POLIS Project on Ecological Governance

Thank you to everyone for an incredible World Water Day celebration yesterday!

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for the screening of Nechako: It Will Be A Big River Again and for the strong turnout at our Water Sustainability Resource Fair.

From meaningful conversations to shared learning and connection, the evening reflected the importance of coming together around water- across communities, perspectives, and generations.

Thank you to Lyana and Adam, our partners, and all who attended and contributed to such an impactful and engaged space.

Find additional ways to get involved this WWD at nechakoriver.ca and 🩵💧

More updates from the International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board! The Study Board, co-chaired by POLIS’ Oliver M. Brandes, has just released its March 2026 newsletter sharing updates on:

• Progress toward the Interim Status Report
• Indigenous engagement initiatives
• Technical working group activities
• Ongoing work to understand water pollution impacts across the watershed

The IEKWSB was established by the IJC - International Joint Commission to build a shared understanding of water pollution in the transboundary Elk-Kootenai/y watershed and identify possible solutions.

📬 Read the newsletter here:https://ijc.org/sites/default/files/EKSB%20Winter%20Newsletter%20March%209%202026.pdf

💧New resources on water pollution in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed!

The International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board (IEKWSB)- co-chaired by POLIS’ Oliver M. Brandes- has released four new fact sheets examining water pollution and its impacts across the transboundary watershed.

The fact sheets explore:
• Water quality status and trends
• Impacts to human health and well-being
• Impacts to ecosystem health and cumulative effects
• Mitigation

Established by the IJC - International Joint Commission the Study Board is working to build a shared understanding of water pollution challenges affecting people, communities, and species in the Elk-Kootenai/y watershed.

📄 Download the fact sheets here:https://ijc.org/sites/default/files/V.4_%20Elk-Kootenaiy%20TWG%20Factsheets%202026.pdf

Learn more about the Study Board:
https://ijc.org/en/ekwsb

International Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board | International Joint Commission The Elk-Kootenai/y Watershed Study Board has released its interim status study report, covering the first year of its activities. 

🌊 Join us for our 19th Annual World Water Day Celebration at the University of Victoria!

This March 19th, we’re bringing together students, community members, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and local water champions again for a wonderful evening of connection, learning, and dialogue.

Details:

✨ Water Sustainability Resource Fair + free pizza (3:30-4:30pm - Michele Pujol Room, Student Union Building/ SUB)
🎬 Film screening: Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again (5pm - Cinecenta/ SUB)
💬 Expert dialogue & Q&A (Cinecenta)
📍 Student Union Building, University of Victoria
🗓 March 19, 2026
🎟 Free event: Register through the link in bio or https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/world-water-day-celebration-film-screening-expert-dialogue-tickets-1982836359929?aff=oddtdtcreator

Co-hosted with BC Watershed Security Coalition Borders in Globalization (BIG_Lab) Indigenous Internationalisms