The MKW Summit has convened thousands of participants over the decade, bringing together Indigenous Peoples, youth, and organizations working across diverse water sectors at the local to international human rights level. With past MKW Summit held in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rapid City, South Dakota. Participants have become partners over time, traveling from across the U.S., Canada, Hawaii, New Zealand, South America, Guam, Europe, and other diverse regions.

The 2024 Mni Ki Wakan Summit will be held in Mnišota Makoce: The Land of Misty & Foggy Waters, traditional homelands of the Dakota people. Also known as Minnesota, The Land of 10,000 Lakes. The Mni Ki Wakan Summit will encompass a confluence of 3 major currents that encompass critical work Indigenous Peoples and youth in the protection and advancement of their water rights. The confluence highlights the integral solution-oriented approaches and actions Indigenous Peoples have deployed to push back against water colonialism, water injustice, and inequity. The confluence of thematic currents illustrate the important work Indigenous Peoples and youth lead in an effort to protect Unci Maka, water, environment, and rights, and how many of these efforts are interrelated.

The Confluence

RISING CURRENTS: Indigenous Alliance Building, Partnerships, & Relationality for a Sustainable Water Future

Focus: This theme highlights the strength of Indigenous-led collaborations and global partnerships in confronting water crises. It emphasizes relationality—deep connections between Indigenous communities and water—as the foundation for sharing knowledge, strategies, and sustainable solutions. Through cooperative efforts, Indigenous initiatives are leading the way in ecological restoration and ensuring the preservation of water ecosystems, driving a collective vision for a sustainable and resilient water future for all generations.

INTERGENERATIONAL CURRENTS: Indigenous Youth Water Justice, Collective Action, & Water Kinship

Focus: This theme highlights the vital role of Indigenous youth in advancing the water justice movement, leading through collective action and advocacy for water rights. It underscores the importance of water kinship, which honors the sacred, interconnected relationships between Indigenous communities and water. By combining traditional wisdom with innovative approaches, Indigenous youth are actively shaping a future of sustainability, equity, and intergenerational responsibility, positioning themselves at the heart of global efforts to protect and restore vital water sources for generations to come.

SACRED CURRENTS: Transforming the Global Future Through Indigenous Water Sovereignty, Governance, and Justice

Focus: This theme underscores the transformative power of Indigenous water sovereignty and governance in confronting the global water crisis. It highlights how Indigenous communities are asserting their rights to water through sustainable governance practices grounded in traditional knowledge and cultural stewardship. By leading initiatives that prioritize ecological restoration and justice, Indigenous leadership offers vital pathways to safeguard water sources and ensure both ecological balance and cultural resilience in response to increasing global challenges.