On World Water Day (March 22, 2026), Prama Roy and Ember Carrera from the CEC-REN Youth Outreach team attended an Indigenous Languages Celebration event hosted by the Katarokwi/Kingston Indigenous community to learn about Indigenous water stewardship.
Grandmother Kathy Brant (Mohawk), of the Katarokwi Grandmother ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ ’s Council, and Pytor Hodgson (Anishinaabe) opened the gathering with the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address and teachings on how water connects all beings. Language revitalization plays a vital role in strengthening relationships with water and All Our Relations.
We also connected with Kaitlyn Ouimette (Métis) from the Ontario Native Women ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ ’s Association, who shared teachings on the sacredness and purification properties of sweetwater (maple sap). Its collection marks the transition into spring and renewal.
Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest (KNCLN) Akwe:kon program coordinator, Dakota Oliver (Mohawk), and her aunty (Mohawk community member), Lisa C., are Water Walkers. They will help lead the 2026 Water Walks:
• Kingston → Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (July 4, 2026)
• Kingston → Ottawa (August 1, 2026)
These walks raise awareness of boil water advisories in First Nations communities and advocate for clean, accessible drinking water. Allies are welcome - please consider supporting the walks or volunteering at KNCLN ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ ’s Earth Day celebration (April 26, 2026). We would be happy to connect you with KNCLN staff if you’re interested.
We also learned about the t, which advances freshwater monitoring and awareness along the St. Lawrence River (Kaniatarowanenneh), grounded in Haudenosaunee teachings about Ohne:ka (water in Kanien’kehá:ka).
Finally, teachings from an Anishinaabe perspective emphasized the deep interconnection between women ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ ’s rights, the womb and water, and water health. Nya:wen, Sawatis Miller (Mohawk), for your advocacy and discussions surrounding contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). #SearchtheLandfills
We are grateful for all of these teachings, relationships, and the ongoing work to protect water and communities for future generations. 💧
#WorldWaterDay #WaterIsLife #IndigenousKnowledge #WaterStewardship #CommunityEngagement #AllOurRelations
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