From the long protests at Standing Rock against the North Dakota Pipeline, cries of “Water is life!” spread from the Plains to become an international rallying cry. In a remarkable range of communities across the world water is not just essential but sacred. The Whanganui River has long been regarded as a person by indigenous Maori and now is recognized as such in New Zealand law. Water’s gifts of cleansing and renewal are ubiquitous in world religions, from the Ganges River to baptismal fonts. Like more straightforwardly empirical investigations, all these recognize that water is necessary to human flourishing.

In Michigan, we enjoy our fresh water lakes and rivers, and all the beauty, recreation, and sustenance they afford those of us lucky enough to live here. But recent years have taught us not to take this most basic and precious element for granted. The Kalamazoo River oil spill, the Flint water crisis, and the recent failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams highlight water’s pressing importance. And beyond Michigan, we cannot ignore the catastrophes already set into motion by a warming earth: the melting of polar ice, encroaching water on major population centers, and unquenchable droughts all threaten massive change, if not destruction, of our communities and environment as we know them. Water turns out to be one of the biggest issues we face in the twenty-first century.

This year Critical Engagements will explore the artistic, cultural, environmental, political, social impact of water (or its lack) in its programming and activities. From the Flint water crisis to the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac, from invasive species in the Great Lakes to water rights in deserts, we will join with faculty, student, staff and community experts to work on the wicked problem of water.

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