Indigenous water science as water sustainability

Indigenous Peoples worldwide have long understood that water is not a resource to be managed, but a living relative with spirit, agency, and sustainability. This community-led research article draws from decolonial story sharing, land-based conversations, and water ceremonies conducted with Starblanket Cree First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan, Canada. Drawing from community-led decolonial story sharing held with the Starblanket Cree First Nation in Treaty 4 Territory, Saskatchewan, Canada, the study examines how Indigenous water science contributes to relational, ethical, and community-led approaches to sustainable water governance and water healing. Focusing on relationality, ceremony, and collective responsibility, the Starblanket Cree First Nation's water activities and teachings show that sustainable water governance must be understood as an ethical and spiritual practice rooted in reciprocity, rather than as a technical exercise.