The Lakota phrase “Mní wičhóni,” or “Water is life,” was the protest anthem from Standing Rock heard around the world, but it also has a spiritual meaning rooted in indigenous worldviews and our connection to nature. For Native Americans, water does not only sustain life – it is sacred. As grassroots collectives fight all over the world to protect our rivers and watersheds, we must always remember to honor the spiritual foundations underlying these battles. Water is life.

Moderated by Clayton Thomas Muller (Mathias Colomb Cree), Activist, Writer and Public speaker ; and, featuring Caleen Sisk (Winnemem Wintu), Spiritual Leaders and Tribal Chief Carletta Tilousi (Havasupai), activist and Tribal Council Member; Carrie “CC” Curley (San Carlos Apache) Apache Stronghold Water Protector.

This presentation took place in the Indigeneity Forum at the 2018 National Bioneers Conference. See more from the 2018 Conference.

Indigeneity is a Native-led Program within Bioneers/Collective Heritage Institute that promotes indigenous knowledge and approaches to solve the earth’s most pressing environmental and social issues through respectful dialogue. Visit the Indigeneity Program homepage.