C hiefs of Ontario Director of Environment Kathleen Padulo is propelled by her passion for environmental issues and fueled by a sense of respon- sibility to fight the injustice of environ- mental racism against First Nations. As part of the first generation who wasn’t stolen from her family and forced into the residential school system, she feels her education was a great privilege that has helped her find a niche where her work can make a lasting impact. Communication is at the heart of her role with the Chiefs of Ontario. Padulo is tireless in her efforts to keep the Chiefs of Ontario’s 133 First Nations communities informed of the Government’s environmental poli- cies that would impact their treaty rights, of funding opportunities, and of forums where their voices can be heard. Concentrating on priorities and bound by resolutions the Chiefs pass in assem- blies that meet twice a year, she leads a team that has recently grown from two to five staff to undertake research, develop strategy and advocate on behalf of the people they serve. In 2015 Padulo was approached by Human Rights Watch (HRW) to help them investigate the water crisis currently facing Canada’s First Nations. They focused on Ontario, where water advisories affect almost 40 per cent of reserves and some advisories have persisted for over a decade. COO STAFF PROFILE “If Toronto was ever issued a boil water advisory, it is safe to say the issue would be dealt with immediately,” Padulo said. “There are reserves where generations have grown up without ever being able to drink tap water at home.” Padulo connected HRW Senior Researcher Amanda Klasing to Chiefs, Elders and women who could advise on traditional protocols with respect to water. A water and sanitation survey of 99 households and 11 qualitative interviews was collected into a damning report titled “Make it Safe. Canada’s Obligation to End the First Nations Water Crisis,” published on June 7, 2016. “Water safety affects everyone in a community, but the responsibility and the work falls disproportionately on the women who are our caregivers,” Padulo said. “When you take into account the cultural significance of water and women’s traditional role as keepers and protectors of water and givers of life, the issue becomes that much more life-threatening.” In February 2016, Padulo and a team from HRW accompanied and supported nine First Nations women from communities across Ontario on a trip to Geneva to tell the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) that filthy water is making their families sick and undermining their spiritual relationship with water. “It was phenomenal to see the process in action,” Padulo said. “The women gave such a powerful testimony. Bringing them before the UN elevates the issue, and the rapporteurs will put pressure on Canada to address the systemic challenges that have allowed the water advisories to happen and continue for so long. I feel honored that COO was involved and that I could contribute.” Before her work with COO, Padulo worked with Lura Consulting and with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Her national government experience is a great asset in working effectively and building relationships with all levels of government now. Her own future goals include strengthening procedures and legislation around including Indigenous traditional knowledge in environmental assessment. “Chiefs of Ontario’s Environment Unit coordinated the development of an environmental assessment toolkit with the expertise of Elders, women, tech- nicians and educators, and we’re very proud of that work,” Padulo said. “Inte- grating traditional knowledge promotes understanding and collaboration across the board. It would be such a positive way to move forward.” Staff Profile: Kathleen Padulo Director of Environment SUMMER/WINTER 2018/19 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine   82  l