"We are exercising our inherent rights to raise awareness about the concerns affecting our waters by being visible and conducting ceremony throughout our territory," says Wolske, organizer of Shining Water Paddle. Shining Water Paddle, an initiative by members of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, held its third annual ceremonial journey June 5 as they paddled around Lake Simcoe which has a shoreline perimeter of 303 km. Azhoonyang or Shining Waters is the Anishinabe name for Lake Simcoe, which is located in southern Ontario in the Territory of the Chippewa Tri Council, (Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations). Georgina Island is located in the southern shore of Lake Simcoe. The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation have been living under a long-term boil water advisory for years. A 2017, $2.6-million investment from Indigenous Services Canada was implemented to upgrade the community's water treatment plant, however residents in the eastern and southern part of the community still do not have access to treated drinking water.

A new copper plaque on the boulevard along Broadway at Donald Street aims to educate Winnipeggers about the source of their drinking water and the community surrounding it — Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. "For years Winnipeg members, their citizens, were able to … turn on their tap," said Chief Kevin Redsky of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation at the unveiling of the plaque on Friday.  The plaque pays tribute to Shoal Lake as the source of city water since 1919, when the Winnipeg aqueduct was completed. It explains how the project impacted the First Nation community and its relationship with water. "The 24-year boil water advisory, the sickness created bathing our own children, not being able to drink safe water," Redsky said.

A public water blessing ceremony was held Thursday on the shores of the St. Lawrence River at the Clock Tower in the Old Port of Montreal. The ceremony was conducted by Ukrainian Bishop Bryan J. Bayda, eparch of the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada, to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The water blessing is an important part of Eastern Christian traditions. It centres around the Feast of Theophany — or the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River — which is celebrated every year on Jan. 6.

Serendipity seemed to strike the participants in an Indigenous water ceremony in Niagara-on-the-Lake, held by the Niagara River — the ceremony kicking off a project that's all about just how important water is for us all. As participants raised their voices in song, rain starting falling on them outside the Fort George National Historic Site’s navy hall — which did not go uncommented on by the ceremony’s leader, Linda Manitowabi of Wiikwemkoong First Nation.