About us

Ira Auger is the founder and 100% shareholder of Kanatan Water Inc. Kanatan is an indigenous word for Clean or Pure. It is sometimes spelt Ki-nah-ten or kanatan.

A guiding principle that shapes how we do business is the protection and encouraging of “our mode or way of life”:

This “way of life” is defined in our Treaties and applies to our sovereignty and is included in Treaty 8 regarding our way of governance.

In the context of treaty promises and the protection of indigenous peoples' way of life, the concept of "mode of life" can be understood as a form of sovereignty in governance. This entails recognizing and safeguarding the distinctive features of indigenous peoples' everyday lives, including their socioeconomic organization, cultural practices, and relationship with the land 

The treaty promise to protect the mode of life of indigenous peoples reflects a commitment to upholding their sovereignty and self-determination. It acknowledges the integral connection between indigenous communities and their traditional lands, as well as the importance of preserving their cultural heritage and values.

This commitment involves respecting indigenous governance structures, ensuring access to resources necessary for maintaining their way of life, and addressing historical injustices that have threatened their autonomy and well-being. It also requires meaningful engagement with indigenous communities in decision-making processes that affect their lives and territories.

In essence, protecting the mode of life of indigenous peoples within the framework of treaty promises signifies recognizing their right to govern themselves according to their own traditions and values, thereby upholding their inherent sovereignty and promoting justice and equity.