WHEREAS, the North Country’s Rivers are the lifeblood of the human and natural communities that make up their Watershed and surrounding ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, the Rivers have since time immemorial sustained an immense diversity of species all connected in a tapestry of interdependent life;

WHEREAS, communities around the world and across the North Country are legally recognizing the Rights of Rivers to protect the water that brings life to their communities; and

WHEREAS, we are part of a North Country Watershed, and thus stand in solidarity with all the human and natural communities that make up this Watershed, and all the waterways of the region;

WE THEREFORE RESOLVE, that by signing this resolution we are recognizing and accepting our responsibility to the Watershed, to respect the Rights of the Watershed, and to act as Guardians and demand that our local government recognizes the Rights of the Rivers and ecosystems that make up the Watershed and adopt local laws that protect these rights.

We believe that the Rivers and their Watersheds have the fundamental and inalienable rights to exist, regenerate, flourish, evolve, adapt, and thrive.

The Rivers rights shall include but are not limited to:

~    The right to a healthy connectivity between the River and land within its watershed;

~    The right to a maintain natural biodiversity, sustaining healthy and balanced ecosystems;

~    The right to be free of pollution;

~    The right to a natural cycle of healthy high and low water flows that sustain the overall balance of the River and surrounding ecosystems; and

~    The right to support life and the relationships that unite the natural communities within its watershed.

As Watershed Guardians we must honor our roles and responsibilities towards the Rivers and the ecosystems they sustain.

These responsibilities include but are not limited:

~    Respecting the Rivers natural cycles and processes;

~    Collaborating with our fellow stewards to preserve and restore the River; and

~    Nurturing reciprocal relations that foment healthy human and natural communities.

By signing this resolution we are thus fulfilling our ecological responsibilities towards the environments that sustain our communities.

In addition, by signing this resolution, we are also expressing solidarity with all the St. Lawrence River Watershed Guardians, who are advocating for the rights of the whole St. Lawrence River Watershed.

It is hereby resolved that we are adopting this resolution.

"Sustainability requires that the needs of all interrelated communities be respected. The use of rivers for water, power, and habitation will only contribute to a healthy world if is done in ways that heal and support natural systems, plants, and animals."

Emmett Smith  - Northern Power and Light

St. Regis River / Ahkwesásne

"The waterways are the veins of our Mother Earth and she should be cared for and respected as such."

Sateiokwen Bucktooth - Snipe Clan Botanicals

Rivers of the St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne Watershed