Maizie Mermaid is a freshwater mermaid from the Grand Canyon section of the Colorado River. These mermaids called themselves Kuuyipai and their job was to take care of the river ecosystem. 

 

"Mermaids everywhere are care-takers of the oceans, lakes, and rivers and all the creatures who live there. Water is especially important to everyone who lives in the desert, so we took our job very seriously. But that doesn't mean we didn't take time to splash and play with our river otter friends! When humans came near, we could easily hide in the muddy waters. Most never even knew we were there, though we observed them from afar. "

 

    The humans who live in the Grand Canyon are still there today, but as the River changed, the Kuuyipai were forced to leave.

 

"Unfortunately when the Glenn Canyon Dam was built in 1963 it dramatically changed our river home. The warm, muddy red waters turned clear and cold and could no longer hide us or support many species there. The water is now diverted to support large cities and is being depleted. "

 

      Maizie now resides at Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo, Iowa where she spends her time performing and giving mermaid lessons. She works to share her sense of wonder in everyday life.

 

"Take the time to get outside away from the sounds of civilization. Be still and Listen. Nature speaks!"