Decolonizing Water Symposium
Earlier this month, we had the opportunity as a team to join the Decolonizing Water Symposium at the University of Ottawa, on the ancestral homeland of the Omàmìwininì Anishinàbeg peoples. This gathering was full of stories, teachings, thought-provoking dialogue and good medicine all around. We are grateful for the relatives we reconnected with, new friends we had the pleasure of meeting, the lands on which we gathered, and of course, nipiy -- for grounding us in our work and sustaining all life on Mother Earth.
On our first evening in Ottawa, we were lucky to attend a panel consisting of some very powerful iskwewak, hearing Indigenous women’s perspectives on visioning for decolonial water futures. The shared perspectives and themes in these conversations really laid the groundwork for what we’d be discussing over the next couple days. We heard teachings from various communities and nations that reminded us that Indigenous peoples have been thinking about and caring for the waters flowing through Turtle Island for many generations. It is also clear after hearing from these strong iskwewak that we must continue this work of our ancestors, for the little ones that will come after us.
Visions for a Decolonial Water Future: Panel
Sherry Copenance, KC Adams, Leona Star, Susan Chiblow, Colleen James, Aimee Craft
The next day, we gathered for a full day of amazing speakers and presentations that evoked thoughtful discourse and allowed for more relational sharing. Thank you Sherry and Leona, for starting us off in a good way with a water ceremony.
We heard about Anishinaabe elders who are redeveloping their own governance structures in their communities and the importance of returning to our ways of governance as Indigenous peoples, such as clan systems. We also discussed the importance of data sovereignty and management as Indigenous peoples, as we work towards fully realizing ownership, control, access, and possession of our knowledge. The role of women in water protection was touched on as well, analyzing what is actually said by women versus what is said about women and the feminine. We are also reminded that the tools we need to protect the land and water have always been within us. Looking to our languages more intentionally gives us context on how our ancestors cared for the water before colonization.
Dr. Deborah McGregor, Melanie Bartosh, Dr. Susan Chiblow
Following these important conversations, LWIC Director Daniel was able to share with everyone the work we’ve been doing towards developing the Lake Winnipeg Watershed Treaty, alongside longtime LWIC supporter and partner Aimee Craft. We also heard about the Nibi Declaration of Treaty 3, and the Nibi Portal.
Aimee Craft, Daniel Kanu, Lucas King
Our final day at the symposium was nothing short of abundant. We heard from our Treaty 1 relatives, KC Adams and Jaime Isaac, on concepts of relational making and what it means to create as Indigenous peoples. KC talks about moving away from oppressive, colonial systems around “art”, and the relational practice of creating that Indigenous people have been doing so brilliantly for many generations.
We also heard about the development of the Carcross-Tagish Water Strategy, which looks to matriarchal, clan-based governance of the local First Nation to reclaim transboundary jurisdiction of their waters.
Throughout the day, we engaged with even more presenters who shared valuable information and lessons learned through the ongoing work in decolonizing our relationships to water. We heard stories around cross-cultural learning exchanges between Indigenous peoples globally, Anishinaabek communities who are learning to “speak water” by listening to and understanding the messages water is sending us, and the ongoing work of water data scientists who are making water data more easily accessible to everyone.
Our final workshop of the day consisted of a generative writing workshop, which helped us to reflect on our relationships to water. This opportunity to write both individually and in small groups really allowed for even more sharing with each other; in honouring the sacred waters we all carry within us.
All in all, we are tremendously grateful to everyone who attended, participated in, and made the Decolonizing Water Symposium a reality. We are feeling stronger in our connections and relations across Turtle Island with those who are just as interested in the protection of water, restoring Indigenous sovereignty and knowledge systems, and decolonizing our relationships with water.
We extended our gratitude to the Omàmìwininì Anishinàbeg peoples, who are the original caretakers of the waters and land on which we gathered for this exchange of knowledge.
