2023 began in a dramatic way with the first United Nations Water Conference in 45 years. Delegates gathered from around the world to put water at the center of the global discussion on healing our ecosytems, protecting biodiversity, human and planetary health and entering an era of regeneration. During the planning process it was not unusual to hear water workers describe themselves as moving at the edges. A sincere self recrimination seemed apparent. Water workers are by nature ‘go with the flow’ kind of folks and perhaps more was needed to illustrate why our colleagues in agriculture, health and food systems, heritage and really all sectors - need to pay attention to the role of water in healing our climate crisis and guiding the policy for what a regenerative future looks like.
The convening of the UN Water Conference at the midpoint of the UN Decade of Action on Water, served as a stocktaking moment for those engaged in helping nation states reach the Decade of Action goals articulated after a previous decade on research. It also helped bolster the connectivity of water focused NGO’s and advocates helping communicate to our colleagues in biodiversity and other areas the importance of considering the role of water in achieving all of hte Sustainable Development and related goals.
As part of the week long meetings and events, I was invited to participate in a ceremony honoring New York City and it’s relationship to water through the presentation of the Water and Heritage shield by the International Scientific Committee on Water and Heritage to the City of New York for the inspiration of the Angel of the Waters sculpture at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.
Angel of the Waters was designed by Emma Stebbins in 1868 and dedicated in 1873, at which point Stebbins became the first woman to receive a commission for a major work of art in the city of New York. Stebbins linked the new, pure city water flowing from the fountain to the healing powers of the biblical pool, and quoted John 5:2-4 at the statue's dedication, saying "Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called... Bethesda... whoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." - CentralPark.com
I was delighted to serve as a representative from the Center for Earth Ethics in NYC and also as a Sister of the Rose and Founder of the Temple of the Rose Solar Iseum, Water Carrier and as celebrant of the Temple of Eiriu community in Ireland. It was my great joy to bring water from the River Boyne and to speak a few words in the Irish language over the water to the crowd gathered. Those of us invited to read a few lines of the multi faith prayer as an blessing an opening to the UN Water Conference included Indigenous Turtle Island relatives from the Havasupai, Onondaga and Guarani peoples, as well as, Christian, Muslim and other Earth-based traditions.
ISCWC leadership joined Grandmother Mona Polacca in AZ for the historic designation of protection over the Sípàapu Spring in the Grand Canyon with the support of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
On behalf of the various Indigenous tribes associated with the Colorado Plateau, representatives from the International Committee On Monuments and Sites International Science Committee (ICOMOS ISC), a non-governmental international organization dedicated to the conservation of the world’s monuments and sites, ICOMOS ISC will meet with Black Mesa Trust (BMT), a Hopi Grass Roots Organization, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, to recognize the Sípàapuni as an important cultural place and award it the ICOMOS ISC Water and Heritage Shield.
In receiving the ICOMOS ISC Water and Heritage Shield, the Sípàapu will become the first in the world to receive this honor.
The purpose of the Shield is to help the public become aware of the significance of water and indigenous sacred sites all over the world and the right to cultural and historical memory.
”You came from far away to honor Sípàapu as culturally significant and worthy of protection.” Said Vernon Masayesva, BMT Founder and Director. “You have put an arrow in our quiver to be used to save Sípàapu, and other sites in the Lower Colorado River ecosystem.”
Vernon Masayesva of the Black Mesa Trust (BMT) speaking in support of Sípàapu Heritage Shield Award, BMT Press Release:
You are here to honor us by recognizing Sípàapu as an important traditional cultural place. In so doing, you are honoring Indigenous peoples all over the world. Each have their Sípàapu, just as you have your place of emergence…
My final message is: mankind needs to embrace a new paradigm about the nature of water. A paradigm that mankind is not Master of Water, water is the master, so we must learn to work with and respect water.
Modern scientists see water crisis happening all over the world. They believe it is caused by climate change. Hopi believe it is a symptom of Earth Mother who is ill and crying out for help. Yet, the world leaders, including our President, are not listening.An elder said no one is going to come and save you. Look into a mirror and you will see the person you are waiting for. The Hopi tribe is a tiny group of people, yet we have much to share. But who will listen? We are just a grain of sand on a beach, yet our religious practitioners are trying their best to keep the fire of hope burning.
Buddha said, “a thousand candles can be lit by a single candle”. You have brought your candle to join us in our mission of saving sacred sites all over the world. Thank you for coming to honor us.
Learn More at www.blackmesatrust.org