Nibi Mosewin Gii-Taasamong
Manominiiking – Rice Lake
Mother’s Day Weekend – May 10, 11 & 12, 2013
Boozhoo! The Water Walkers wish to invite you to join them for the 4th Annual Water Awareness Walk in the Kawarthas. This year they are walking around Rice Lake on Mother’s Day Weekend – Friday, Saturday & Sunday, May 10, 11 & 12, 2013.
The walk will commence on Friday at 12:00 noon with a Traditional Water Ceremony down by the lake at the Old Railroad Stop, Hiawatha First Nation. The walk will begin again on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the location where the walkers finished the previous day. They will complete the walk by late Sunday afternoon, back at the Old Railroad Stop. The total distance is approximately 108 km.
They’re also inviting you to the Sacred Water Conference in the days prior to the water walk, from May 8 – 10. This conference is a collaborative effort by Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations, the Sacred Water Circle, GreenUP, Trent University, Sir Sanford Fleming College and the Water Walkers.
Mother’s Day weekend in May is the symbolic date for the Water Walks. It is a fitting choice because as we pay homage to our mothers and grandmothers, we also remember and honour our Earth Mother and her life-giving water that nourishes and sustains all Creation.
Last year, Grandmother Josephine Mandamin walked with us around Chemong and Buckhorn Lakes. We are honoured to have her presence with us again this year. In 2003, she began what would be known as the Mother Earth Water Walks. She has since walked around all the Great Lakes in the intervening years, culminating in a North American, four directions Water Walk in 2011. She has been an inspiration for Anishinaabe kwewag on Turtle Island to take up the call to bring local awareness to our communities about the perils that face the waterways in our homelands. As a point of interest, the Mississippi River Water Walk is currently underway. This more than 1700 mile walk began on March 1, 2013, at the Mississippi headwaters in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, and will follow the river to the Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans, Louisiana. They completed their long journey on May 3 at Fort Jackson in Louisiana.
NOTE: In keeping with First Nations ceremonial protocol, women are respectfully asked to wear long skirts and men to wear long pants. We also ask that your pets remain at home. Children, of course, are more than welcome. Participants may bring their drums and shakers. Food and water will be provided and breaks will be held periodically throughout the day. Police services and other vehicles will be following the walkers to provide security and assistance. PLEASE wear good walking shoes and weather appropriate outerwear!
Bizhaak! Come! Join the walkers anywhere on the route, for an hour or two or for the day. Walk with them to help raise awareness about our water – it is essential for the health and survival of all Creation. Gchi-miigwech!
For more information please contact one of the following:
Shirley Williams
Phone: (H) 705-745-8312, (C) 705-741-8298
Email: siwilliams@trentu.ca
Liz Osawamick
Phone: 705-872-2541
Email: ozamik@hotmail.com
Georgie Horton-Baptiste
Phone: 705-872-1093
Email: ghorton.baptiste@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook: Nibi Emosaawdamajig – Those That Walk for the Water
Google map link for the Water walk route
