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Date and Location

September 16, 2025
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM ET
Taubman Building - T-520 Allison Dining Room

Contact

617-495-8629
Indigenous Leadership in Protecting Water as a Fundamental Right

This Harvard Climate Action Week, join the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights for a crucial conversation exploring the activism of Indigenous communities in defense of water as a fundamental right. This event will highlight the courageous efforts of three inspiring leaders who are actively working to protect water sources worldwide. Key topics will include the legal and cultural movements to recognize water as a living entity with rights, the use of human rights frameworks to secure water access, and the growing momentum of Rematriation and #WaterBack campaigns. Through this dialogue, we will honor the leadership of Indigenous communities and their innovative strategies in the global water justice movement. 

Speakers and Presenters

Bryan BainBridge (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians), CEO of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council;
Charitie Ropati (Yup'ik & Samoan), Education & Climate Justice Advocate, Scientist and Water engineer;
Dr. Kelsey Leonard (Shinnecock Nation), Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo

Organizer

Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights

Additional Organizers

Harvard Climate Action Week