The Indigenous Water Initiative is a program of the Centre for Respect of Life and Environment which seeks to promote understanding and articulation of indigenous perspectives on water and development. The initiative grew out of the World Water Forum in Kyoto in March 2003, based on a series of sessions organised by CRLE on Indigenous water issues.
The Indigenous Water Initiative website is available here.
The overall objective of this website is to give voice to the perspectives of indigenous peoples on water-related issues, including water rights, agriculture, environmental health (related to water), religion and spirituality related to water, and sustainability of water resources. The purpose of “giving voice” to indigenous perspectives goes beyond a simple appreciation of indigenous culture and beliefs; our objectives are both to empower indigenous communities through a sharing of knowledge and experience, and to enhance cross-cultural understanding and respect for different approaches to water and water development. Both these objectives have practical and tangible expressions in the realm of improved legal frameworks, agricultural practices, water quality, health, etc. The unique contribution of this initiative will be to engage indigenous peoples in expressing their own interpretations (perspectives) on water priorities and on what constitutes “improvements” and “progress” for their societies.
See the Indigenous Water Initiative website.
Related Links
Centre for Respect of Life and Environment
Water Law and Indigenous Rights Program, Wageningen University
