A systematic review of Indigenous peoples’ participation in dominant systems of water governance

Indigenous peoples’ rights and responsibilities to water are routinely undermined by dominant or colonial water governance systems. Although the importance of engaging Indigenous peoples in water governance is recognized, few studies have assessed the extent or nature of their participation. Here we present a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on Indigenous participation in dominant water governance, analysing 226 journal articles and 183 case studies. Case studies span 15 countries, with the majority (77%) from Western settler-colonial countries. Forms of participation differ across regions, and some decision-making scales are better studied than others. Few participatory processes give consideration to Indigenous values and knowledge, and even fewer evaluate Indigenous participation, making it difficult to determine whether such participation was meaningful. Participation in international water governance processes is evident but remains underexamined in the literature. Crucially, Indigenous peoples are influencing and reshaping dominant water governance at all levels.