Indigenous peoples rely on the lands and waters that surround them for survival - for food, water, medicine, shelter, transportation and art. A non-governmental organization that can effectively connect Canadian goodwill, talent and funding to the needs of Indigenous peoples catalyzes efforts towards protecting lands and waters and building sustainable communities. As the first and only First Nation-directed, nationally-focused environmental organization in Canada, CIER is uniquely qualified and ideally positioned to do so. A few statistics on the status of indigenous peoples and their lands and waters: ~ Over 1800 homes in First Nations have no potable water supply and no waste-water collection or treatment ~ Half of Canada’s First Nations children are living in poverty, triple the national average ~ About 80% of all Aboriginal communities in Canada are in forested areas ~ Indigenous peoples are the fastest growing population segment in Canada