ASSESSING RISK TO THE SOURCE WATERS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CANADA, USA, NEW ZEALAND, AND AUSTRALIA: A SCOPING REVIEW

Multi-barrier approaches to drinking water safety have been adopted in many jurisdictions across the world as a way to ensure all populations enjoy the right to safe sources of water. One critical component of multi-barrier approaches is source water protection (SWP). SWP approaches used by colonial and post-colonial nations have often not been reflective of Indigenous community values; therefore there is a need to identify and develop SWP planning processes that are better suited for Indigenous contexts. This scoping review contributes to research on Indigenous SWP by reporting on how risk assessments (or similar evaluative tools) have been conducted on water sources accessed by Indigenous peoples. A formal scoping review process was used to identify publications in peer-reviewed sources and grey literature that describe Indigenous SWP risk assessment (or similar) processes. Analysis of the available literature was performed to report on the nature, use, outcomes, research gaps, limitations, challenges, and potential steps forward for risk assessment in Indigenous communities. This scoping review supports an ongoing SWP research project based on a partnership between the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the School of Engineering, University of Guelph. The outcomes of the scoping review are discussed, including how the results are informing the community's SWP process. The findings can be used to support Indigenous communities and their partners from government or industry who are seeking to ensure water safety and security.