At WPI, you may often hear the phrase, “water is life.” This sentiment deeply shapes our mission and our determination to create accessible paths to safe drinking water. This belief stems from a shared global purpose and reflects the invaluable contributions and ideas of Indigenous communities, who have long served as stewards of the land and water. As an environmental organization, Water Professionals International recognizes our duty to promote the stories of Native peoples who have led the way in conservation efforts.
Today marks Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States, a holiday rooted in the reclamation of a story of resilience and perseverance. The Indigenous Peoples Initiative states that “the story of Indigenous peoples in North America, past and present, is often forgotten, invisible, or ignored.” By continuing to highlight the immense value of Indigenous peoples’ contributions to their communities, it is WPI’s goal to challenge harmful rhetoric and take steps towards moving away from a colonial mindset.
Water as a cultural cornerstone for Native tribes and nations can be seen in the practices of both the Haida and Ojibwe communities. Open Rivers outlines key concepts shared across both cultures:
- Water is a sacred being that must be cared for and respected.
- We have a cultural responsibility to take care of the water, which in turn will
- Be the caretaker of us, with our lives depending on her.
For the Haida, a matrilineal and matriarchal Indigenous community with roots in both First Nations and Alaskan Native societies, this reverence for water is deeply evident. They distinguish between freshwater (gándla) and saltwater (tang), a differentiation crucial for the sustainability of their water sources. To the Haida, water is tied to luck; it is believed that overconsumption may wash away one’s fortunes. Historically, water has also been a primary resource for securing food, with many kinds of fish and sea mammals, such as herring, salmon, halibut, and seal, forming the staples of their diet.
The Ojibwe community, primarily residing in the Great Lakes region in both Canada and the United States, shares a similarly profound connection to water (nibi), which is viewed as a sacred spirit. Originally from the East Coast of Turtle Island before colonization, the Ojibwe peoples found bodies of water essential for their survival. They believe water carries stories and serves as the center of all things, forming the very bond that connects their community.
Yet, despite the crucial importance of water to many Indigenous communities, North America is facing a severe water crisis for many Native peoples. The Guardian reports that in 2021, approximately one in ten Indigenous Americans lacked access to safe tap water or basic sanitation, leading to an increase in health challenges like Covid-19, diabetes, and gastrointestinal diseases. This crisis extends into Canada, where, as of October 9, 2025, there were 36 short-term drinking water advisories in place across First Nations communities south of 60, excluding those in British Columbia. And this crisis is not a new one. In June of 2022, the Neskantaga First Nation, an Ojibwe community, reached its 10,000th day without clean drinking water.
These staggering statistics merely scratch the surface of the stories surrounding the water crisis faced by Indigenous nations and communities. Water is life; it is vital not only for the physical well-being of Native peoples but also for the preservation of their culture and history. This is why Indigenous communities across North America have passionately undertaken the fight for water rights.
In the United States, Native tribes have been at the forefront of advocating for access to clean water, particularly in the Southwest and along the Colorado River. Nora McDowell, a former chairwoman of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, shares with Al-Jazeera, “We have to look at a different way of how we respect the river, how we treat the river, and we’ve got to look out for future generations. We have to protect it.”
Across the Canadian border, Autumn Peltier, Chief Water Commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation, echoes this sentiment, stating, “Water is medicine. It’s not just a resource. It’s a right, and it’s a basic human right that everyone deserves to have.” Peltier, who spoke at WPI’s Annual Conference in 2023, is a fierce advocate for First Nations water rights, having brought attention to the Canadian government’s broken promises, boil advisories, and ongoing water quality challenges across First Nations land.
Another powerful voice in environmental and water protection is the Haida people in Canada, whose resilience has led to significant victories in their fight to protect the land. For years, timber companies were causing intense destruction in their land. Guujaaw, former President of the Council of the Haida Nation, reflects, “As they were spoiling the land, there were landslides into the creek, gravel being taken out of the creeks, and fish and game being destroyed.” In 1985, the Haida people created a blockade on Lyell Island, shutting down logging routes. Their determination led to negotiations with the logging companies, and finally, they were able to reduce the annual timber cut by nearly 75 percent.
Stories like these serve as reminders of the spirit of these communities. Further, they are lessons in how to advocate and fight for the water rights of Indigenous tribes and nations. As we recognize the ongoing water and climate crisis, it is vital to honor and uplift the voices of Indigenous communities. Their powerful teachings about water’s sacredness and their unwavering commitment to stewardship can guide us toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
As Haida scholar Lucy Bell writes, “We are tied to our mother and our land by a liis, an invisible thread.” We cannot separate the survival of cultural traditions and future generations from the necessity of environmental protection and the voices of Native nations and tribes. Water is life, and in recognizing this, we not only acknowledge the struggles of Indigenous peoples but also move forward in a collective effort to ensure that clean, safe water is a right afforded to every community.
