Op-Ed

We Are the Carriers of Water

© Angela Morales-Hare. Click link below for the article.

A conversation with Maggie Sanders, the Executive Secretary for the Nisqually Department of Natural Resources, about the importance of storytelling, the transference of traditional ecological knowledge and how to reclaim your voice.

Maggie Sanders has a commanding presence. That thought emerges and crystallizes within a few seconds of meeting her. She gives me a rundown of the projects she’s currently tackling and my eyes widen with each addition to the growing list. Stacks of applications, research articles and project proposals litter the perimeter of her desk.

It is evidence of her tireless commitment to studying climate change resiliency, which she doggedly pursues along with her full-time responsibilities as the Executive Secretary for the Nisqually Department of Natural Resources. As the representative to the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification (OA Alliance), my colleague, Melia Paguirigan had the opportunity to learn about how the Nisqually Tribe emphasizes education and outreach to protect their treaty trust resources, culture and community from the impacts of ocean acidification.

Maggie spoke to me about the importance of storytelling, the transference of traditional ecological knowledge and how to reclaim your voice. I hope she inspires you as she inspired me. […]

More about: Native Americans, First Nations, and treaty rights

Recent Posts

LA River restoration connects us back to ‘the life force of our city’

Los Angeles residents at a section of the Los Angeles River cleanup in Los Angeles,…

2 days ago

LAist: New study raises questions about heavy metals in fire retardants

Over the past decade, about 67 million gallons of fire retardant have been dropped on…

2 days ago

Meadow and watershed restoration in the Golden Trout Wilderness

Photo: Golden Trout Wilderness Seeking blue, seeing gold The Kern Plateau features a chain of…

3 days ago

First sighting of salmon in 100 years marks key milestone for California dam removal

For the first time in more than a century, a salmon was observed swimming through Klamath…

1 week ago

Developing state water roadmaps is essential

New turnout facility from the California Aqueduct on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. Officials say the…

2 weeks ago

Migration Matters: Breaking Down Barriers to Migration

Over the past century, humans have constructed major transportation infrastructure like highways, bridges, railroads, and…

3 weeks ago