Bridging Science and Sovereignty: Indigenous-Led Water Monitoring in Arctic and Prairie Communities

Dr. Dave Atkinson has spent more than 25 years helping protect water and the environment in Canada's northern and remote communities. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, the founder of the Polar Regions Spatial & Environmental Analysis Lab (PolarSEAL), and an Executive Member of Urban Water TMU. Through his work, he combines research with practical solutions to improve water quality and environmental health.

Since beginning his work in northern Canada in 1999, Dr. Atkinson has worked closely with communities across the High Arctic, including Inuit communities, to improve access to safe drinking water and better understand the impacts of climate change. His approach is based on working alongside Indigenous communities, listening to their priorities, and developing solutions together.

A major part of his work is helping communities build their own environmental monitoring programs. He supports local teams in testing water quality, studying watersheds, and tracking environmental changes over time. He also helped create local water testing labs in Nunavut communities such as Pond Inlet and Baker Lake, making it easier for residents to test for bacteria like E. coli and total coliform without relying on distant laboratories. Similar monitoring programs have also been developed with First Nations communities in Saskatchewan, including Pheasant Rump Nakota, Muskowekwan, Kawacatoose, and Day Star.

Dr. Atkinson is also passionate about building local skills and leadership. He has trained more than a dozen Indigenous youth in water monitoring and laboratory testing, giving communities the knowledge and tools to manage their own water resources. He also contributed to the design of a $1.08 million Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions project funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, helping ensure communities could lead and manage their own environmental initiatives.

His work also supports Indigenous-Led Area-Based Conservation by providing reliable environmental data that communities can use to guide land-use planning, conservation, and decision-making. This collaborative approach has been widely recognized, and Dr. Atkinson was invited to present this work alongside First Nations leaders at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), highlighting the importance of community-led environmental stewardship.

Recently, Dr. Atkinson was selected as a Finalist for the Water Steward of the Year Award, a prestigious award bestowed by Water Canada to those showing exemplary commitment to preserving the health and integrity of Canada’s water resources. Urban Water is incredibly proud of Dave's work and congratulates him on this recognition from Water Canada.