Honouring water: remediating an anthropocentric worldview

Lack of Potable Water in First Nations communities is often portrayed negatively
\nin the media. Framed as a Water crisis, the responsibility and failure to provide safe
\nWater for communities is solely placed on the federal government of Canada. While
\ncolonization and enforcing these mindsets play a large part in these issues, all people are
\naccountable for what is happening to the Water. This exploration of Water in First Nations
\ncommunities considers two worldviews: Anishnawbek and Western perspectives. Western
\nunderstandings of Water include implications of governance, policy, and set infrastructure
\nwithin First Nations communities that measure its success based on funding models and
\nmeet regulated standards. Through ending Water advisories in communities, a surface
\nunderstanding of addressing Water protection is framed through human well-being, and
\nhow to prevent further damage to human health. This perspective is very problematic when
\nconsidering Anishnawbek ways of being, that value relationships and interconnections
\nwith all living beings. Wateris life, it is a living entity, and has a spirit that must be respected
\nand honoured. Views of Water need to be reframed through an understanding of how we can
\nrespect the Water that brings us life and sustains us. We must reclaim the relationship
\nwith Water, by reconnecting community involvement in Water processes and to Water
\nitself. As a response to the current society, Indigenous women are reasserting their
\nrole as the voice that speaks for the Water. Through leaders such as Water Walkers,
\nthere is an awareness brought to seemingly transparent issues of Water pollution and
\nneglect, by walking around bodies of Water such as the Great Lakes. Water Walks are
\nacts of ceremony themselves, honouring Water through prayer, song, and offerings of
\ntobacco at every waterway that is passed, showing thanks and respect for the Water. In order to value Anishnawbek ways of being and living, it is imperative to reassess
\nexisting political hierarchy in water governance and establish inclusive processes
\nencompassing community voice, and the affected ecological factors of the land that is
\nbeing impacted through substantial infrastructure intervention. To address the problem
\nof Water, Water and wastewater infrastructure as they are understood presently, add
\nlarge amounts of chemicals to the Water, which often results in dead Water without spirit,
\nwhile undervaluing Anishnawbek perspectives and community involvement. Through
\nan investigation of Water practices in other cultures, and case studies that address Water through phytoremediation systems, an integration of Anishnawbek concepts,
\nmeanings, and teachings can be reflected upon in a new understanding of the value of
\nWater through architecture systems and design. In collaboration with the Atikameksheng
\nAnishnawbek First Nation community, located near Sudbury, Ontario, the history of
\nWater and community will be transcribed through story. Engaging with community
\nElders, Knowledge Carriers, and other public figures will help in understanding the
\nstrong connections with Water prior to Water facilities, as well as mapping a small part
\nof the land. Through a proposed framework that considers both worldviews, a new
\nunderstanding of Water and architecture can begin to amend the perceptions and current
\nrealities of Water purification in First Nations communities and restore relations to Water.

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