River Rights Symposium

On the 22nd of March 2022, traditional knowledge holders will join legal experts, environmentalist, and community organizers to discuss how to create an ECOCENTRIC governance system for the region's waterways. The conversation will cover topics ranging from the environmental threats facing the rivers and watersheds, the global "Rights of Nature" movement, indigenous stewardship practices, and how to reframe the relationship between people and the rivers. The program will happen in collaboration with high school and college students, the future stewards of these waterways. The "Voice of Rivers Student Committee" will moderate the discussion and will direct the conversation during the symposium. You can watch the Rights of the River Symposium recording here: Rights of the River Symposium.

After the panel discussion, students from across the region will reconvene to create the "Bill of Rights" for the North Country's rivers. They will then present their final declaration regionally and internationally on April 22nd, International Mother Earth Day. This "Bill of Rights" will stipulate how we will PROTECT the waterways and the environments they support, RESPECT the river's fundamental rights, and FULFILL our duty as guardians of the rivers and the region's environmental future. Throughout this process the youth will be guided by organizers and lawyers from the international Rights of Nature movement.

We encourage you to share your river stories with us!

ADD YOUR FAVOURITE PICTURES, VIDEOS, AND ANY STORIES ABOUT THE RIVERS AND WATERWAYS NEAR YOU!

All submissions can be sent to the River Stories folder.

To register for the Webinar: Click Here!