The full participation of Indigenous Peoples within water and wastewater policy and decision-making is hindered by many factors, including inadequate resources, funding, and, overall, a lack of respect or formal recognition of Indigenous rights. Despite significant investments and advancement in technologies to treat water and wastewater, Indigenous communities across Canada continue to face persistent boil-water advisories and inadequate drinking water quality and wastewater treatment. Holistic approaches that address the technical elements, in addition to the social, economic, and demographic elements are needed in order to address the complex issues surrounding the delivery of safe drinking water and adequate wastewater treatment within communities.

Greater emphasis on the importance of Indigenous-led management of water and wastewater is needed to increase control and decision-making power around water and wastewater management. This thesis investigates tools and methodologies for enhanced Indigenous-led control and decision-making on water and wastewater management. The research comprises six related subjects:​ (1) a framework for enhanced Indigenous participation in water and wastewater presented as a tool which can improve Indigenous health and wellbeing;​ (2) investigation into options to improve engagement with Indigenous peoples on water and wastewater;​ (3) Indigenous-driven operator training and certification regimes;​ (4) a decolonized framework to facilitate community water sustainability and security;​ (5) proposed elements of a National Indigenous water strategy;​ and, (6) real-time monitoring technology as a tool to improve drinking water as supplied. Through these subjects, Indigenous-centered, collaborative and participatory methodologies and tools for water and wastewater treatment, design and management are presented.