I recently received an email from a friend who lives
in Wisconsin, which is in the northern United States of America. Margaret told
me about an adventure she was going to be doing. Margaret is a hiker. She is
joining the Mother Earth Water Walk, which was started by the Anishinawbe
Grandmothers.
The Anishinawbe Native Americans live in the border areas on the
northern US and south central Canada around the Great Lakes area. The Annual
Women’s Water Walk takes place in the spring, April and May, because of the
natural re-growth of our natural habitat. It is a time for renewal, re-growth,
and re-birth. This year the Grandmothers will be walking part of the Mississippi River. The women carry a bucket of
water to symbolize the precious nature of our water resources.
The Anishinawbe Grandmothers are Native Americans
women---the term “Grandmother” describes not just their age range but is also a
term of respect for their role and contribution to their tribe and culture. It
is my hope this article honors the Anishinawbe Grandmothers and the
spirituality at the heart of this walk.
I am not an expert on Native American culture, language, or
politics---so please forgive unintentional misstatements.
The Anishinaabe (or Anishinabe—or more properly Anishinaabeg or Anishinabek) are related to the Odawa,
Ojibwe,
and Algonquin
peoples. The meaning of Anishnaabeg is ‘First’ or
‘Original Peoples’. Another definition - possibly reflecting a traditionalist’s
viewpoint with a certain moral dimension - refers to “the good humans”, or good
people, meaning those who are on the right road/path given to them by the Creator
or Gichi-Manidoo
(Great Spirit). The Ojibwe scholar, linguist and author Basil Johnston, who
explains the name in a creationist context, states that its literal translation
is “Beings Made Out of Nothing”, or “Spontaneous Beings”, since they had been
created by divine breath and were made up of flesh and blood and a soul or spirit
- instead of rock, or fire, or water, or wind. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anishinaabe
The 1st Annual Women’s Water Walk started in
year 2003. The Grandmothers have been walking different lakes and rivers to
bring awareness to the plight of our fresh waters, which are endangered and
suffering severe pollution. They are supported by a group of Anishinawbe Women
and Men and seek out local volunteers to walk with them and to aid with
organizing and funding.
Their walk began in the Spring of 2003 by walking around
Lake Superior, then around Lake Michigan in 2004, Lake Huron in 2005, Lake
Ontario in 2006, Lake Erie in 2007, Lake Michigan in 2008 and the St. Lawrence
River in 2009. 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 website is fascinating. If you go to the section
called site map you can see the Anishinawbe Grandmothers’ journals, which tell
of their travels and insights.
Josephine Mandamin:
On a cold and rainy Easter Monday morning of April 21, 2003, we began the First
Annual Water Walk. Today, as we approached our destination, we were greeted by
a group of well-wishers and Mide supporters who provided us rest. A welcome
feast was set up by the women of Odanah, Wisconsin. The walkers in turn shared
the personal experiences they encountered during the walk. The walkers who did
the final stretch were: Mario Wassaygeesic, Violet Caibaiosai, Melvina Flamand,
Thecla Neganegijig and yours truly, Josephine Mandamin. In the Mide
Schoolhouse, we gathered for the spiritual celebration and kind words from the
Grand Chief E. Benton-Banaise-Bawdwayadun.
April 10, 2009:
“Never fear the unknown” words keep popping in my head today as I am packing
and hoping not to forget anything. Apprehension and wonderment creeps in from
time to time because the journey is so great and monumental to me because I
have never seen the St. Lawrence River other than in pictures. I do know that
it has Great Meaning to the ancestors and the people who now live by the river.
It is with such respect that I look to them for prayers and support. My father
always said that “one who is always fearful of going somewhere, never gets
anywhere” such is my life as I journey, always remembering my father’s words.
…The end is never the end. It is only the beginning.
The beginning of something that is not within our knowing. I rest in that
thought because I am always asked; - now that the Great Lakes Basin Walk is
ended, what is your next walk. It’s all about the Water, not the Walk. Who
knows where the Spirits will guide us?
Migwech to you all. Nin Beedawsige aka Josephine; your
friend and humble servant.
Thanks to all who supported the Mother Earth Water Walk
St Lawrence River 2009.
The website Motherearthwaterwalk.com presents various news
articles that describe the water problems so we can be knowledgeable advocates.
These are very complex issues and I recommend reading the full articles on the
website listed in the section labeled “News.” There are links to articles on
the Supreme Court decision in 2006 regarding the Clean Water Restoration Act
(which severely limited the functionality of the original law), deadly fish
viruses, mutated Fish Swimming in Tainted Water – Lake Mead, a report on
pharmaceuticals seeping into drinking water supplies, and an article on male
fish turning into female fish.
The Grandmothers are hoping to raise
awareness and promote coordinated sharing and teaching sessions in the nearby
communities and urban centers. They encourage us to contact our local
Department of Resources and get them involved by sharing environmental
information.
“When we are born, we start
with a beautiful empty mind ready to be given our beliefs, attitudes, habits,
and expectations. Most of our true learning comes from watching the actions of
others. As we watch our family or relatives, whatever their actions and values
so will be the children’s values and acts. If we see our families living a just
and peaceful way of life, so then will the children. If we see our family
arguing, shouting, and hateful, so will it be for the children. The cycle of
life – baby, youth, adult and Elder are all connected. If the older ones have
good values, it will be connected to the children.” The website Motherearthwaterwalk.com
If you would like more information contact:
Indigenous
Peoples Task Force: Mother Earth Water Walk
Sharon
M. Day,
Executive Director Indigenous Peoples Task Force
3019
Minnehaha Avenue, S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-721-0253
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.469119163125818&type=1
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