Water is Life Initiative (media release, June 23, 2021)

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) has partnered with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) to bring the Water Is Life initiative to all of our elementary schools. This collaboration has created opportunities for the integration of Outdoor and Indigenous Education and the continuation of relationship building among groups.

Inspired by the book “The Water Walker” by Joanne Robertson, the UTRCA has created digital resources for students from K to 8.  This resource includes a reading of the book itself by the author, who is aware of and supportive of the use of her book for this initiative. Also included are division specific presentations, videos, an opportunity for mindfulness to encourage students to reflect on the importance of water and actions they can take to take care of the watershed, and a catalog of resources that exhibit the many actions being taken in the watershed and some further afield. A final call to action is based on the purpose and history of Water Walks, including participation in the movement “The Junior Water Walkers LEARN-ADOPT-PROTECT-WALK” initiative. Classes also learn about their school’s connection to the local waterway on a virtual story map walk that encourages them to adopt and protect that body of water.

The HPCDSB has also focused on building student and staff knowledge and understanding of indigenous culture and history while developing attitudes of stewardship through virtual visual art activities with Brenda Collins, Metis-Anishinaabek Cultural Teacher, and virtual visits with Mary Fischer, Indigenous Education Special Assignment Teacher.

The HPCDSB continues to celebrate National Indigenous Month through these classroom visits, and by inviting families and community members to get out into their local communities to do their own Water Walk. Resources have been shared with educators to support the celebration of the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and celebrating of historical and contemporary Indigenous leaders.

Quotes:
“You can experience it by filling a pail with water and walking around your home or school, just like Nokomis Josephine. When you are finished with your walk do not dump the water down the drain, instead go outside and pour it on your grass or a garden. By doing this you will learn how important the water is to the Anishinaabe people. Miigwetch.”
~ Brenda Collins, Metis-Anishinaabek Cultural Teacher

“Joanne Robertson’s book the Water Walker is an excellent book to engage K-12 classrooms in learning about current water issues and our responsibility to protect it. Joanne’s books and webinars teach the students about the importance of creating a relationship with the environment and encourages the students to say ‘I love you, I respect you and I thank you’, every day.”
~ Mary Fischer, Indigenous Education Teacher, HPCDSB

“We are very pleased to be involved in this collaboration which has created opportunities for the integration of Outdoor and Indigenous Education and the continuation of relationship building among groups.”
~ Vanni Azzano, Community Education Supervisor, UTRCA

“This initiative has been very exciting as not only has it continued to support our focus on building our students and staff knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture and relationship to the land, but it has allowed for partnership between HPCDSB and UTRCA in a way that builds relationships and helps to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.”
~ Tara Cakebread, Learning Coordinator, HPCDSB

UTRCA Contacts: Maranda MacKean, Community Education Specialist, or Erin Dolmage, Community Education Technician