Water is Sacred

Water is Sacred

Press Release

Thunder Bay, ON – Today is World Water Day, a global event to celebrate water and raise awareness of the 2 billion people living without access to safe water. This World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.

As the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) recognizes the importance of this day, we ask you to pause and reflect on the state of our sacred water. We call on you to consider ways that we can each make a difference. Collectively we can make a global impact on the health of our water systems. No matter how small the action you take, every action makes a difference.

ONWA is honouring Indigenous women’s sacred connection to water both at home and internationally.

Water is necessary for human survival, but for Indigenous communities it holds spiritual and cultural significance. Water is not simply necessary for life; it is a living spirit. ONWA recognizes the traditional and inherent roles of Indigenous women as water carriers and caretakers of their traditional lands and waterways.

“Indigenous women and girls have entrenched rights to health, healing, and wellness that must be upheld in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. The voices and leadership of Indigenous women must inform and lead the conversations around climate change and environmental justice.” Cora McGuire-Cyrette, Executive Director, ONWA.

ONWA honors Indigenous women’s sacred connection to water both at home and internationally. Follow ONWA today and for the rest of this week at the United Nations Water Conference where we continue to advocate for the right to safety for Indigenous women and girls who engage in water protection. Learn more at: https://www.onwa.ca/post/onwa-at-un-2023-water-conference

ONWA World Water Day Activities and Events:

• Honouring Water Promotion: ONWA wants to hear about what water means to you! Share a teaching about water or tell us how water is impacting your life, and your community. Why do you honour water? Is, or has, your community been under a boil water advisory? What is the significance of water in your life? You can share what this means to you by submitting a photo, video or write up and be entered into a draw to win a water bundle prize at www.onwa.ca/honouring-water
• The Sacred Gift of Water: Join ONWA tonight from 6:30-8:30PM, for a virtual gathering to honor the water and Indigenous women’s inherent roles with honoured Keynote Speakers Judy Da Silva and Leanna Marshall as they share water teachings on the sacredness of water and its connection to all that is life. Register at or watch ONWA’s Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/ONWA7

For more information and media inquiries, contact:
Andre Morriseau, Communications Manager
Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA)
Email: amorriseau@onwa.ca
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