Indigenous Peoples understand human health relies on healthy waters

Abstract

Indigenous Peoples’ health is directly linked to the health of the waters. In Canada, First Nation communities are often the first to be affected by unhealthy waters regardless of Canada having a vast amount of fresh water. Indigenous Peoples view health as wholistic encompassing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being that relies on healthy waters. They understand that health is directly linked to the health of the waters and have been stating so for several years. Water has become a human right but colonial water decision-making continues to allow for water pollution ignoring the Indigenous worldview that water is medicine. How can you have healthy people when the waters are contaminated. The Indigenous worldview and knowledge can provide solutions in water decision-making to ensure the waters continue to live their responsibility of providing health to humans and all life.