A river is a magical moving flow of life itself. Preserving it should not just be celebrated on one day; it should be every day. Many native people have a saying that “water is life” (“Bimaadiziwin nibi” in Ojibwa), and they know that everything needs water to survive.  We need to protect it; we need to speak about it; and we need to envision what more we can do to keep our waters clean. We need to work collectively, share stories and experiences, and learn from one another. Let us not allow our water to be a garbage can (pesticide run-off, Line Five, rocket launch site, etc.). We all breath the same air. We all drink the same water. When will we begin to believe that, yes, water IS life, and that this elixir depends on all of us to keep it clean? Rachel Carson once said, “In an age when man has forgotten his origins and is blind even to his most essential needs for survival, water, along with other resources, has become the victim of his indifferences.” And Albert Einstein observed, “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.” So, let everyone begin. Talk to your family; talk to your neighbors; and speak to your city and township leaders about how to keep our waters clean. Get involved; support your local and regional watershed organization; and then remember to practice what you preach.

Sincerely,

Roy W. Sarosik

Board of Directors, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve

Photo by Ryan Franchi