Canada
Water Protector
As a child, Jesse Cardinal spent her days wandering through the woods, climbing trees, gathering berries, and swimming in the lakes of the Boreal Forest in her Cree/Metis home community of Kikino in Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 in Northern Alberta. Caring for the land wasn’t explicitly taught to Jesse—it was instinctual, something ingrained in her by the practices of her ancestors.

As she entered early adulthood, Jesse noticed, with concern, how gas companies were replacing natural landscapes by clearcutting the land and, in its place, putting up oil and gas operations. She was especially worried about the health of the lakes she had grown up swimming in. She began attending community meetings, urging others to prioritize water protection. However, in Alberta, Canada’s largest oil and gas producer, the idea of water protection was often met with skepticism and even ridicule. This made Jesse’s advocacy journey a very lonely experience.
Jesse’s path became clear when she attended a gathering organized by Keepers of the Water. The event brought together people from all over the world to discuss water protection. Seeing so many people who cared about the same thing as her moved Jesse to tears. She found a sense of belonging and started working with Keepers of Water as a volunteer. However, she soon observed that she and many other volunteers often did the same or even more work than their non-Indigenous counterparts but for much lower pay. Additionally, despite being labeled as an Indigenous organization, Keepers of the Water had many non-Indigenous individuals in key decision-making roles. Feeling disillusioned, Jesse decided to leave and, with others, start a new organization.


After having undergone a decolonization process, Keepers of the Water invited Jesse back as the interim Executive Director. In this role, she challenged the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and created a more just environment for their work.
One of Jesse’s most significant achievements with Keepers of the Water was the successful mobilization to protect the Athabasca River. Tar sands, one of the largest industrial projects globally, generated enormous amounts of hazardous waste that was proposed to be dumped into the river. Jesse, her team, and other organizations presented scientific evidence and raised international awareness about the potential catastrophic impacts on the water, wildlife, and downstream communities. Their efforts prevented the dumping.

Jesse believes that everyone has a purpose, a role given by the Creator, and for her, that role is to protect water. Over time, as she has continued her work, her connection with water has grown stronger, and she has gained a profound understanding of how vital it is to everything on Earth. Although the work is challenging, Jesse remains committed. She is driven by a deep sense of duty to leave a legacy for future generations, ensuring that the Earth is preserved for her children and their children.


Water is life is a phrase that encapsulates a profound truth. Every living thing on this planet requires water to survive. We are, in essence, water beings—our bodies are mostly water. If we fail to care for water, it can “die.” And if it dies, we die.
Ecosystems would collapse, human health would deteriorate, and food systems would fail.
As water sources become increasingly threatened by pollution, overuse, and climate change, the urgency to protect and preserve this vital resource grows. Ensuring the sustainability of everyone’s water supply is not just an environmental issue but a critical aspect of maintaining life and well-being for all species on Earth.

Consider these tips:
Personal
Start by understanding where your water comes from. Is it from a lake, river, an underground spring or dammed reservoir? Once you know where your water originates, engage with it directly by visiting the source. If that’s not feasible, connect with nearby water bodies like streams or ponds. Many cultures, including Indigenous traditions, view water as having a spirit that can respond to our appreciation. Take time to show gratitude for the water.
Reflect on how integral it is to your daily life—from using it for personal hygiene to cooking and cleaning. Don’t take your water for granted. An analogy to illustrate this is an abusive relationship: imagine a person who constantly takes their partner’s efforts for granted, expecting them to always be there, even when they treat them poorly. This is akin to how we sometimes treat water. We assume it will always be available regardless of our actions. Water’s relationship with us should be reciprocal—we must care for it just as it sustains us.
Here are some practical steps you can take to conserve water:
- Repair any leaks in your home, including faucets, toilets, and pipes.
- Reduce shower time to 5-10 minutes and consider installing a low-flow showerhead.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, or shaving.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads.
- Water lawns or gardens early in the morning or late evening to minimize evaporation.
- Apply mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.
- Select native or drought-resistant plants for your garden, which require less water and are better suited to local conditions.
- Use rain barrels to collect and store rainwater for watering plants and gardens.
- Check soil moisture before watering your garden. Water only when necessary.
- Clean driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of hosing them down.
- Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when the pool is not in use.
Share these water-saving tips with friends and family to encourage collective action.
Community
As a community, collective action can have a powerful impact on water conservation and protection. Here are some ways you can work with your community members to care for water:
- Participate in or organize local clean-up events for rivers, lakes, and beaches to remove litter and pollution.
- Host workshops, seminars, or community events to educate people about water conservation and protecting water sources.
- Invest in or volunteer for projects that improve water quality, such as river restoration or wetland preservation.
- Develop community gardens that use sustainable water practices, such as drip irrigation and greywater recycling.
Share Your Ideas
Share your ideas:
We would love to hear from you! Do you have any tips on how we can show gratitude to water? Please send them to engage@daughtersforearth.org. You can support all Daughters by visiting our website and becoming part of the solution here.