The Indigenous Water Allyship
A meaningful partnership aiming to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in Canada to improve living conditions and health through water and art.
Land Acknowledgement
The One Drop Foundation acknowledges Inuit, Métis, and First Nations Peoples across Canada as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters since time immemorial. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are with us today, those who have gone before us, and the youth that inspire us.
About the Indigenous Water Allyship
The Indigenous Water Allyship is co-designed and implemented with, by and for First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth and their communities from 2023 to 2030. Its first phase, led by the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), is meant to empower Indigenous youth to express their voice and vision around water-related challenges through art and community-based approaches, while its second phase is meant to build on this to develop a long-term program to improve living conditions and health in First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in Canada through increased knowledge and equitable access to safe water.
Despite living in one of the most water-rich countries, many Indigenous communities in Canada continue to be disproportionately affected by water-related issues. Recurring drinking water advisories increase their exposure to contaminants which can result in waterborne illness and long-term health impacts.
Since 2007, the One Drop Foundation has been ensuring sustainable access to safe water and sanitation all around the world. Committed to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the Foundation is expanding its efforts to improve access to safe water in Canada.
Through the power of water and social art, the program will focus on promoting the capacity of Indigenous youth to influence water and climate issues, on enhancing Indigenous and intergenerational cultural wisdoms on water-related issues, and on increasing mobilization from all sectors in Canada.
Partners involved
The One Drop Foundation thanks the Center for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, Ovivo and Power Corporation of Canada, whose support will allow this initiative to scale from coast to coast to coast.
We also extend our gratitude to the RBC Foundation, Levine Bros. Plumbing, Listel, University of Western Ontario and Fondation François Bourgeois for their generous support, which has been vital to our projects and activities.
Phase 1 : The Indigenous Youth, Art and Water Initiative
In the first phase of the Indigenous Water Allyship, CIER and One Drop Foundation are co-designing the Indigenous Youth, Art and Water Initiative. This initiative seeks to connect with communities' relationships with water and to celebrate distinct water-related knowledge across Canada, while enhancing intergenerational and intersectoral relationships through community art-based approaches.
We are thrilled to announce that the Indigenous Youth, Art and Water Initiative has selected nine Young Indigenous Ambassadors from a total of 31 applicants. Supported by their Indigenous-led sponsor organizations, they will create community social art projects that promote the significance of water and challenge the current state of water issues affecting Indigenous communities in Canada.
Click here to know more about the Ambassadors and their social art projects.
Participating Organizations
As part of the Indigenous Youth, Art and Water Initiative, One Drop Foundation is honoured to collaborate with 10 Indigenous-led and youth-focused organizations : Caldwell First Nation, Indigenous Elders & Youth Council, Kativik llisarniliriniq, Native Children’s Survival, Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Society, Water Movement, Water Ways Collective, Vines Art Society, WAG-Qaumajuq, and Wapikoni Mobile.
Youth and community members from Serpent River First Nation, Ontario explored their connections to water through PhotoVoice art, creating a map and booklet from water testing along the Serpent River to address pollution and cultural loss due to uranium contamination. This initiative—led by Quinn Meawasige and Norah Jacobs with support from The Waterways Collective—seeks to raise awareness and inspire action. Photo credit: CIER/The Waterways Collective
Youth and community members from Serpent River First Nation, Ontario explored their connections to water through PhotoVoice art, creating a map and booklet from water testing along the Serpent River to address pollution and cultural loss due to uranium contamination. This initiative—led by Quinn Meawasige and Norah Jacobs with support from The Waterways Collective—seeks to raise awareness and inspire action. Photo credit: CIER/The Waterways Collective
At École Iguarsivik in Puvirnituq, Quebec, a youth-led mural on water issues was created in collaboration with Inuit artist Niap, alongside the development of educational kits addressing water challenges, health, and cultural practices. This initiative was guided by Young Indigenous Ambassadors Elaisa Ittukallak and Natalie Tukalak with the support of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq. Photo credit: CIER/Kativik Ilisarniliriniq
In Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, the Ohneganos platform was indigenized to address the environmental as well as health impacts of water pollution and climate change. Media artwork and VR experiences focused on ecological grief were also crafted. This initiative was guided by Young Indigenous Ambassador Makasa Looking Horse and supported by the Indigenous Elders and Youth Council.
In Nuu-Chah-Nulth Territory, British Columbia, youth collaborated with Elders and master carvers to create a social art piece while sharing intergenerational knowledge. Leadership in sustainable marine protection and cultural revitalization was the focus of this endeavour, which was led by Young Indigenous Ambassadors Jessie (Lakos) Everson and Andrew Clappis with the support of the Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Family Society. Photo credit: CIER/Nuu-Chah-Nulth Youth Warrior Family Society
A social art exhibition hosted in Winnipeg, Manitoba engaged youth from various communities to create works reflecting personal connections to water and the impacts of climate change. This initiative was shaped by Young Indigenous Ambassadors Victoria Redsun and Paige Miswagon with the support of WAG-Qaumajuq. Photo: Courtesy of WAG-Qaumajuq
A mural displayed on Parliament Hill celebrated National Indigenous Water Operator Day, showcasing artwork by Indigenous youth and recognizing the contributions of water operators. Young Indigenous Ambassador Mia Cook from Calgary, Alberta played a vital role in this tribute to water leaders with support from Water Movement. Photo credit: CIER/Water Movement
Along Lake Erie’s shores, youth organized a water song ceremony and water walk to address water quality degradation and reconnect with traditional cultural practices. Young Indigenous Ambassadors Anellah Orosz and JD Steuer spearheaded this effort with Caldwell First Nation supporting them. Photo credit: CIER/Caldwell First Nation
Next Steps
By 2030, the Indigenous Water Allyship envisions contributing to the well-being of at least 50 of Indigenous communities (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) in Canada by safeguarding the sustainable access to safe drinking water, source water protection and empowering community-led water governance.
In our quest to collaborate with like-minded organizations, foundations and companies who believe in the urgent need to address and change the systemic issues at the heart of clean water and climate challenges, we invite the Canadian community focused on sustainable water initiatives to contact Lauren Alcorn, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations, to discuss learning and partnership opportunities.
