We Are Water

For millennia, the ocean has nourished coastal First Nations—not only as a vital source of food, but as a foundation of cultural identity, history, and spiritual connection. These waters hold sacred wisdom, offering healing and deepening relationships with the land and all living beings. To care for the ocean is to care for ourselves.

However, colonialism and the erosion of Indigenous sovereignty have deeply disrupted these ancestral relationships. Today, many Indigenous and marginalized communities face systemic barriers such as socioeconomic inequality, geographic isolation, and a lack of culturally grounded programming that limit access to marine spaces and opportunities for stewardship.  These inequalities contribute to the underrepresentation of Indigenous voices in coastal governance and policy, where traditional knowledge and community priorities are too often overlooked.

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Compounding this is a growing mental health crisis. Indigenous communities in B.C. experience disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges, including suicide, depression, anxiety, and trauma, particularly among youths and in remote communities.​

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We Are Water is part of a growing movement to restore meaningful connections to the oceans, cultural heritage and inner self. Through inclusive, culturally grounded experiences, we expand ocean access, elevate Indigenous and underrepresented voices in marine spaces, and empower communities to lead in ocean education, conservation, and decision-making. These connections are not only educational and empowering, they are also deeply healing for both people and the planet.