03/22/2026
World Water Day March 22, 2026
Lake - Victoria, BC
United Nations celebrates World Water Day on March 22nd annually, raising awareness of how Water and Gender equality are deeply interconnected. As Indigenous Peoples’ we all Honor Water with shared Teachings and often Pray with or beside Water and have unique Ceremonies to Honor Water.
Water is vulnerable with industry harming and depleting our Water sources.. right here across Canada there are Nations without access to safe, clean drinking water! Across the world, Women bear lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene as the caretakers of their family and community. Women are often not included in decision-making about Water.
Friday, March 20th we gathered at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary with Opening Prayers by Cowichan Elder THE-LA-ME-YÉ Shirley Alphonse, be witness a Water Ceremony led by Anishinaabe Elder Aldeen Mason, and listen to Ipili Indigenous Woman of Papua New Guinea, Cressida Kuala (Water, Human Rights and Environment Defender).. supported by Anishinaabe kwe Alicia BigCanoe, and Cree/Dene, French iskwew Lisa Mercure, to share the importance of Water and Teachings to give Gratitude and continued Offerings to Water.
'We are all Water Praying Women' and visit Water to Pray, give Offerings and love to help heal Her, and send that good energy to ripple and find its way across the world.
With Gratitude to VNFC for the food offerings and transport, and to local revered Anishinaabe Cultural Practitioner, Zofia Rogowski, for creating the World Water Day poster, and Cara and the Swan Lake team for hosting us.
