Paving the way for sustainable policies and practices

Graduate students Miranda Black and Andre Setoodeh represent Canada’s next generation of water policy leaders. They recently received the Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellowship in support of their research that emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability in freshwater policies and practices.

Black, a master’s student in environmental applied science and management, aims to raise awareness of the importance of Indigenous-led environmental management in the Great Lakes basin, and write publications that support Indigenous knowledge in water stewardship and governance.  

“Indigenous views have been excluded in decisions related to water governance and policies, even though the pressures on water have a direct impact on First Nations’ constitutional rights and paths to livelihoods,” said Black.

Her thesis research focuses on policies governing Toronto Island and surrounding waters. Black will apply Indigenous qualitative methods, interview Indigenous people who live in Toronto and residents of Toronto Island, and document information on water and land claims. Her thesis project will offer recommendations on how to include Indigenous perspectives and knowledge in water protection policies and practices, climate adaptation and environmental sustainability in Toronto and the Great Lakes region.   

Setoodeh, also a master’s student in environmental applied science and management, is doing research focused on identifying best practices, innovative policy approaches and strategic investments related to aging water infrastructure that causes water quality problems in cities, to improve water asset management in Ontario’s municipalities.  

“I’m interested in generating new water policy knowledge at the municipal level and providing recommendations to help policy makers improve the management of aging water distribution, wastewater and stormwater systems in cities like Toronto that are trying to adapt to population growth and climate change,” Setoodeh said.

Geoffrey F. Bruce was a distinguished public servant and diplomat who devoted his career to advancing collaboration for environmental protection and sustainable development practices. Created through a generous donation from Erika v. C. Bruce, the Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellowship grants $25,000 in funds each year to support graduate research projects that shape public policy and ensure the sustainability of freshwater resources in Canada.

“The goal of the fellowship is to attract and provide funding for Canada’s future water leaders and support for students who want to pursue careers in freshwater policy,” said Carolyn Johns, chair of the Bruce Fellowship selection committee and graduate program director of the master’s in public policy and administration.

As far as future plans are concerned, Black aims to work in Indigenous justice and environmental assessment from a sustainability lens.  

“Water is our life giver, and we’re so lucky to be in the position of having these freshwater lakes – the largest in the world,” Black said. “But they’re very vulnerable, especially over the last 100 years. So we need to make sure that our policies are protecting them.”

Setoodeh hopes to begin an internship with the water department in the Town of Georgina, thanks to previous Bruce Fellow Edgar Tovilla who now leads the town’s environmental and water services department. His goal is to “be focused on water management and work in an environmental department in government or a corporation.”