It is well known that watershed-based source water protection programs are integral to the provision of clean drinking water. However, the involvement of Indigenous communities in these programs is very limited in Canada, which has contributed to the vulnerability of Indigenous source waters to contamination. Through a partnership with an Anishinaabe community, this research aimed to identify challenges and opportunities for communities and practitioners to improve the protection of Indigenous source waters in the province of Ontario. The methodology followed the Indigenous research principles of relationship, respect, relevance, reciprocity, and responsibility. Interviews and a youth focus group were conducted with Indigenous community members and practitioners from industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government. Analysis was conducted using an iterative process to develop codes and themes in the qualitative data analysis software NVivo. Results indicated that issues with scale, jurisdiction, the concept of source water protection, representation, funding, and capacity impact efforts to protect Indigenous source waters. Hopeful recent developments and upcoming opportunities were identified, and a water protection framework for First Nation communities in Ontario was developed in partnership with an Anishinaabe water protection committee. Recommendations are provided to multiple sectors for moving forward respectfully, and effectively, towards the protection of Indigenous waters.

中文翻译：

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迈向有效的原住民水源保护：障碍、机遇和框架

众所周知，基于流域的源水保护计划是提供清洁饮用水不可或缺的一部分。然而，加拿大土著社区对这些计划的参与非常有限，这导致了土著水源水容易受到污染。通过与 Anishinaabe 社区的合作，这项研究旨在确定社区和从业者面临的挑战和机遇，以改善安大略省的土著水源保护。该方法遵循关系、尊重、相关性、互惠和责任的土著研究原则。与来自工业界、学术界、非政府组织 (NGO) 和政府的土著社区成员和从业者进行了访谈和青年焦点小组。使用迭代过程进行分析，以在定性数据分析软件 NVivo 中开发代码和主题。结果表明，规模、管辖权、源水保护概念、代表性、资金和能力等问题会影响保护土著源水的努力。确定了近期有希望的发展和即将到来的机会，并与 Anishinaabe 水资源保护委员会合作为安大略省的原住民社区制定了水资源保护框架。向多个部门提供了建议，以尊重并有效地推进土著水域的保护。源水保护的概念、代表性、资金和能力影响保护土著源水的努力。确定了近期有希望的发展和即将到来的机会，并与 Anishinaabe 水资源保护委员会合作为安大略省的原住民社区制定了水资源保护框架。向多个部门提供了建议，以尊重并有效地推进土著水域的保护。源水保护的概念、代表性、资金和能力影响保护土著源水的努力。确定了近期有希望的发展和即将到来的机会，并与 Anishinaabe 水资源保护委员会合作为安大略省的原住民社区制定了水资源保护框架。向多个部门提供了建议，以尊重并有效地推进土著水域的保护。