The Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) is a national not-for-profit organization that is comprised of members from the public, private and academic sectors who are committed to promoting responsible, innovative and effective water resources management.
CWRA hosts an annual conference that attracts 350to 400 water practitioners over a period of three to four days. The theme of this year's 79th annual conference is "Honouring the Spirit of Water."
Water is the essence of life. Across cultures and generations, water is revered as sacred: a purifier, a healer, a symbol of renewal. The “Spirit of Water” expresses this deeper relationship. It reminds us that water is a living part of our ecosystem, one that sustains all forms of life and connects us to one another and to the land. Across our homelands, waterways have shaped our histories, our travel, and our survival, influencing how our ancestors moved, traded, and built community.
Honouring the Spirit of Water calls for gratitude, humility, reciprocity, action, and ceremony. Reciprocity reminds us that we are not only receivers of water’s gifts but also caretakers, called to give back in ways that uphold balance and respect. Every drop conserved, every river protected, every story shared is a way of honouring her with the respect she deserves for the care we are given.
Why Does the Spirit of Water Matter?
The Spirit of Water embodies the flow of life and the power of transformation—qualities we must acknowledge as we navigate a climate faced by environmental, social, and economic challenges. This understanding is a reminder of the need to listen to water in order to better embrace our responsibility to honour and protect her, the source of all life. As stewards, we are called to take collective actions that support healing, adaptation, and renewal, fostering a resilient future grounded in balance and interconnectedness.
Learn more from the event organiser.