Welcome to Water Wise

The quality of freshwater (nibi) is the main focus of Water Wise. With people at the heart of it.

THANK YOU. MERCI. MIIGWECH

TO ALL WHO CELEBRATED OUR 3RD ANNUAL, BINATIONAL UN WORLD WATER DAY EVENT

IN SAULT STE. MARIE, MARCH 22ND, 2023 TO Be The Change

The 2023 UN World Water Day theme, Accelerating Change, to help solve the global water and sanitation crisis

Working together on Sustainable Development Goal Number 6

This series of local events, proudly organized by a freshwater network of volunteers from:

The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA), Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE) and Native American Center, Batchewana First Tribe, the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma University, Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy, and Water Wise. Supported by the Art Gallery of Algoma.

Connect to the World Water Day 2023: Community : Community Conversation - Accelerating Change Webinar

World Water Day Community Presentation - YouTube

To accelerate change, no action is too small. The UN urges individuals and groups to make a personal commitment to water. These promises from individuals, schools, businesses, and communities will contribute to the Water Action Agenda alongside larger commitments from governments, corporations, organizations, institutions, and coalitions.

Using an ancient story from the Quechua people in Peru, of a hummingbird who carries drops of water to put out a great forest fire, this year's World Water Day campaign encourages people to do what they can to solve the water and sanitation crisis in their own communities.  

IN SAULT STE. MARIE, STUDENTS MADE THEIR WORLD WATER DAY PLEDGES

Students from grades 4, 5, 6 and 8 at Holy Cross Elementary School created a display board highlighting their pledges to conserve and not waste water. Pictured here, wearing their United Nations World Water Day stickers. Way to go!

BINATIONAL WORLD WATER DAY EVENT OVERVIEW

Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma Region’s local World Water Day celebration kicks off with an official proclamation by the Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie live on YouTube at 4:30 PM during the March 20, 2023, City Council meeting. 

   Student Activity: March 22nd, 9:30 AM - 2 PM - Three elementary classes will participate in an in-person water teaching at the Art Gallery of Algoma where they will present offerings to the River, in a session led by Shirley Horn, from The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA) and Joanie McGuffin, from the Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy. Students will learn to connect deeper and get to know Nibi (water in Anishinaabemowin) better. 

Film Screening & Panel Discussion: 4:30 PM - Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education will present a special showing of the film ‘Lake Superior Our Helper: Stories from Batchewanaung Anishinabek Fisheries’. Doors open at 100 Salmon Run Way, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the CFRE Seminar Room at 4:30 PM with the documentary screening at 5 PM. A panel discussion and refreshments will follow. Admission is free and any questions can be sent to mdavis1@lssu.edu.

Community Presentation: 7 PM - 8:30 PM -  World Water Day wraps up with a virtual community conversation with local scientists and water advocates. To register for the virtual presentation please click here. Speakers include:

1. Candace Day Neveau, Co-founder of Baawaating Water Protectors, “Guidance from an Anishinaabe Fisherman's Granddaughter”. She urges everyone to, “keep the waters clean and the air pristine”
   
   

2. Dr. Paula Cypas Antunes (she/her), Senior Research Scientist, Nautilus Environmental, “Contaminants of Concern: Challenges & Remediation”

3. Dr. Michael Twiss (he,him/il,lui), Dean, Faculty of Science, Algoma University: “Our Relationship with the Great Lakes”

Water (Nibi) affects everyone!

Each of us needs to take action to better use, consume and manage water in our daily lives. Our future depends on it. Make Your Commitment

Local Action: The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority also launched its Watershed Report Card to promote an understanding of environmental changes in our watersheds. Our own health and well-being are dependent on healthy watersheds. Watershed report cards reflect environmental changes underway in Ontario’s watersheds. Conservation Authorities work with residents and partners to maintain and improve watershed health through actions to protect and conserve Ontario’s natural resources. Get to know your watershed and find your watershed’s report card at: ssmrca.ca/watershed-report-card. Visit watershedcheckup.ca/what-can-you-do and take action today!

Act Locally and Globally:  UN-Water | Be The Change | Be the change you want to see in the world. (unwater.org)

3rd Annual Water World Water Day Event, Sault Ste. Marie

Thank You. Merci. Miigwech.

Land Acknowledgement:

I acknowledge, with respect, that we are in Robinson-Huron Treaty territory, the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg people, known as Baawaating. In particular the Anishinaabeg of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Kinoozhekaaning; also known as Bay Mills Indian Community, Batchewana First Nation, Kitagan Ziibing also known as Garden River First Nation, and their kinship relatives of the Metis Nation. We acknowledge these peoples as the traditional custodians of the land, water, and all species. We pay respects to their ancestors and to them as original and current land protectors.

Photography provided by Jeff Dixon.

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