
- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
The IJC is seeking public input on the Draft 2025 Review of its report, Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes. This is the second 10-year review focused on the consumptive use, diversion, and removal of Great Lakes water.
The draft report offers a preliminary assessment of how well the recommendations from the IJC’s 2015 report have been implemented and remain relevant. It also outlines new proposed recommendations for consideration by the governments.
A public webinar will be held on August 14 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. (EST) to present key findings from the draft report and gather public feedback. Written comments are also welcome and can be submitted directly to the IJC.
To access the report, register for the webinar, or submit comments, visit: www.ijc.org/pwgl.
Quick Facts
- The IJC has studied the removal of water from and within the Great Lakes basin for over 40 years.
- The IJC issued its first report with recommendations on the Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes in 2000, following a formal request, or “reference” from the Governments of Canada and the US.
- The first report was followed by a three-year review, released in 2004, and a 10-year review, released in 2015.
- The analysis in the draft 2025 report is informed by interviews with over 30 key stakeholders and subject-matter experts.
More Stories Like This
Interior Department Approves Expansion of Rosebud Coal Mine in MontanaUnited Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) Honors Street Legal Industries with Small Business Award for Excellence in Environmental Cleanup
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project Partners with Everybody Solar, Powers New Era of Sustainability for Zuni Youth
The Great Salt Lake, Water Injustice & The Promise of TEK
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher