project.
- The program included Elders teaching youth about traditional ways of life to help them identify medicinal, ceremonial and edible plants.
- Understanding the negative impact unauthorized dumping has on local vegetation was used to educate community members at open houses and community celebrations.