YELLOWKNIFE (March 22, 2013) – The Sambaa K’e Dene Band is winner of the first Council of the Federation (COF) Excellence in Water Stewardship Award for the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice and in leadership in the area water stewardship and is presented to organizations, partnerships, business, institutions and communities in each province and territory.

“Congratulations to the Sambaa K’e Dene Band, Chief Dolphus Jumbo and the people of Trout Lake for promoting and practicing water stewardship at a local level,” said Premier Bob McLeod in announcing the winners of the award today, World Water Day. “This is an excellent example of what communities can do to protect their local water resources and encourage water stewardship activities.”

The Sambaa K’e Dene Band collected old drums of hazardous materials from the community landfill.  Forty-four drums, containing 8,000 litres of hazardous liquids, were shipped to a registered hazardous waste facility for disposal.    The used oil and flammable liquids in the rusty drums had the potential to leak into the ground and groundwater and, eventually, into Trout Lake.  Trout Lake is the source of the community’s drinking water.

The Band is planning other activities to manage contaminants in the community and protect their source water.

For more information, contact:
Brenda Norris
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Email: brenda_norris@gov.nt.ca