Congratulations to EDGES alumna Rosie Simms for the outstanding Master’s thesis award! The Freda Pagani Award have been endowed by family and friends for graduate students in Resource Management and Environmental Studies (RMES) for outstanding thesis work. Rosie did her Master’s work under the supervision of Leila Harris on water governance in First Nations communities in British Columbia. Her thesis a provides a timely and relevant commentary on the contested realities of First Nations’ engagement in colonial water governance in the province. Her insights suggest that while there is growing recognition that First Nations have a legitimate place at the center of water governance in British Columbia, the collaborative watershed planning approach adopted in the Water Sustainability Act falls well short of adopting the necessary steps towards full Indigenous water governance or water co-governance. Existing colonial water governance challenges and failures are not likely to be addressed by a collaborative watershed planning approach. Overall, this thesis suggests that the transition to more effective and just water governance in British Columbia includes observation of Aboriginal rights and title, commitment to relationship and trust building, and capacity development for colonial and First Nations governments.

Rosie’s thesis is available online HERE.

Congrats Rosie and best of luck in your future endeavors!