On February 5th, something remarkable happened in Calgary.
The AquaHacking Prairies Challenge culminated into a Finale that was a powerful union of Indigenous knowledge and Western science, as five finalist teams took the stage to show how their water tech enterprises could tackle some of the Prairies’ toughest water challenges.
Five esteemed judges carefully scrutinized the pitches, challenging the ideas that were crafted over months of refinement.
In the months leading up to the Finale, the teams were challenged to adopt a “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach to their water tech enterprises. That meant learning from Indigenous Partners and elders on how to weave indigenous perspectives on water into their design.
Teams, often comprised of engineers and scientists, said it helped them to slow down. It taught them to listen first and to pay attention to the longer-term patterns observable in water systems, before designing and testing their solutions.
Participants were filled with an appreciation of water that goes far beyond its role as a “resource” to humanity, but emphasizing a deeper relationship and responsibility.
The energy was tangible – the event felt more like a celebration than a competition. It was a perfect storm of challenging ideas and collaboration, pushing everyone in the room to think bigger about what matters most.
Vicki Lightbown, Executive Director of Environmental Innovation at Alberta Innovates (AquaHacking Prairies co-host), had this to say:
“I work in innovation every day, and events like this remind me why it matters. The energy in this room is inspiring.”
For one day, this group of individuals from many different backgrounds came together to celebrate some amazing innovative solutions that reflect a deeper connection to water. . Everybody came away with a shared commitment to restoring and maintaining the health of the water that sustains us all.
As per Soula Chronopoulos:
“Being here in the Prairies is personal. This is not just about running a program or hosting an event. We have an obligation to this land, to our communities, and to our planet.”
Although only a handful of winners were announced, the five finalists now belong to a community of innovators that represent the future of freshwater.
And their journey is just getting started.
For more inspiring moments, look at the official AquaHacking Prairies Grand Finale photo album.
Want to challenge yourself? Change the future of freshwater today and sign up for the AquaHacking 2026 Great Lakes & St. Lawrence challenge.