GALLERY | Water Is Life

IMAGE GALLERY

Where we've been, what we're doing and what inspires us.

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NYC Youth

New York City youth 'green team' learns about NYC's #1 selling bottled water brand and where it comes from. They understand that bottled water is not sustainable nor environmentally healthy.

Water Hearing Overflowing Crowd

We've run into the problem of people being turned away from hearings regarding Nestlé and groundwater sources, due to the hotly contested nature of the takings of our commons. Instead of pausing to find an appropriate sized venue (scores of people were turned away), elected officials moved forward instead, as in this case.

Up in arms in Rumford

Rumford area residents were up in arms when they found out that the Rumford Water District had been quietly meeting with Nestlé and changed their charter to accommodate bulk water sales without adequate notification to the public.

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Rebranding "Stolen Spring"

State should drop lawsuit that would grab river from the Penobscots

State should drop lawsuit that would grab river from the Penobscots

In 2012, then-Attorney General William Schneider, on behalf of the state of Maine, initiated a dubious claim against the Penobscot Nation, challenging their rights to the river water on their reservation. The Penobscot were left no choice but to defend their territory through legal channels.Schneider’s successor, Janet Mills, is continuing the litigation process with the backing of powerful corporate interests, along with the support of some municipalities where these corporations are based. The lawsuit’s intent is clear: to rescind the Penobscots’ inherent rights to the river that bears their name.The Penobscot people are an ancient riverine culture that has lived in synergy with the river for thousands of years before the disruption of European encroachment. Like other indigenous peoples of the Americas who have been subjected to genocide and conquest, the heritage and culture of the native peoples of Maine need protection and respect, not continued assault.The Penobscot should be able to live in peace and safety after enduring the multigenerational traumas inflicted upon them. Why are we engaged in such a battle involving our own Maine peoples? Why is the state poised to seize part of the Penobscot reservation, which has always included the river, using our tax dollars?Attorney General Mills has an opportunity in this case to champion the rights of Maine’s indigenous people. History informs us that the Penobscot territory has been reduced to its current boundaries and negotiated by the state for 195 years.

Principled Youth Leadership

Maine's 'First' Water Security Summit

Maine's 'First' Water Security Summit

Water Security Summit
A forum for action on water rights and security in Maine

Saturday, September 29, 2018 - 9am to 4pm
(8:30am registration)
Buchanan Alumni House
University of Maine
Orono, Maine

Hosted by: Community Water Justice, Penobscot Nation, Sierra Club Maine

Featuring keynote speaker Tara Houska and talks from several prominent water activists including Penobscot Sherri Mitchell, Nickie Sekera, Ellie Daniels, Landis Hudson & Ed Spencer. In addition, Michelle Sanborn of the Community Environmental Defense Fund will lead a discussion on actions communities can take to protect their water. Breakout sessions will allow participants to share their experiences and ideas.

TEDx Talk - Community Water Justice Cofounders

Statewide Youth Convergence

The Youth Will Lead The Way

Special Release Wine Fundraiser!

Special Release Wine Fundraiser!

Oyster River Winegrowers has graciously partnered with Community Water Justice to create a limited special wine release as a fundraiser for the work we do.

Check out this label! I think we ALL need a bottle of Justice served up, not only at every table in celebration but with the blunt end first in every closed door conversation where the water privatizers are courting our elected officials to give up our communal water legacy for private gain.

Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Implementing Act Task Force

Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Implementing Act Task Force

Observing the Tribal / State Task Force meeting happening at the State Capitol.

The Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act is in review and being acknowledged for what it is - a huge relational and legal tool used outside of federal law to the ultimate mistreatment of the Wabanaki.

Criminal and civil jurisdiction is being discussed here in this photo.

Transcripts and videos of the meetings can be found at Sunlight Media Collective.