“Without Running Water Part 2” SAMAQAN Season 3 Episode 28

First Nations residents in the Island Lake region of east central Manitoba long for a clean supply of running water and sanitation that most Canadians take for granted. They discuss the huge efforts that life without running water creates for cooking, bathing, laundry and keeping their homes clean. It isn't easy with their reliance on outdoor toilets and sanitation challenges of slop pail use for waste disposal during the winter. Although a water treatment plant was built at St. Theresa Point in 1998, it did not begin to meet the needs of this community for the term initially planned and only half the community has proper functioning running water. Those who don't are left to rely instead on deliveries of water in barrels or driving to water stations with pails to fill themselves. Water delivered in barrels develops a moldy smell over several days, and it's essential to boil water for any form of consumption or for cooking. Some residents cling to the hope that things will improve and they will eventually have a clean supply of running water and proper sanitation.

This documentary from “SAMAQAN: Water Stories” Series 3, looks deeper at water's role in culture, spirituality and life itself for North America's First Nations people.

Directed by: Kristy Assu, Michael Bourquin
Produced by: Marianne Jones, Kristy Assu, Jeff Bear