BLUE ECOLOGY AS A PATHWAY TO WATER RECONCILIATION: “The three infographics do more than summarize ideas. They frame a fundamental question: How can we learn to live in balance with water, land, and one another?” – Michael Blackstock, independent Indigenous scholar and creator of Blue Ecology
“The three infographics invite us to see the world differently. Together, they introduce water as the core intelligence of the land and open a path for people seeking an alternative to sustainability models shaped primarily by endless progress, consumption, and greed. This is not a call to abandon knowledge, innovation, or human ingenuity. It is an invitation to place them within a larger ethic—one grounded in indigenous values of relationship, reciprocity, responsibility, and respect for the living systems that sustain us,” stated Michael Blackstock.
WATCH THE WATERSHED MOMENTS VIDEO: “Blue Ecology: A Pathway to Water Reconciliation and Resilience at the Local Scale”- broadcast across British Columbia by Shaw Spotlight on their community channels
Legendary BC environmental leader Mark Angelo shared this testimonial with his international network: “This much-anticipated film on Blue Ecology, or water-based ecology to some, outlines an incredibly progressive and much needed ecological philosophy interweaving indigenous and western perspectives.” The Blue Ecology video was released to a global audience on World Rivers Day in September 2023. Communities in British Columbia and around the globe celebrate their local creeks, streams and rivers on the 4th Sunday of September.
STORY OF BLUE ECOLOGY BOOKLET: “Blue Ecology, compass for an attitude switch that points the way to Water Reconciliation” – released at the 2024 BC Land Summit held in Nanaimo
“From experience, we have seen and know why the situation on the land has not been changing for the better. We know what to do differently. However, what we know has resulted in NO CHANGE in my community. There is a way of designing communities and making decisions differently so that outcomes are restorative in nature within the urban development context. Blue Ecology is all about a restorative framework and mindset. Our call for restorative action is this: design in concert with nature and make better decisions around our landscapes,” stated Richard Boase.
BLUE ECOLOGY LENS FOR WEAVING BEST THREADS OF INDIGENOUS AND WESTERN SCIENCE: “A decade later, our messaging about the need for Water Reconciliation is standing the test of time,” stated Michael Blackstock, independent Indigenous scholar and creator of the Blue Ecology philosophy and methodology
“Integrating traditional knowledge and western science is often spoken about and rarely done well,” stated Katherine Balpataky, editor of Water Canada magazine. “These kinds of frameworks go a long way for helping people in the field or involved in land and water management decisions to understand how to integrate these pieces. Water is the entry point for communicating and understanding climate change. I am thrilled to share this story about Blue Ecology with our readers to operationalize that understanding.”
LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA SERIES: “Beginning in 2021, articles in the series track the evolution and progress of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in mainstreaming Michael Blackstock’s Blue Ecology vision for Water Reconciliation,” stated Kim Stephens, creator and editor of the Living Water Smart series
“The Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia is the steward for the Living Water Smart vision which transcends government. Imagine that everyone understands and cares where our water comes from and goes. That is our hope and aspiration. We created the Living Water Smart Series to celebrate the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. Michael Blackstock is one of those individuals. An original thinker, he is a thought leader who is unquestionably ahead of his time,” stated Kim Stephens.
BLUE ECOLOGY OFFERS HOPE AND REMOVES THE FEAR OF RECONCILIATION: “As long as you show a genuine curiosity, and the willingness to learn, cross-cultural conversations will blossom,” stated Michael Blackstock
Michael Blackstock believes that a message of hope is paramount in these times of droughts, forest fires and floods. “Rather than looking through a cumulative effects lens, I also see the concept of ‘cumulative healing’ landing as a way to give back to water and land. Rather than wondering how much more can we take or impact land before we need to stop, instead we should ask how much longer should we let the water and land heal, before we ask for more,” states Michael Blackstock.
WATER CANADA MAGAZINE: “Planet Reconciliation” (article published in the March-April 2017 issue)
“The journey to a water-resilient future starts with Western science acknowledging water for its central functional and spiritual roles in our world. Recognized by UNESCO and the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, Blue Ecology is the interweaving of Western science and traditional First Nations teaching and local knowledge. It is an idea whose time has come. Blue Ecology has five guiding principles – Spirit, Harmony, Respect, Unity and Balance – and aligns with the whole-system, water balance approach,” stated Michael Blackstock.
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE GETTING ATTENTION GLOBALLY: Facing a super El Niño, this Indigenous scientist in South America says we can look to the past for climate solutions
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, a Peruvian scientist of Indigenous descent, leads an organization that brings together modern science with ancestral Indigenous knowledge to address climate change, regenerate rainforests and support communities. “There’s so much space and need right now to look into our past,” the scientist said. “Into our ancestral civilization — Indigenous populations — and how they have already figured out systems to deal with these different changes in the climate and in the ocean patterns,” Espinoza explained.
MOMENT OF TRUTH FOR OUR CHANGING CLIMATE OPENS DOOR TO BLUE ECOLOGY: “Caused by hydrologic instability, recently identified phenomena such as atmospheric rivers demand our attention, the authors say,” noted Harvey Enchin, Vancouver Sun opinion editor
“You and your co-authors are well-known in your fields and your message is topical. It is an easy decision for the Vancouver Sun to publish your op-ed about Blue Ecology. And we will increase the word count,” stated Harvey Enchin in an exchange of emails with Kim Stephens. “You connect water, First Nations, climate change and reconciliation in a thought-provoking way. Atmospheric rivers is something new. So, I suggest you mention that the Pineapple Express is an example of an atmospheric river so that readers will get the idea.”
HUMAN-TO-HUMAN CONNECTION IS BEING LOST: “Our world seems to be getting more wobbly, more unstable, more uncertain, and for all sorts of reasons,” stated Michael Blackstock
“Blue Ecology came from my experience as a negotiator and mediator, navigating the intersection between resource development and First Nations interests. There is untapped intelligence out there in nature. It is on our doorstep, but we have not tapped into it. And we are tapping it even less because we are so focused on artificial intelligence. My observation is that we are being firehosed about AI as the solution to everything. Having the Indigenous perspective alongside the Western perspective would restore balance and make the world less wobbly,” stated Michael Blackstock.
POWER OF BLUE ECOLOGY AS A GUIDING PHILOSOPHY: “My focus on building networks is rooted in values that closely align with those of many indigenous communities. And that is why I am collaborating with Michael Blackstock,” stated Jane Wei-Skillern, network leadership thought leader
“It is all about storytelling. Keeping things simple; not getting caught up in academic theory or jargon. Making things simple and accessible is what is going to resonate. The more we can help people understand they have the power to do what we are talking about, right now, in whatever role they are in…and the more they open their minds to it, and the more they practice and exercise those muscles…their work will become easier. It will become more effective. And it will become more fun. Shining a light on that path is what we can help to do,” stated Jane Wei-Skillern.