The course has two over-arching goals. One is to learn ways to foster holistic connections between people, communities and watersheds, connections based on more than science. The second is to help facilitate and enhance, using both science and indigenous knowledge, the capacity of Yukon communities and First Nations to develop and implement plans for source water protection and watershed stewardship.

The course aims to increase community understanding of water management principles and promote acceptance of community-based watershed stewardship. The course encapsulates multiple perspectives and will include local indigenous knowledge and western science (i.e. hydrology, biology), in order to create a more comprehensive approach towards drinking water security and safety and overall watershed stewardship.

The course may be offered at two levels (200 level and college prep level) and the target audience will include water professionals (i.e., First Nation water operators and Lands and Resources officers) as well as the general public. Development of this course has been a collaboration between Trent University (Institute of Watershed Science and Department of Indigenous Environmental Studies) and Yukon College. Funding was through an RBC Bluewater Fund grant to Trent University.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100