Indigenous water science as water sustainability
Ranjan Datta1, Margot Hurlbert2, Angelina Weenie3
1Canada Research Chair, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
|June 9, 2026
Summary
Indigenous water science views water as a living relative, not a resource. This community-led research highlights Indigenous teachings on relationality, ceremony, and collective responsibility for sustainable water governance.
Area of Science:
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Environmental Governance
- Water Science
Background:
- Indigenous Peoples globally recognize water as a living entity with inherent spirit and sustainability.
- Conventional water management often treats water as a resource, overlooking its spiritual and relational dimensions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how Indigenous water science, through community-led decolonial story sharing and ceremonies, informs sustainable water governance.
- To explore the ethical and spiritual dimensions of water healing and governance within Indigenous communities.
Main Methods:
- Community-led decolonial story sharing with Starblanket Cree First Nation.
- Analysis of land-based conversations and water ceremonies.
- Focus on relationality, ceremony, and collective responsibility in water practices.
Main Results:
- Indigenous water science offers a framework for relational, ethical, and community-led approaches to water governance.
- Water healing and governance are understood as ethical and spiritual practices rooted in reciprocity.
- Sustainable water governance requires moving beyond technical exercises to embrace Indigenous worldviews.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable water governance must integrate Indigenous knowledge, emphasizing reciprocity and collective responsibility.
- Ethical and spiritual practices are fundamental to effective water healing and management.
- Community-led research is crucial for decolonizing water governance and promoting water well-being.
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