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Manitoba chief meets with Pope to discuss water woes

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 03/23/2011 10:55 AM | Last Modified: 03/23/2011 2:00 PM | Updates

MKO Grand Chief David Harper took the issue of the need for running water in northern First Nations to the Vatican this morning, meeting with Pope Benedict following mass at St. Peter's Square.

MKO Grand Chief David Harper took the issue of the need for running water in northern First Nations to the Vatican this morning.

Harper and an MKO delegation met with Pope Benedict following mass at St. Peter's Square where the need for fresh running water was raised.

"I told him that I know this is an international issue and it needs to be addressed and he said he agreed," Harper said in a telephone interview.

Harper said the Pope said there is a need for greater advocacy on the issue to ensure all people have access to clean, running water.

"His response was that he will remember us and that he'll make efforts for an urgent call for advocacy to get it done."

Harper had been in Rome since last week, where he was participating in a local marathon as part of a Canadian delegation to promote international awareness of a world-wide diabetes epidemic. He and the other members of the MKO delegation have been sponsored by the Northwest Company.

Harper said he told the Pope he was representing the aboriginal people of northern Manitoba and presented him with several gifts, including a set of moccasins made by his mother and gifts made by the elders of the Sayisi Dene First Nation of Tadoule Lake.

Harper said he extended an invitation to the Pope to visit the northern First Nation communities of Manitoba when he makes his first visit to Canada.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca