November is Native American Heritage Month. We’d like to join others around the United States in using this month to honor the influence of Native and Indigenous communities in November and beyond. AquaTru recognizes the invaluable contributions they’ve had on this country’s culture, environment, and history.
Recognizing Native American Communities
Our nation’s first people have a rich, diverse history that is worth celebrating. In 1990, November was officially declared an important time to honor Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Island communities, and the influence of their heritages. Many of these communities inhabited this land tens of thousands of years ago, and this month is a good time to share and preserve their stories, languages, and traditions.
A Precious, Sacred Resource
“When you ask the question about why is the water so sacred, it’s not just because we need it, and nothing can survive without water. It’s because for years and years our ancestors have passed on traditional oral knowledge that our water is alive, and our water has a spirit…
Growing up and understanding how everything is connected to water, and how vital our waterways are is amazing in itself. My people still live off the land, we eat wild game, we harvest medicines from the lands, our waterways are vital in giving millions clean drinking water…No child should have to experience not knowing what clean running water is.”
Autumn Peltier, Chief Water Commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation & Indigenous Rights Activist
As water warriors for the greater good, AquaTru feels particularly committed to Native American Heritage month and the celebration and recognition it entails.
Although many Tribal nations view water as sacred, they have been disproportionately affected by lack of proper water infrastructure in the United States. As we previously shared, more than 2.2 million Americans lack access to basic plumbing or running water. Worse, Navajo are 67 times more likely than White Americans to have a home without some of the basic services and rights many of us take for granted.
Water is Life
Without water there is no nature, no Mother Earth, no life itself.
Lyle Yazzi, Dilkon Navajo Water Project
At AquaTru, we recognize that—even as one of the wealthiest countries in the world— many Native communities here continue to be impacted by water injustices. Everyone has the right to clean, pure water, and we’re honored to support DigDeep in their crucial work. Their Navajo Water Project is Indigenous-led and working to provide clean water to Navajo communities in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
Earlier this year, AquaTru donated $50,000 to support this project and the 30% of Navajo residents who currently live without running water at home. You can help us honor Native Americans all year-round, because every AquaTru purchase helps us support projects like DigDeep’s Navajo Water Project. Thank you, fellow “Tru” water warrior.
