The Water Walker: Indigenous Wisdom and Water Contamination

In what ways do indigenous views of water align with scientific views, and how do indigenous activists use artistic expression to advocate for water protection?

Know (knowledge):

• Many indigenous people have strong connections to land and water, and often advocate for eliminating water contamination
• Indigenous perspectives of water often align with the science behind water
• The process of osmosis and the definition of the terms “solvent,” “solute,” “solution,” and “semipermeable membrane”
• Indigenous artists and activists can be role models for ways of addressing environmental issues

Mastery Objective

• Students will be able to examine the cultural, spiritual, and scientific significance of water by watching clips from the documentary film Water Walker and pursuing a hands-on experiment on water contamination.

Special thanks to Seeing Red for footage from The Water Walker.

In this lesson, students will explore the significance of protecting water for some indigenous communities. They will be introduced to the work of influential indigenous activists on the global stage, including activist Autumn Peltier and musician Taboo. They will also conduct a scientific experiment to examine the dangers of contaminated water. Through these activities, students will consider the relationship between artistic expression and conveying important social and environmental messages.

As described in the documentary The Water Walker, a Water Walker is a term used among some indigenous communities to designate people who advocate for water protection and fight against water contamination. The film introduces Autumn Peltier, an Anishinaabe young person from Canada who follows in the footsteps of her aunt, another Water Walker to advocate for clean water. The documentary follows Peltier and her mother as Peltier prepares to present a speech to the United Nations defending the cause of eliminating water contamination.

Peltier’s conviction to protect water is deeply inspired by indigenous perspectives on the importance of water, which in their own right are based in scientific understanding. Water acts as a solvent, into which various minerals and molecules - or solutes - dissolve. The membranes of plant cells are semipermeable, meaning that through the process of osmosis, plant cells take in the solutes of the water that surrounds them. This process of osmosis may lead to beneficial or harmful effects within the plant, depending upon the type of solutes absorbed. Such effects transfer to humans, livestock, or fish who also eat the vegetable material. In such a way, avoiding water contamination is paramount to the health of entire ecosystems. As Autumn’s mother explains in the documentary, water produces the various types of “medicine” in the world - the plants, fish, and animals - and if the water is contaminated, so too is the medicine.

Understanding this science, indigenous people, environmentalists, and many young people have protested projects or activities that contaminate the health of water sources. Most notably, protests have revolved around fossil fuel pipelines which threaten to devastate ecosystems should they leak or rupture. Often protesters and healthy water advocates rely on art and music to spread their message - and they are sometimes joined by well-known allies. For example, as part of the 2016 protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, artists Taboo Nawasah collaborated with the non-profit organization Hip Hop Caucus to release “Stand Up/Stand n Rock,” a protest song that was viewed millions of times on YouTube - helping to spread the Water Walker’s message.

• White flowers (3-5 per group)
• Jars (3-5 per group)
• Food coloring (3-5 colors per group)
• Water
• Scissors
• Art supplies (Cardboard, paper, paint, markers, etc.)