Pueblo of Isleta, Rio Grande River circa 1907. Credit: 2016(2)-0039, Simeon Schwemberger Photograph
Albums, Collection, Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.

Land and Water Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the meeting will be held in the Southern Tiwa Territory on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Isleta and their descendants. We honor the land and waters of the Rio Grande Basin and all Indigenous Nations and Peoples who maintain historic ties to the basin and persist as stewards throughout the generations.

Remembering the Past  Into the Present

What to Expect At A Meeting of Sacred Waters

Join us for a conversation about the health and healing of our ancestral waters.
A Meeting of Sacred Waters 2026, is a global gathering to highlight Indigenous-led solutions in support of our ancestral waters and lands. Through the collective experiences of Indigenous Peoples from the US and abroad, this global exchange explores solutions to restore balance for the wellbeing of humanity and the environment. 

We welcome all those who envision a sustainable future, including leaders and representatives from Indigenous Nations and communities.
We invite all Indigenous individuals and groups who wish to share their land and water stewardship practice, knowledge, and experience, including: non-governmental organizations; local, state, regional, national and international governments; universities and research institutions; businesses and social enterprises; students; and others to attend.

The forum is interactive and includes:

• Indigenous keynote presenters from across the Pacific
• Indigenous Leader Panels 
• Case examples of Indigenous-led policy, law, resource stewardship and guardianship
• Concurrent sessions
• Small and large group discussions

Indigenous Peoples Know the Way Forward

Indigenous Peoples are leading systems change within their own communities and there is immense value in coming together in a synchronized effort. Systems thinking is inherently Indigenous. It is rooted in place-based knowledge and emphasizes relationality and the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. Rapid changes in climate are disrupting social, cultural, political, and environmental systems at every level—from local to global—placing our collective wellbeing at risk. 

Indigenous-led knowledge systems are needed to inform legal, regulatory, policy, and practical approaches to ensure an abundant future. 

About Restoring Balance Collaborative

Red Star International, Inc. launched the Restoring Balance Collaborative in 2023 to provide a global learning space for Indigenous land and water stewards who are actively leading systems change in their community. Over 40 Indigenous Nations, organizations, and communities across Turtle Island, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Australia, and the Pacific are represented in our practice community.

Our Partners

We would like to acknowledge the following for their partnership and support for A Meeting of Sacred Waters: