As Long As The River Flows

Keepers of the Water
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As Indigenous People, we embody a remarkable resilience and unwavering determination, deeply understanding our profound connection to the land, water, animals, and plants. Despite the disruptive forces of colonization and residential schools, we are reclaiming our identities. The desire to learn our language and songs, participate in ceremonies, and reconnect with the land is a testament to our strength. As an environmental organization, Keepers of the Water witnesses the far-reaching impacts of the industry across our vast territorial homelands, naturally fueling our determination to protect them. Through this podcast, we amplify the voices of those who carry the Indigenous Knowledge, a beacon of hope guiding us towards a clean and just transition to a fossil-free world. Our traditional knowledge, deeply rooted in countless generations of storytellers, is not just a key but the key to the leading solutions to climate change. It is a testament to our collective history of resilience in the face of climate challenges. Keepers of the Water are First Nation, Métis, Inuit, environmental groups, and concerned citizens working together for the protection of water, air, and land. We acknowledge that all water is connected and that water is sacred. Clean, fresh water is invaluable for the future and survival of all of the life we share on this incredible planet.

  1. 2025-07-24

    Episode 35 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Four, Frances Mahon and Erin Riley-Oetll

    Episode 35 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Four, Frances Mahon and Erin Riley-Oetll WHAT This is part four of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices. WHO Frances Mahon is a fierce litigator. The core of her practice is defending people against serious allegations in a variety of settings, including complex criminal trials and appeals, police investigations, and constitutional government overreach. Frances provides legal services to individuals, families, non-profits, companies, and other organizations. She has appeared in courts and tribunals across the country, including frequent appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada. Erin Riley-Oettl currently serves as the Manager of Human Rights Law, Campaigns, and Advocacy at Amnesty International Canada since August 2023. Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who are committed to creating a future where human rights are enjoyed by everyone. No government is beyond scrutiny. Amnesty International uncovers the truth and holds human rights violators to account. MUSIC Song: A Better Future Composer: Miguel Johnson Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    18 min

  2. 2025-07-17

    Episode 34 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Two, Shay Lynn Sampson and Jesse Cardinal

    Episode 34 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Two, Shay Lynn Sampson and Jesse Cardinal WHAT This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices. WHO Shaylynn Sampson is a Gitxsan woman from Wilp Spookxw of the Lax Gibuu with Wet'suwet'en family ties and human rights defender. She has participated in the Indigenous Youth for Wet'suwet'en and re- occupation movements, and also in defence actions of the Wet'suwet'en land from the negative effects of the construction of a gas pipeline in the territory. She was also the Youth Engagement Coordinator for Indigenous Climate Action, an organization of and for indigenous communities, with the aim empowering indigenous activists in the defence of their sovereignty, land and environment. Jesse Cardinal is the Executive Director of Keepers of the Water. In this role, she has challenged the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and created a more just environment for their work. One of Jesse's most significant achievements with Keepers of the Water is the successful mobilization to protect the Athabasca River. Tar sands, one of the largest industrial projects globally, generated enormous amounts of hazardous waste that was proposed to be dumped into the river. Jesse, her team, and other organizations presented scientific evidence and raised international awareness about the potential catastrophic impacts on the water, wildlife, and downstream communities. Their efforts prevented the dumping. MUSIC Song: Resurgence Composer: Ghostrifter Official Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoRhkLdsX2OKwaEjwdZIQ8Q License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    13 min

  3. 2025-07-10

    Episode 33- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada — Our Truth Part Two, Sleydo' and Jesse Cardinal

