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Documentary with panel discussion on indigenous knowledge and rights of rivers

Ned Tapa Maori leader

The movement to grant legal rights to rivers and nature is rapidly gaining momentum globally. The Whanganui river in New Zealand has been the first river in the world to be recognized as a living entity and to enjoy the same rights as a living person.

Moderator:

I am the river and the river is me

In this film, Māori leader Ned Tapa leads a diverse group on a transformative canoe journey down the Whanganui River. This river embodies a global 'rights of nature' movement, won after over 150 years of Māori advocacy. The expedition includes friends, family, and activists from various backgrounds, including an Australian First Nations Elder and an international film crew. Each member, including the crew, becomes a character in the journey, united by the river's spirit and a shared mission to protect the planet. Through breathtaking visuals and meditative moments, the film captures the profound connection between humanity and nature. As Tapa reflects, the river's song symbolizes the interconnectedness of all life, urging harmony and unity to safeguard the Earth for future generations.

After the movie, a panel of IHE Delft staff and students will share their experiences and research on rivers’ stewardship and rivers’ representation in different parts of the world, reflecting on how the idea of rights of nature can help us to rethink our relationship with water. 

Film director: Petr Lom

The film is spoken in English and Maori and subtitled in English.

IHE Delft students and staff can register via The Source.

 

Join the seminar

On 23 May, IHE Delft is hosting the seminar titled Learning from Indigenous water science to re-think water wisdoms: insights from Australia. In this seminar, two Australian water scholars will share their reflections and insights about the differences and frictions between ‘western’ and indigenous water sciences.

A protest about environmental water allocations in rural New South Wales, Australia.