“Are you wondering what local government councillors and directors will learn by attending the Blue Ecology seminar on February 23rd? And are you curious as to how this learning might inform local decision processes for interweaving Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives?” stated Kim Stephens, Executive Director of the Partnership for Water Sustainability, and Co-Chair of the Watershed Moments Symposia Series.

“We have landed at the crux of two of the most important issues facing Canadians – relationships with First Nations and relationships with water – in an era when we must also adapt to a changing climate. Communities have a once in a generation opportunity to get our relationships with both right, and then start back down the river of time – this time together.”

“Watershed Moments 2023 is designed to inform local government elected representatives about BLUE ECOLOGY, a pathway to ‘water reconciliation’. Blue Ecology is a water-first approach to interweaving Indigenous and Western perspectives. Oral history, land and water stewardship, and inter-generational baton.  These are foundational pieces for water reconciliation.”

“Paul Chapman, Chair of the Watershed Moments Series, provides this context: “We essentially envision this as Blue Ecology 101 for recently elected municipal and regional politicians. But the audience will be broader than that. It will appeal to water management professionals and the conservation community that I come from, and other groups as well.”