Saskatchewan Indigenous Water Advocates Visit Colombian Counterparts to Strengthen Ties

Members of the Indigenous Saskatchewan Women's Environmental Water Advocacy Keepers (ISWEWAK) have communicated online with five Indigenous elders in Colombia for more than a year to discuss protecting ancestral waters. The connection began when ISWEWAK hosted a walk in Saskatchewan last year to raise awareness about damage to North America's largest inland delta, the Saskatchewan River Delta, which drew attention from the Colombian group.

Last month, the Saskatchewan delegation, including elders and University of Saskatchewan professors, traveled to Colombia for their first in-person meetings with protectors of the Amazon region.

The group arrived in Bogota, where they visited Universidad del Rosario and met with the Dean and Vice Dean of Indigenous studies, as well as students. They then proceeded to Mitu in the Vaupes department, visiting villages of the elders they had contacted online.

A group of University of Saskatchewan students accompanied them, providing translation support in remote areas where in-ear translators faced connectivity issues.

Cari McIlduff, an assistant professor of community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan, noted that Master's students in global health assisted with translations during village visits. Elder Ethel Starblanket described an immediate spiritual connection with the Colombian elders, stating, "We connected, like at a spiritual level.

And the trust was there and we all came to that basic Indigenous focus. It was amazing. " Despite language barriers, participants shared photos of family members on their phones, fostering personal bonds.

On their final day, the delegation visited an unplanned community in the region, where they received a warm welcome. The hosts led them to the maloca, a traditional house of ancestors, for discussions. Youth from the community gathered fruit for a shared feast, demonstrating cultural practices of hospitality through food, as explained by community members.

Juan-Nicolás Peña-Sánchez, an associate professor of community health and epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan, participated in the meal featuring traditional Indigenous recipes, including fish prepared with local techniques. He observed the preparation process and shared the foods with community members.

The visit also included a guided rainforest walk with Elder Luis Enrique Llanos-Rodriguez, during which participants heard ancient stories about the community's history on the land.

Elder Denise McKenzie reported feeling a natural cultural connection with the Colombian Indigenous groups, citing similarities in beliefs related to water and land. The exchange underscores ongoing global Indigenous efforts to protect waterways amid environmental challenges. Future collaborations may build on these interactions, though specific plans were not detailed.