    Episode 33- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Two - Sleydo' and Jesse Cardinal WHAT This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices. WHO Sleydo' (Molly Wickham) is the spokesperson for the Gidimt'en check-point on Wet'suwet'en territory. She holds the name in Cas Yikh (grizzly house) and has been living on and occupying the territory since 2014 with her children. Gidimt'en check-point has been an Indigenous reoccupation site since 2018 which has been raided three times by militarized RCMP, once on January 7th 2019, on February 5th, 2020, and again on November 18th and 19th 2021, as a result of grassroots resistance to the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project which would bring fracked gas from northeastern B.C to an LNG terminal near Kitimat. Sleydo' has a masters degree in Indigenous Governance from the University of Victoria and is heavily involved in the Wet'suwet'en clan governance system. Jesse Cardinal is the Executive Director of Keepers of the Water. In this role, she has challenged the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and created a more just environment for their work. One of Jesse's most significant achievements with Keepers of the Water is the successful mobilization to protect the Athabasca River. Tar sands, one of the largest industrial projects globally, generated enormous amounts of hazardous waste that was proposed to be dumped into the river. Jesse, her team, and other organizations presented scientific evidence and raised international awareness about the potential catastrophic impacts on the water, wildlife, and downstream communities. Their efforts prevented the dumping. MUSIC Song: Sanctum Composer: Scott Buckley Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    15 min

  4. 2025-07-03

    Episode 32- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada — Our Truth Part one, Chief Na'Moks and Jesse Stoeppler

    Episode 32- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada — Our Truth Part one, Chief Na'Moks and Jesse Stoeppler WHAT This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices. WHO Chief Na'Moks is a Hereditary Chief of the Tsayu (Beaver Clan), one of the five clans of the Wet'suwet'en Nation. The traditional name he carries is thousands of years old and, as part of their matrilineal society, was also held by his grandmother—who wore the very same regalia he wears today. The role of a Hereditary Chief carries the sacred responsibility of protecting the 22,000 square kilometers of Wet'suwet'en territory, a duty grounded in ancestral law that has remained unchanged both before and after colonial contact. As a vocal and respected leader, Chief Na'Moks has brought international attention to the violations of Wet'suwet'en rights in the context of unconsented resource development. He has spoken at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and Geneva, sharing his people's message about the militarized role the RCMP plays on their territory. Since 2019, he has appeared in nearly 100 media interviews, both print and broadcast, denouncing what he describes as a campaign of state-backed harassment, surveillance, and discrimination. Jesse Stoeppler proudly calls the Skeena Watershed home. After completing a degree in Europe he returned to start a family and raise two future leaders amongst the peaks of the beautiful Bulkley Valley. Mentored by Hereditary Chief and Matriarch Yaga'lahl (Dora B. Wilson) he embraces Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en culture and has been actively participating in title & rights and Clan governance as a member of Wilp Spookwx (Lax Gibuu / Gitumden). As a Project Manager for a multi-million trust fund, Jesse was able to lead the way in establishing comprehensive community planning, land use management and create his community's Indigenous economic development. MUSIC Song: Signal To Noise Composer: Scott Buckley Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    16 min

  5. 2025-06-26

    Episode 31 - Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa, with Waasekom Niin

    Episode 31 - Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa, with Waasekom Niin WHAT Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa WHO Waasekom Niin is Turtle Clan Anishinaabe from Saugeen First Nation and the Kettle & Stoney Point First Nations on the southeastern shores of Lake Huron. He is an avid paddler, having led 4 ceremonial canoe journeys throughout the Great Lakes to raise awareness about Water, Climate Change, and Indigenous sovereign responsibilities. His journey began in response to the Waterwalks, where he has been a protector and Eagle Staff carrier on 7 Walks. Waasekom is known for starting Picking Up the Bundles Canoe Journey, Niwiijiiwok Doodemak (Gathering of Clans), the Great Lakes Petition, Gganoonigonaa Zaagigan (The Lake is Speaking to Us), and most recently the Elegy of Ancestors. MUSIC Song: The Epic Hero Composer: Keys Of Moon Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusic License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    18 min

  6. 2025-06-19

    Episode 30 - Part 3, Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods, with Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis

