Rivers of the St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne Watershed
"Because the water is everything."
Kahteraks Quinney Goodleaf - Kahnawake / Sudbury
St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne
"Our faith respects the interdependent web of all existence. We strive to be more Earth-centered and to celebrate the sacred circle of life which instructs us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature."
Rev. James Galasinski - Faith in Action of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton, NY
Grasse River / Nikentsà:ke
"Corporate harms are only growing, polluting our watersheds more and more. Recognizing the Rights of Nature helps us protect against industrial polluters. We depend on clean water, clean air, and clean soil!"
"Because it is the last free river of the Argentine Patagonia and its watershed goes from the Andes Mountain Range to the Atlantic Ocean. This river has a very important role in the Patagonian ecosystem."
"I live and work near the Headwaters of the Raquette River. It is essential to protect this extremely sensitive and ecologically vital river, recognizing that whatever happens here will eventually move downstream."
St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne & Muhheakanituck / Hudson
"Planet Earth is about 71% water. Of that, only about 1.2% is fresh water. Up to 60% of the human body is water. Clearly, all of life on this planet depends on water. And for all of us terrestrial beings, that 1.2% fresh water is precious. That's why we MUST protect the watersheds.."
Grasse River / Nikentsà:ke & Oswegatchie River / Kaniatarahòn:tsi"
"Waters and waterways have and will exist independent of humans. The question is do we continue to degrade them to the detriment of the web of life they support (which includes us)? Or do we accept our responsibility to live alongside them in the reciprocal and beneficial way humans did for thousands of years before we colonizers asserted a false dominion over all of nature."
Lee Willbanks - Talking Rivers Director & Previous Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper
Black River / Nikahionha’kó:wa
"Clean rivers are essential to water, plant and animal health. They are important for recreation and peace of mind. Polluted watershed cannot be cleaned up easy and we drink it."
Oswegatchie River / Kaniatarahòn:tsi & St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanenneh"
"Because we have a responsibility to the waters, land and all the human and more-than-human family that we live with and depend upon, to not jeopardize their well being and thus our own."
Rivers of the St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne Watershed
"Our societies are founded on the land, which has as strong relationship with the watershed. Thus, we are part of both land and water and we should therefore respect the rights of all."
Rivers of the St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanénhne Watershed
"All life depends on clean and healthy riverways. We are obligated to the native ancestors who once lived here and future generations to advocate for the Adirondack watershed."
"To balance ecosystems, and restore respect to other life-ways then that of humans."
Rachael Jones - Canton, NY Resident
Grasse River / Nikentsà:ke
"All water is sacred. My family lives at 1290 Conway Rd, immediately south of the 417 and are part of the regions headwaters. The 120 acres of the property composes catchment areas, established woodlands and naturalizing meadow - we are strongest standing together and the Watershed is our foundation."
K. Amanda Giles - Rurlroot Local Food
St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanenneh, South Nation/Raisin River/Kitigan Zibi (Ottawa River), and Rideau River
"Along with many others, I believe that the Grasse River and its watershed have "certain inalienable and legally enforceable rights to exist, regenerate, flourish, evolve, adapt and thrive." Protecting the Grasse River with passion, empathy and conviction is a true measure of our allegiance to a better future."
"A network, the mesh entire. Water performs and reforms connection, renewal. An infinite regress of ecologies. Time for progress. Sustainable. Tangible. Led by water, implemented by us. Together."
"We have a responsibility, to limit the harm that humans can cause in an ecosystem."
Cheryl Warren - Morristown, NY Resident
St. Lawrence River / Kaniatarowanenneh
"An unprotected river cannot withstand the challenges of the times. A farm reliant on the life of the river cannot, either, not when the river is threatened. We are all in need of a helping hand."
"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."
