Discussion Questions: We Are Water Protectors

Big-Picture Questions
- What does this story teach us about water?
- Why do you think the author calls water “sacred”?
- What is a “water protector”? What do they do?
- Why might people be called to protect water today?
Connection to Science
- In our lesson, we learned about how liquid water formed on Earth billions of years ago. Why is it important that Earth has water at all?
- Why do you think water is so important for both life and culture?
- What do you think the Earth would be like without water?
Cultural Reflection
- This story is inspired by Indigenous peoples—why do you think Indigenous communities often speak up about protecting the Earth?
- What can we learn from Indigenous stories and voices about how to care for the land and water?
- How does this book feel different from a science book? Why do we need both?
Personal Reflection
- How do you feel when you are near water (a lake, ocean, bath, puddle)?
- What can you do to protect water, even in small ways?
- If you were a water protector, what would your sign say? What would you want others to know?