Walkers draw attention to water quality issues

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The idea behind the now annual Mother Earth Water Walk germinated in the mind of Anishinabek grandmother Josephine Mandamin of Thunder Bay in 2001.

She was present at a Three Fires Sun Dance when she heard an Elder speaking of an Anishinabe prophecy that declared in 30 years time good clean water would be as precious as gold. Her thoughts grew from this, but what could she do to alert people about the constant despoiling of the sacred waters of Mother Earth?

It was in January of 2003 when, in conversation with friends and grandmothers about what could be done to spread awareness, an idea came to her-the grandmothers, assisted by others, would walk around the Great Lakes, one lake a year. To symbolize the sacredness of water and its importance to life, a grandmother would carry a pail of water.

Thus it was that in the spring of 2003 that Mandamin scooped a pail of water from Lake Superior in Michigan, and the walkers started walking. As the Water Walkers progressed, others along the way would join in to walk part of the way with them.

In 2004, they traversed around part of Lake Michigan. And on April 30 of this year, the Water Walkers were at it again, departing from Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario to walk around Lake Huron.

By May 11, they had reached the Nawash Reserve at Cape Croker. After performing the Water Ceremony the group rested overnight. The visit of the Water Walkers holds special significance for the people of Cape Croker. Just days after the group passed through, the community was put under its fifth boil water advisory of the year because of impurities in its water supply.

Early next day the walkers were driven down to the next starting point near Thornbury on the shoreline of Georgian Bay, and the grandmothers and their helpers hit the trail again.

They hiked through the city of Owen Sound on May 11 and spent that night at the Saugeen First Nation about 20 miles further on.

About 14 Water Walkers are taking part in this year's walk, women, men and children, escorting a grandmother swinging along with the traditional pail of water, and led by a young boy holding high the ceremonial eagle staff. They start the walk with the rising sun, and follow its course through the day, east to west, spreading their message-Water is life. Protect it.