2nd ANNUAL PEOPLE OF THE HEART WATER WALK
By Kathleen Smith, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
The People of the Heart Water Walk will join people of all colors, faiths, and philosophies to work together for life’s most precious resource, Nibi (water).
The Water Walk is conducted through Anishinaabe ceremonial protocol and ways of understanding the natural environment. In this work for the water, the women lead the ceremony, carrying a copper vessel filled with Nibi from the Sandpoint Lighthouse located in Baraga, MI, to the Copper Harbor Lighthouse. The water continually moves through the 1842 ceded territory throughout the day starting at sunrise and into the afternoon. The men support the women by carrying an eagle staff beside them as their protectors.
Water Walkers will walk the 90 miles along Gichi Gumee (Lake Superior) in awe of her beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula. With the assistance of Anishinaabekweg from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, we will walk together in a movement to inspire compassion and hope. We celebrate by bringing all people and communities working together for the freedoms that unite us for our most precious resource.
All are welcomed to participate as we bring awareness to Nibi!