Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
The question of who owns, has claim to, or controls the water of the Great Lakes should have a simple answer. But in practice it does not. Like many matters pertaining to American geography, it is rooted in a history of stolen land—further complicated by the current, sometimes competing needs of tribal, local, and federal governments; and private interests. Rachel Havrelock curates a conversation delving into water sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction that challenges the very idea of humans owning water.
This program is presented in partnership with University of Illinois at Chicago Freshwater Lab.
Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate
Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/ChiHumanities
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The question of who owns, has claim to, or controls the water of the Great Lakes should have a simple answer. But in practice it does not. Like many matters pertaining to American geography, it is rooted in a history of stolen land—further complicated by the current, sometimes competing needs of tribal, local, and federal governments; and private interests. Rachel Havrelock curates a conversation delving into water sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction that challenges the very idea of humans owning water.
This program is presented in partnership with University of Illinois at Chicago Freshwater Lab.
Donate now to support programs like this: chicagohumanities.org/donate
Explore upcoming events: chicagohumanities.org
Connect on Twitter: twitter.com/ChiHumanities
Connect on Facebook: facebook.com/chicagohumanities
Connect on Instagram: instagram.com/chihumanities
