10th Water Awareness Walk in the Kawarthas
Event Details: Mother’s Day Weekend – May 10, 11 &12, 2019
Boozhoo! Shé:kon! We invite you to join us for the 10th annual Water Awareness Walk in the Kawarthas on Mother’s Day weekend May 10 – 12, 2019. Over the three days we will walk in ceremony around Rice Lake to honour Nibi (Sacred Water). Each day the walks will start with a water blessing – Friday at noon beside Bensfort Bridge (County Road 2) on the Otonabee River, Saturday at 7am at the gazebo on Front St. along the Trent River in Hastings and Sunday at 7am at the corner of Hwys 9 & 18 below Gore’s Landing. The walk will finish at the Bensfort Bridge late Sunday afternoon with a closing ceremony and potluck dinner. Walkers are welcome to join us anywhere along the route – please refer to the attached map.
The Kawartha Lakes Water Walks are the vision of Elder Shirley Williams and Liz Osawamick, who have shared Traditional Anishinaabe Water Teachings in the Peterborough area for many years. Mother’s Day weekend in May is a symbolic date for the Water Walks. As we celebrate our mothers and grandmothers, we also remember and honour our Earth Mother and her life-giving water that nourishes and sustains all Creation.
Walking for the water was inspired by Grandmother Josephine Mandamin who began ceremonial water walks by walking around all of the Great Lakes. We were blessed to have had her join us on many of our local walks. Grandmother Josephine has been an inspiration for Anishinaabe Kwewag and supporters to take up the call to bring local awareness to our communities about the sacredness of Nibi and to care for Her as much as we care for our human families. Sadly, Grandmother Josephine passed away this past winter. We will be walking in her honour this year.
Kina awiya, bizhaak! All nations and genders are welcome. In keeping with First Nations ceremonial protocol, women are respectfully asked to wear long skirts and men to wear long pants. Please come as you identify. We also ask that your pets remain at home- service dogs are welcome. Children are more than welcome but must be accompanied by parents or caregivers – and please be mindful that we will be walking along busy highways at times. Carriers or all-terrain strollers are encouraged for very small children. Please bring a refillable water bottles and snacks. Drinking water and limited food will be provided and breaks will be held periodically throughout the day. Police services and other support vehicles will follow the walkers to provide security and assistance. Please wear good walking shoes and weather appropriate outerwear.
Aambe! Come! Join us anywhere on the route, for an hour or two or for all three days. Walk with us as we honour Nibi, the memory of Grandmother Josephine, and bring a greater awareness for the need to have clean water for future generations and for all Creation.
Gchi-Miigwech – Thank you!
For more information about the water walk, please contact one of the following:
Shirley Williams, Elder and Spokesperson
Phone: 705-741-8298
Email: siwilliams@trentu.ca
Liz Osawamick, Lead Water Walker
Phone: 705-872-2541
Email: ozamik@hotmail.com
Find us on Facebook:
Nibi Emosaawdamajig – Those Who Walk for the Water
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Nibi.Emosaawdamajig
Event Location: begins on Friday May 10th at at noon beside Bensfort Bridge (County Road 2) on the Otonabee River, Saturday at 7am at the gazebo on Front St. along the Trent River in Hastings and Sunday at 7am at the corner of Hwys 9 & 18 below Gore’s Landing.
Event Dates: Mother’s Day Weekend – May 10, 11 &12, 2019
Event Start/End Times: sunrise to sunset – join us anytime during the three days
Event URL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Nibi.Emosaawdamajig
Event Price: free for all
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