Coming Together For The Future of Water & All Life
MKW Summit 2022
This year, on August 16-18, 2022, the Mni Ki Wakan Summit was hosted in Rapid City, South Dakota, 55 participants from surrounding Native Nations and urban Native communities converged in exploration of this year’s theme, “Coming Together for the Future of Water & All Life.” Indigenous water resource departments, advocates, researchers, and environmental organizations were in attendance. During the MKW Summit, co-facilitators convened Indigenous Innovation Circles (ICCs) centering Indigenous water values and a culturally-responsive community conversational model. MKW Summit keynote presentations expanded on Indigenous water governance, justice, and innovation, uplifting Indigenous knowledges and worldviews.
MKW Summit Sessions included: A keynote address, Earth Law for Indigenous Water Justice, and an interactive session, titled: Youth Voices for Indigenous Water Futures by
Dr. Kelsey Leonard; Dr. Crystal Tulley-Cordova (Navajo Nation Principal Hydrologist) presented on Navajo Nation water challenges, collaboration, and innovation; A keynote address by Sicangu Lakota scholar Victor Douville presenting on Oceti Sakowin Water Culture, Treaties, & Practices Today; A panel by Black Hills Clean Water Alliance on anti-uranium mining; A presentation on Tribal water resources by the Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance; an Indigenous Youth Water Futurities panel by Tokala Inanjinyo, Sicangu Youth Council, and the International Indigenous Youth Council-Oglala Chapter; and an Indigenous Youth Water Innovation presentation by Daryl Kootenay and Ariel Waskewitch.