This paper examines ways in which Aboriginal residents of Taloyoak, Nunavut and Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories perceive aquatic-based risk communication, and how this information could be used to improve water safety. We argue that aquatic risk communication with northern Aboriginal populations can be improved by identifying and accounting for the consequences of colonialism in the context of aquatic risk communication and, in turn, decolonizing water safety programs north of the 60th parallel-Canada's North.