Water in Crisis: A Student Inquiry in Water Challenges in Winnipeg by Baljit Kaur

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this project is to advocate for urgent policy reform to protect Manitoba’s

freshwater systems by addressing nutrient runoff, chemical contamination, and outdated

wastewater infrastructure as we are sharing water with other species too. Through a student-

driven petition, the project aims to influence provincial leaders to strengthen water protection laws, support cleanup of polluted sites, and integrate Indigenous water stewardship practices. This initiative seeks to ensure clean, safe, and sustainable water for all Manitobans, while preserving ecological integrity and honouring treaty rights.

Participants

The project is conducted by students from high school in Winnipeg. The participants will be youth from different backgrounds, especially those who live near the affected water bodies such as the Red River and those who are concerned with water justice. The students will be supported by teachers, Indigenous Elders, local scientists and community leaders as mentors and collaborators.

Place

The research focuses on water problems that affect Winnipeg city and its adjacent residential areas. The main local factors involve water quality problems in the Red River and Lake Winnipeg together with combined sewer overflows and stormwater management and

urbanization effects on water systems. Students need to study how these problems relate to environmental racism and Indigenous rights and public health issues.

Summary

Students will choose focus areas such as pollution in the Red River, wastewater issues, or impacts of climate change on Winnipeg’s water system. They will conduct fieldwork (e.g., visiting stormwater ponds or sewage treatment plants), interview local experts, and consult with Indigenous knowledge keepers. Findings will be compiled into creative and research-based outputs — including posters, videos, essays, or digital maps.

The project will culminate in a community presentation and a written petition to the Premier of Manitoba, advocating for stronger water protections, equitable infrastructure investment, and Indigenous water governance within Winnipeg.

This initiative seeks to build broad community support through partnerships with environmental organizations like the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, collaboration with Indigenous-led water stewards, and educational outreach in schools and municipalities. The project emphasizes the integration of Indigenous knowledge and treaty rights into provincial water governance, ensuring equitable and sustainable stewardship.

By influencing Manitoba’s Premier and Minister of Environment and Climate, the project aims to transform Manitoba’s 2022 Water Management Strategy into binding policy action. The Project will include a petition, community engagement, and media advocacy to ensure water systems are protected for future generations, supporting ecological health, public safety, and economic sustainability in tourism and fishing industries. Through citizen action and government accountability, the project envisions a Manitoba where clean, accessible water is a shared priority and responsibility.

This inquiry will equip students to view water as both a local and global issue, encouraging

lifelong environmental awareness and leadership rooted in their own community.