Tides of Change: Indigenous Women Leading Water Governance

Gwendena Lee-Gatewood, Indigenous Women's Leadership Network (United States)

Tides of Change: Indigenous Women Leading Water Governance explores how Indigenous women are guiding a global movement for water justice and sustainability. Rooted in traditional teachings, they bring balance, diplomacy, and spiritual awareness to modern water governance. Drawing from experiences within the Colorado River Basin, this presentation highlights how community leadership, cultural resilience, and intergenerational mentorship shape solutions to climate and policy challenges. It emphasizes that water, energy, and peace are interconnected, and that the inclusion of Indigenous women’s voices is essential to achieving lasting harmony between people, the environment, and future generations.