    Episode 30 - Part 3, Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods,  with Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis WHAT Food sovereignty traces back to our original teachings, to learn about the connection between the land and our food supply and connection to community through traditional foods. Decolonizing our diet means incorporating traditional foods to preserve and nurture our mind, body and spirit and eliminate diseases that have long impacted Indigenous peoples. WHO Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis - Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis is a Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) instructor, researcher and writer from Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Dr. Lewis has worked with higher learning institutions within the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the areas of Cree Language Development and Instructional methodologies. His research interests include language and policy development, second language teaching methodologies, teacher education programming, and environmental education. For the past 15 years, Dr. Lewis has been working with community schools in promoting land and language-based education and is the founder of kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, a non-profit organization focused on holistic community well-being and co-developer of Land-Based Cree Immersion School kâ-nêyâsihk mîkiwâhpa. MUSIC Song: Flowing Energy Composer: Keys Of Moon Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusic License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    18 min

  7. 2025-06-12

    Episode 29 - Part 2, Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods, with Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis

    Episode 29 - Part 2, Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods, with Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis WHAT Food sovereignty traces back to our original teachings, to learn about the connection between the land and our food supply and connection to community through traditional foods. Decolonizing our diet means incorporating traditional foods to preserve and nurture our mind, body and spirit and eliminate diseases that have long impacted Indigenous peoples. WHO Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis - Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis is a Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) instructor, researcher and writer from Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Dr. Lewis has worked with higher learning institutions within the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the areas of Cree Language Development and Instructional methodologies. His research interests include language and policy development, second language teaching methodologies, teacher education programming, and environmental education. For the past 15 years, Dr. Lewis has been working with community schools in promoting land and language-based education and is the founder of kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, a non-profit organization focused on holistic community well-being and co-developer of Land-Based Cree Immersion School kâ-nêyâsihk mîkiwâhpa. MUSIC Song: Journey To The Stars Composer: Savfk Website: https://youtube.com/savfkmusic License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    19 min

  8. 2025-06-05

    Episode 28 - Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods, Jared Qwustenuxun Williams

    Episode 28 - Part 1 Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods, Jared Qwustenuxun Williams WHAT Food sovereignty traces back to our original teachings, to learn about the connection between the land and our food supply and connection to community through traditional foods. Decolonizing our diet means incorporating traditional foods to preserve and nurture our mind, body and spirit and eliminate diseases that have long impacted Indigenous peoples. Jared Qwustenuxun Williams - is a passionate Indigenous Foods educator who spent much of his youth with his late grandmother, immersed in Salish culture. After Qwustenuxun graduated from culinary arts, he spent a decade working in restaurants across Vancouver Island before deciding to move back home to Quw'utsun to take the role of Elder's Kitchen Manager at Cowichan Tribes. After more than a decade of cooking for his elders, Qwustenuxun now works as an Indigenous foods educator, writer, and consultant. Most recently, Qwustenuxun was nominated for and won several Canadian Online Publishing Awards; he was also nominated for the 2022 BC Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Award and led the first smoked salmon project conducted by the First Nations Health Authority. That proved that traditional salmon smoking techniques are safe and effective for food preservation. When he is not working on furthering Salish food sovereignty, Qwustenuxun spends his time with his wife and children on their small hobby farm in Quw'utsun. MUSIC Song: Chill Day Composer: Lakey Inspired Website: https://www.youtube.com/LakeyInspired License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

    20 min
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About

As Indigenous People, we embody a remarkable resilience and unwavering determination, deeply understanding our profound connection to the land, water, animals, and plants. Despite the disruptive forces of colonization and residential schools, we are reclaiming our identities. The desire to learn our language and songs, participate in ceremonies, and reconnect with the land is a testament to our strength. As an environmental organization, Keepers of the Water witnesses the far-reaching impacts of the industry across our vast territorial homelands, naturally fueling our determination to protect them. Through this podcast, we amplify the voices of those who carry the Indigenous Knowledge, a beacon of hope guiding us towards a clean and just transition to a fossil-free world. Our traditional knowledge, deeply rooted in countless generations of storytellers, is not just a key but the key to the leading solutions to climate change. It is a testament to our collective history of resilience in the face of climate challenges. Keepers of the Water are First Nation, Métis, Inuit, environmental groups, and concerned citizens working together for the protection of water, air, and land. We acknowledge that all water is connected and that water is sacred. Clean, fresh water is invaluable for the future and survival of all of the life we share on this incredible planet.

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