indigenous waterviews (2025)
“What is the relationship between water and
peace? It is a harmonious relationship between people
and the natural world, all of life. Water is the melody and
rhythm of life. Protect water for life! We need compassion
for Mother Earth by respecting and implementing
traditional laws. We were taught that water spirits are in
our lakes and rivers, that the ocean is holy, has its own
deities, and that water is the physical manifestation of the
spirit. We need to protect all water sources…”
darlene sanderson
cree nation, canada
"INDIGENOUS WATERVIEWS" (2025)
An Anthology of Story, Song and Protocol For Water Ethics
“Our directions are views from the river that runs through our valley. ‘Worldview’ is ‘water view,’ a view from the river not a view of the river. We move upriver, or downriver, to the river, or from the river. So our theoretical standpoint is one that foregrounds water view, (re)claiming knowledges not just for the people, but also for the water; not just looking at our relationship to water, but our accountability to water view.”
Melanie K. Yazzie & Cutcha Risling Baldy
Indigenous Peoples and the Politics on Water
AN INSTRUMENT FOR LEARNING
“Elders have shared with us that Water is the physical manifestation of the spirit – Water is sacred and a gift entrusted to us by the Creator. Lakes and rivers are the veins and arteries of Mother Earth. This book, a sharing of knowledge, wisdom and experience of original peoples from around the world is a reflection of the Waters and people from various places. As Tom Goldtooth (Executive Director of the Environmental Indigenous Network) has said, humanity needs to revisit its relationship with the natural world, so that future generations of all people, plants and animals may have a healthy future.”
darlene sanderson
cree nation, canada
"INDIGENOUS MESSAGE ON WATER" (2014)
This book will not only accompany the traditional peoples gathering during the Indigenous World Forum on Water and Peace; it will also be used as a learning tool for communities post-Forum. It will provide a space in community-based workshops to learn about and discuss the important contributions indigenous peoples have made with respect to the future of our Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.
Website hosted by || Indigenous Environmental Network
Webstite Artwork by || Achu Kantule