Community Gatherings

The Power of Sacred Water Walking

On September 24, 2017, the Great Lakes Water Walk invites people from all backgrounds to join Indigenous Grandmothers, Knowledge Holders and Elders in a day of “walking for the water.”

The Great Lakes have shaped and influenced our history, economy, natural environment, and many generations of surrounding communities. Yet these magnificent bodies of water are far from thriving, suffering from years of neglect, abuse and degradation.

By sharing the Indigenous practice of honouring and giving thanks to those same Lakes, The Great Lake Water Walk is an invitation to pause and reflect upon what we can do individually and collectively to ensure the health and well-being of our waters for generations to come.

For thousands of years, Indigenous people of Canada have held the water as a sacred gift to be cherished and revered. They teach that water (Nibi) has spirit. Traditionally, women are the ‘keepers of the water’ and hold the primary responsibility to protect it.

A humble, yet extraordinary Anishinaabe Elder from Manitoulin Island, Josephine Mandamin, has dedicated many years of her life to this responsibility. Her first Water Walk began in 2003, with a trek around Lake Superior with the message that ‘the water is sick and people need to really fight for that water, to speak for that water, to love that water.” Each subsequent spring afterward, she began anew with a different lake, until all five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River were walked and honored.

These walks are now known as the Mother Earth Water Walks or NibiWalks and still take place each year in various communities across Turtle Island (Noth America). Following her example, a group from Peterborough, Nibi Emosaawdamajig (Those Who Walk for the Water), led by Elder Shirley Williams and her niece, Liz Osawamick, have organized the annual Water Awareness Walks in the Kawarthas for the past 7 years. People from all backgrounds who join these walks recognize this act as far more than a walk celebrating local waterways. It is a potent ceremonial activity with the power to change one’s relationship to water, and thereby to nature itself.

The Great Lakes Water Walk, with collaboration and guidance from Nibi Emosaawdamajig, seeks to honor these examples and share traditional respect and love of water with participants of all backgrounds from across the Greater Toronto region.

learn more here

The All Nations Water Walk will begin at the headwaters of the Grand River

The walk is intended to honour the water and connect all peoples to creation.

It is also a walk in memory of the late Violet Caibaiosai, one of the original Water Walkers.

Boozhoo, Hello.

My English name is Mary Anne Caibaiosai. I am bear clan Anishnaabe kwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island. I have received and follow traditional teachings passed from my Elders from my territory and from the Midewewin lodge. I currently reside in Kitchener, Ontario.

I am being led to walk along the Grand River, following in the footsteps of Josephine Mandamin, an Anishnaabe Elder, the original water walker. She has honoured the water by walking around the Great Lakes.

We will honour the Grand River by praying for, singing for, and carrying her with a ceremonial pail. We will follow our beliefs and teachings that water is life; has spirit and without her we would not be here. Our word for water is “Nibi” and we say “Nga Zichiige Nibi Onji - We do it for the water”.

This walk is not just a walk; it is a ceremony. We are walking to help the water. We believe when we sing for her, offer her good words and prayers, that she will become clean. It is important that men and women of all ages and color will come to walk for her.

If people cannot walk but want to help the water walk in some way, there are other ways to help! They can help organize fund-raising events for the walkers who will need: food, clean water for drinking, snacks, gas and accommodations. You can also donate to help us on this journey. We plan to camp and/or stay at other accommodations along the route.

There are traditional protocols to be followed for this walk and these will be given to those who commit to the walk.

Megwetch! Mary Anne Caibaiosai

Earthdance Global Peace Party 21

Theme: RE-EVOLUTION

September 23, 2018

Around The World

Each year, Earthdance International opens registration for local producers who create Earthdance events worldwide. All take place on the same days – some are festivals attended by upwards of 20,000 people, while others are regional or community events. An Earthdance could be a group meditation or side stage integrated into a larger event, or could even be a private party with friends coming together at someone’s home. All are united though our synchronized peace meditation. Please read through the following information – we encourage you to join us and organize your own event – more is better!

The nonprofit Earthdance International organization collaborates with local producers to raise awareness through events held around the world, anchored by our tradition of a synchronized global meditation and prayer for peace.