An Anishinabe Grandmother of the 3 Fires Midewiwin Lodge she answered the call of her Grand Chief Eddie Benton-Benai “What will you do for the Water?” Starting in 2003 she prayerfully walked all 5 Great Lakes and set into motion a Water Walk movement of precious and inspirational impact.

“Ahow suh gwuh Manitou, N’mishoo. G’daanis Biidaasige minwaa gwii ganoonik, semma zhaashi gii jaagisoo. wewenii gagwedaawaay yaan wewenii geh jjibwaa p’si taagosiiyaan. Apichi sinaagot ewe zhaginaashiimiwin. Me i ewe daash wewenii eshi gigoodaayan, Biidaasige is asking for help in saying what needs to be said in a good way, because the mainstream language is so difficult. and so she asks Creator’s help in what needs to be said, in a good way. Tobacco has been burned for Spirit to acknowledge and guide her words. She knows we must think as the water thinks.

In thinking like water, our personalities must also be that of the flow of water, to soften our hearts and minds so we can empathize with others without judgement. In other words, ‘go with the flow’, as the water flows we too must think the way water thinks, feels, hears, sings and above all: loves. This love is the uniter and inifier, we are all connected by water, each droplet is us, where we came from is in the droplet of water. When in the womb, we were living in water for nine months, Imagine! What did you learn? We came out in a gush to life, to go with the flow. It seems we stop the flow of love when we do not use our invisible gifts. Love is universal, without discrimination, without judgement, without preferences, but just plain forgiveness of all and for all.

We must look at our neighbors in a good way, as the water flows, so should our love for one another. Humbly, as Biiidadsige is your servant, she asks for forgiveness and help for all in bringing about the healing of our Nations and the Waters on Mama aki.. Megwech Baasindoowiiyek.

Me i ewe, minik from your humble servant.”

Two Anishinawbe Grandmothers, and a group of Anishinawbe Women and Men have taken action regarding the water issue by walking the perimeter of the Great Lakes.

Along with a group of Anishinabe-que and supports, they walked around Lake Superior in Spring 2003, around Lake Michigan in 2004, Lake Huron in 2005, Lake Ontario in 2006 and Lake Erie in 2007.

The 1st Annual Women’s Water Walk took place April 2003. Several women from different clans came together to raise awareness that our clean and clear water is being polluted by chemicals, vehicle emissions, motor boats, sewage disposal, agricultural pollution, leaking landfill sites, and residential usage is taking a toll on our water quality. Water is precious and sacred…it is one of the basic elements needed for all life to exist.

The Annual Women’s Water Walk was chosen for Spring because for the natural re-growth of our natural habitat, as it is a in time for renewal, re-growth, and re-birth.

A team of 6 – 8 Aboriginal people volunteer to walk and help with the everyday necessities such as having multitasked drivers to accompany walkers, food preparation, refreshment breaks, camp set ups, cleaners, laundry etc.

Public Relations Personnel have been involved thorougout by taking shifts, and also going ahead to communities to aid with the awareness of the walk. This includes the distribution of media releases, posters, pamphlets, advertisements, and meeting and greeting of the participating walkers.

The overall result after implementation is to gather other groups and/or organizations to participate in an all regional walk around the Great Lakes. The goal is achieved strength in numbers with other Aboriginal men/women in the Great Lake Regions. The anticipated outcome is to have all people aware of the importance of the water and gain support and the gathering of other supporters whom would share an interest in protecting our water through our walk. This event will be annually, with the intent of the Women’s Water Walk to gain awareness and support for annual walks throughout the region. This will entail support, recognition, and awareness of the importance of keeping Great Lake waters clean.

It is anticipated that eventually challenges with other organizations to come together each spring to adopt a common like to care and protect from further pollution.

Stakeholder participation presently resides within the Biidaajiwun Local. Biidaajiwun Local is a women’s group run exclusively by women to raise awareness of issues, pertaining the needs of Aboriginal women. Contribution factors involve the housing of public relation workers, volunteers, support and the participation of several women sharing in the protection of our waters.

It is the hope that other locals, individuals and organizations will come together annually to spread interest and awareness in their communities. This annual event is intended to gain support to raise awareness throughout the region.

The originality of this idea is uncommon as there are few who are ready and willing to take on such a challenge. This idea is original because of how society today is taught to rely on the technological equipment, and that the mere thought of a walk being more than 15 minutes is a task for many. We strive our own determination that this challenge is seldom being done elsewhere, particularly in our region. We are doing this walk on our own beliefs within our own aboriginal culture and values of the importance of our waters is very precious and sacred to our being, as it is one of the basic elements needed for all life to exist.

In doing so, we know that such an endeavors requires a certain amount of funds to help carry the walk over for a two month period, but this alone will not prevent us from carry out what our grandfathers have predicted. Our waters will be scarce and will be deficient in the essential means for our survival…our water.

From  Mother Earth Walk

For more information:  Josephine Mandamin