The federal government’s proposed 2022 budget includes millions for a first-of-its-kind Indigenous-led water authority to assume responsibility for water systems in First Nations communities. Indigenous Services Canada is set to receive $173 million in funding over 10 years to support the transfer of water and wastewater services in 17 First Nations communities in Eastern Canada to the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority. “We were optimistic about the budget submission but did not want to get ahead of ourselves leading up to the announcement. As Chief of a community that faced problems with its water for many years, (Thursday’s) announcement is a huge step in the right direction,” Potlotek Chief Wilbert Marshall, chair of the water authority’s board of directors said in a written statement.