Spirit Waters, a look at water regulation and Indigeneity in Austin, Texas--Hayden Juroska, Anna Jaud, and Deanndra Moya
Our podcast, Spirit Waters, is about Barton Springs, its history, cultural significance, and current protection and management. Our research was divided into 3 different segments, with focus on the present, past, and future. Segment one focuses on current water and land management. Segment two is about indigeneity in Austin and the connections between Barton Springs and indigenous communities. The third focuses on the intersections between government-scale environmental efforts and indigenous groups, and plans for the future.
Water and land management for the Barton Springs contributing and recharge zone is done by the city-funded organization, Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL). We spoke to Kevin Thuesen, the Environmental Conservation Program manager at WQPL. Currently, 30,000 acres are managed through conservation easements between land owners, and the WQPL. While this organization collaborates with land owners around Barton Springs, there is not much collaboration with indigenous communities surrounding their beliefs and practices. However, the WQPL does incorporate some indigenous practices, such as burning parts of the land for regulation.
Gary Perez, an indigenous scholar and 10th generation Tejano, spoke to us about his heritage and tribe history in the city of Austin, and their relationship with Barton Springs. Gary is currently researching the White Shaman rock art mural, which has a significant connection with their ceremonies. Coahuiltecan Native Americans hold strong beliefs that Yanaguana, meaning spirit waters, led to all creation. The 4 springs in White Shaman are also connected to the 4 stars in the constellation of Eridanus. When those stars are up, they look at them as the springs on Earth. Their ancestors have been paying attention to water history and natural flow for thousands of years, and that is highlighted by the White Shaman mural. With Barton Springs specifically, Gary was involved in saving the Barton Springs Salamander from extinction in 1989. The water from the Springs are consumed in ceremony after prayer is offered to the water. The health of the water is essential, and the Salamander is a natural antiseptic for cleaning the water. Its protection is important in keeping the water of high quality. Indigenous history has always advocated for protection of the springs, and Gary shared with us that tying people to the land and their history and sharing it with people is essential for their history to become known and respected by the city. Gary and his community are so connected to the springs and it is incredibly important to recognize this because as Gary told us, “If you don’t see the Blue Hole the way that we see it, then you don’t see us”. Recognizing and respecting Indigenous knowledge goes hand in hand with respecting Indigenous peoples.
Celine Rendon, from the Office of Sustainability spoke to us about her work with the communities in Austin and steps they are taking to make sure everyone is heard. She is the Community Engagement Specialist for the 2020 Community Climate Plan Update. Community engagement used to be reactive-based, where the policy was shared with the community to inform, but since the Equity office was established, it has shifted towards having meaningful conversations about racial equity with the people of Austin, and listening to and respecting the input of community members, rather than just those in positions of power. Sustainability issues are not just about the environment, but also social justice issues and the history of the city of Austin. Collaboration with the people who are most directly impacted by new policy and climate change are essential. Here, we’d especially like to point to Susana Almanza and her work with PODER here in Austin. Much of the focus goes towards Indigenous History and Land Acknowledgments. Efforts towards reparations are being made and the connections with indigenous peoples and communities that have been displaced are built and provide sufficient resources to make sure that equitable change is made. Acknowledging Austin’s own racist history and recognizing the root causes of these issues is extremely important as well, along with the acknowledgement of Indigenous history. Engaging and listening to the communities that have been hurt by colonialism and forced removal is essential for moving toward healing and climate and community resilience.
Current land regulation does not have the strongest relationships with indigenous communities, however the 2020 Climate Plan Update has a strong focus on building these relationships and allowing an open space for conversation so that the people of Austin, especially those who have continuously been hurt by displacement and erasure of history, are involved in the process of forming policy. Gary Perez shared such amazing and valuable information with us about his heritage and knowledge on The Springs and what they mean to him, and his community.
Water and land management for the Barton Springs contributing and recharge zone is done by the city-funded organization, Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL). We spoke to Kevin Thuesen, the Environmental Conservation Program manager at WQPL. Currently, 30,000 acres are managed through conservation easements between land owners, and the WQPL. While this organization collaborates with land owners around Barton Springs, there is not much collaboration with indigenous communities surrounding their beliefs and practices. However, the WQPL does incorporate some indigenous practices, such as burning parts of the land for regulation.
Gary Perez, an indigenous scholar and 10th generation Tejano, spoke to us about his heritage and tribe history in the city of Austin, and their relationship with Barton Springs. Gary is currently researching the White Shaman rock art mural, which has a significant connection with their ceremonies. Coahuiltecan Native Americans hold strong beliefs that Yanaguana, meaning spirit waters, led to all creation. The 4 springs in White Shaman are also connected to the 4 stars in the constellation of Eridanus. When those stars are up, they look at them as the springs on Earth. Their ancestors have been paying attention to water history and natural flow for thousands of years, and that is highlighted by the White Shaman mural. With Barton Springs specifically, Gary was involved in saving the Barton Springs Salamander from extinction in 1989. The water from the Springs are consumed in ceremony after prayer is offered to the water. The health of the water is essential, and the Salamander is a natural antiseptic for cleaning the water. Its protection is important in keeping the water of high quality. Indigenous history has always advocated for protection of the springs, and Gary shared with us that tying people to the land and their history and sharing it with people is essential for their history to become known and respected by the city. Gary and his community are so connected to the springs and it is incredibly important to recognize this because as Gary told us, “If you don’t see the Blue Hole the way that we see it, then you don’t see us”. Recognizing and respecting Indigenous knowledge goes hand in hand with respecting Indigenous peoples.
Celine Rendon, from the Office of Sustainability spoke to us about her work with the communities in Austin and steps they are taking to make sure everyone is heard. She is the Community Engagement Specialist for the 2020 Community Climate Plan Update. Community engagement used to be reactive-based, where the policy was shared with the community to inform, but since the Equity office was established, it has shifted towards having meaningful conversations about racial equity with the people of Austin, and listening to and respecting the input of community members, rather than just those in positions of power. Sustainability issues are not just about the environment, but also social justice issues and the history of the city of Austin. Collaboration with the people who are most directly impacted by new policy and climate change are essential. Here, we’d especially like to point to Susana Almanza and her work with PODER here in Austin. Much of the focus goes towards Indigenous History and Land Acknowledgments. Efforts towards reparations are being made and the connections with indigenous peoples and communities that have been displaced are built and provide sufficient resources to make sure that equitable change is made. Acknowledging Austin’s own racist history and recognizing the root causes of these issues is extremely important as well, along with the acknowledgement of Indigenous history. Engaging and listening to the communities that have been hurt by colonialism and forced removal is essential for moving toward healing and climate and community resilience.
Current land regulation does not have the strongest relationships with indigenous communities, however the 2020 Climate Plan Update has a strong focus on building these relationships and allowing an open space for conversation so that the people of Austin, especially those who have continuously been hurt by displacement and erasure of history, are involved in the process of forming policy. Gary Perez shared such amazing and valuable information with us about his heritage and knowledge on The Springs and what they mean to him, and his community.
