Merrell-Ann Phare

Biography:

MERRELL-ANN PHARE is a lawyer and author of the books Denying the Source: The Crisis of First Nations Water Rights and Ethical Water. Merrell-Ann is legal counsel and advisor to a number of Indigenous governments, non-Indigenous governments, and organizations, and regularly speaks on topics addressing environmental issues, Aboriginal rights, and governance. 

As Founding Executive Director of the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), Merrell-Ann works to assist First Nations in addressing environmental and sustainability issues facing their communities.

She was Chief Negotiator on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories in their negotiation of transboundary water agreements in the Mackenzie River Basin and in negotiating Thaidene Nene national and territorial parks. Merrell-Ann currently serves as a Commissioner on the International Joint Commission.

Activities:

• 2023-09-20 – Changing the FLOW: The Future of Freshwater in Canada Symposium
• 2024-10-16 – Canada Water Agency Experts Roundtable
• 2025-09-25 – Ensuring the Flow: Water Security for Canada and the World

Publications:

• 2024-01-01 – The Future Of Freshwater In Canada