Discussion with Freshwater Labs on water storytelling

We will discuss different strategies for engaging people in telling stories about water:  Watermark from Swim Drink Fish, and a Lake Michigan digital storytelling project, and a Chicago River digital storytelling site. 

Climate Grief and Change with Carolynn Crawley

As we witness and experience the impacts of a climate crisis, global pandemic, and injustices it may be easy to lose hope. Carolynne will focus upon breaking down colonial ways of thinking that intentionally try to separate people from the Earth, by creating an opportunity for reflection and individual change. She will share Indigenous perspectives from Elders in her life that guide people to move through grief and into hope while building responsible and reciprocal relations with the waters and all of their relations

There’s Something In the Water: screening and discussion with Dorene Bernard

Dorene Bernard is a grassroots grandmother from the Sipekne’katik band in Mi’kmak’i. She is a water protector, water walker, and survivor of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. Her background is in Aboriginal Social Work where she had worked for 20 years in Child Welfare and Community Support for Residential School Survivors. She was the Coady International Institute Chair in Social Justice 2017, sharing her teachings on Environmental Racism, Climate Justice, Residential School legacy and social justice issues, including child welfare, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/Girls, Climate Justice and Water teachings, inspired and mentored by the late Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, Mother Earth Water Walker. She is featured with other grassroots grandmothers and water protectors in the Environmental Racism documentary on Netflix, There’s Something in the Water, produced by Ellen Page and Ian Daniel.

Blood and Water: Film Screening and Panel with Layla Black

Join Water Allies for a film screening of Blood & Water: A Story of Reclamation. The film, directed by Layla Staats (Black) is a self-narrated documentary exposing new light on the modern day impact and generational trauma caused by residential schools, and exploring the relation between water and healing. Layla Staats is Mohawk, Turtle Clan from […]

How are researchers and educators collaborating beyond post-secondary institutions? Contributors to this discussion outline their methodologies, ethics, and practices for community-engaged research and learning. Panelists including Sherry Fukuzawa, Councillor Veronica King-Jamieson, and Elder Garry Sault of the Indigenous Action Group, a collaboration between University of Toronto Mississauga and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, discussed […]

Nearshore Gathering: Collaborative and Community-Engaged Research

"How are researchers and educators collaborating beyond post-secondary institutions? Contributors to this discussion outline their methodologies, ethics, and practices for community-engaged research and learning. Sherry Fukuzawa, Councillor Veronica King-Jamieson, and Elder Garry Sault of the Indigenous Action Group, a collaboration between University of Toronto Mississauga and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, will discuss the […]

Healthy Great Lakes for Future Generations

On December 1st, 2022, Water Allies, in partnership with Environmental Defence, ran a panel with Michelle Woodhouse and Deborah McGregor, two Indigenous women who are working to protect the Great Lakes from environmental degradation and to ensure healthy freshwater and riverine systems in Ontario. The panel brought an Indigenous perspective of water protection, relationship to […]

Two-Eyed Seeing on the Humber: Explore the Salmon Runs with Water Allies

Weston Lions Park 2125 Lawrence Avenue West, Toronto, Canada

You are invited to join Water Allies for an event on October 1st, hosted in partnershiip with Star Nahwegahbo from Earth Works Visions, Elder Whabagoon of Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag, and Water Rangers. The event is public and open to all. It will bring together Anishnaabek and Western science perspectives on the salmon runs, water protection, and the importance of caring for the rivers in our ravines.

Weaving Together Grassroots Water Protectors

Water Allies is pleased to announce a panel featuring the work of two movements working to protect the water: Protect the Tract and Wellington Water Watchers.