Right Relations
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Climate Creativity frames ‘right relations’ as steps towards “undo[ing] the colonial relations at the root of climate change”. Read more about it in this Sustainability Science article (Gram-Hanssen, Schafenacker, & Bentz 2021).

Image credit: © Climate Creativity 2021

Working on behalf of all waters involves more than collaboration and partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples. It means restoring our relationships — to the waters and land, to ourselves, and to each other. These ‘Right Relations’ turn our colonial worldviews inside out, helping to buffer their unjust power structures and perpetual harm. As Potawotami ecologist Robin Kimmerer puts it:

“It’s not the land which is broken, but our relationship to land. That’s the work of artists, storytellers, parents. We braid sweetgrass to come into right relationship.”

While ‘right relations’ is a concept settler organizations frequently use, we could not identify its original Indigenous source (let us know if you can!). Right relations acknowledges the ‘all my relations’ philosophy expressed by many Indigenous cultures on turtle island. The term recognizes the harmony and interconnectedness of all life, including the more-than-human world, as well as our responsibility and reciprocity in these relationships.

This framing resonates with us and our values at Our Living Waters. Below, we identify how these values tie into our work. Over time, we will weave Right Relations into all that we do, guided by Indigenous partners and our ongoing journeys of (un)learning along the way.

The path toward Right Relations

Our Living Waters is supported by a non-Indigenous staff team and serves a diverse Network of freshwater groups. While some Network members are Indigenous led, most are not, but many of the latter work closely with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in the watersheds they work to protect. We recognize that collaboration with Indigenous Peoples is essential when working to protect waters and we are committed to the ongoing process of reconciliation. We embrace opportunities for meaningful exchange between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments,work to align our policy positions with diverse Indigenous priorities, and strive to understand what it means to work with multiple knowledge systems.

Because Our Living Waters operates on a cross-country scale, staff focus on nurturing personal relationships in our local communities. We also hold ourselves and our non-Indigenous partners accountable to our responsibilities, particularly regarding Indigenous principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. When new members join the Network, we ask them to acknowledge that their work adheres to these Indigenous principles, the Declaration, and the Calls to Action.

Wherever we are in this heart-led journey is the right place to paddle another stroke forward. We commit to continued (un-)learning and expect to be humbled by mistakes along the way. We encourage all Network members to continue the (inner) work to braid Indigenous worldviews and leadership. Let’s roll up our sleeves!

 


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Our Water Declaration

As Network conveners, we are committed to centering our relationship with water through our water declaration:

We know—in our bones—that water is sacred.
We have a responsibility to listen to and take care of the waters.
Our relationships with each other are a reflection of our relationships to water.
We are dedicated to working together on behalf of the waters.


 

Here’s how we are weaving Right Relations into our key services:

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A Common Agenda: Shared Measurement  in progress!

  • Be transparent about which worldview designed the Shared Measurement System, which ones are absent, and why.
  • Listen to established Indigenous advisory circles about their water priorities; ask if or how this measurement system could benefit or raise awareness of those priorities.
  • Consider whether a two-eyed seeing adaptation of the system is feasible or advised.
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Network Weaving: Catalyzing Shared Leadership – in action!

  • Be careful to position ourselves as individuals and as a Network in the freshwater community.
  • Listen to Indigenous Network members, one-on-one, to better understand their community needs and priorities.
  • Find First Nations, Métis, and Inuit leaders who work with water on broad scales and create ways to bring their work to the forefront.
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Enabling Collaboration & Collective Impact – in action!

  • Challenge ourselves on each Focus Group and Team to align our work with diverse Indigenous priorities.
  • Find ways within each Focus Group and Team to disrupt our Western and colonial worldviews and challenge our understanding of current governance systems.
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Promoting Federal Water Policy – in action!

  • Work to ensure that advocacy doesn’t interfere with or counter efforts to realize Indigenous inherent or Treaty Rights.
  • Support relationships with National Indigenous Organizations to further allyship, deepen relationships and enable bridge-building between Rights holders and federal officials.
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Constant Communications: Amplifying Network Members’ Work – in action!

  • Create space for Indigenous voices in OLW events and communications.
  • Celebrate relationships with water through ‘The Art of Water’, by featuring stories about water leaders that use art to drive change, build community, honour sacredness and centre Indigenous voices.
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Bilingualism – in action!

  • Acknowledge that Indigenous languages are missing in most of our written communications.
  • Work towards learning and respectfully including Indigenous water body names, place names, and greetings in communications and at convenings.

 

Right Relations
Right Relations
Imagine a Canada where all waters are in good health: