What if we thought about the Colorado River not as a resource—but as a neighbor, friend or relative?
For many Indigenous communities, this way of thinking is not new, it is a return. For me, raised with Diné (Navajo) teachings, I learned early on that water is life. It is not a commodity; it is a relative. In Diné culture, water is honored in our stories, prayers and
daily practices, reminding us of our responsibility to care for it as a living relative. These teachings emphasize balance, reciprocity, and respect, Hózhó, reminding us that we are part of the natural world, not separate from it.
In the United States legal system, the idea of “personhood” already extends beyond humans. Corporations, for example, are considered legal persons, with the ability to own property and be represented in court. This raises an important question: if human-made entities can have rights, why not the natural systems that sustain life? Granting personhood to a river is not about anthropomorphizing the river, but about recognizing it as a living system with its own integrity and limits. It means recognizing the river’s right to exist, to flow, and to be protected from harm. It shifts our perspective from “How can we use this water?” to “How do we live in relationship with it?” Around the world, this shift is already happening. Rivers in places like New Zealand and Colombia have been granted legal personhood, acknowledging them as living systems rather than resources to extract from.
For Arizona, the Colorado River is at a critical moment. It is over-allocated, strained by climate change, and no longer reaches the sea. For decades, policies have treated the river as something to divide, rather than a living system with limits. What might change if we viewed the Colorado River through the lens of personhood? It could reshape how decisions are made and ensure the river’s health is considered alongside human needs. It could encourage long-term stewardship, asking us to think beyond immediate use and focus our energies and planning toward future generations. And it could transform our relationship with water, from control to connection. At Watershed Management Group, we work with communities to build resilience through rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and restoration. These hands-on solutions are grounded in a deeper question: what kind of relationship do we want with water?
Recognizing the personhood of a river is not a single solution. But it offers a powerful shift in perspective, one that brings together science, policy, and Indigenous knowledge. If we begin to see the Colorado River as a relative that has needs, limits, and a voice, we can begin to care for it in new ways. And in doing so, we take a step toward a more sustainable future for our region.
We all have a role to play in shifting how we relate to water. This can start with learning from different perspectives including Indigenous Knowledge, supporting policies and organizations that protect our waterways, and engaging in local efforts to steward water in your own community. Whether that means attending a community workshop, advocating for stronger protections, or simply paying closer attention to the water systems you rely on, each action matters.