"The Lake Is Singing My Song"
Updated April 21, 2022
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| Acrylic prayer canvas by Nakawe Anishinaabe painter Simone McLeod from Pasqua Nation, Saskatchewan. Water is the life blood of the earth and everything that lives on, above, and underneath it. © 2016 Simone McLeod. |
Boozhoo!
Inspired by a unique, deep, and turbulent love story that was born
at the shores of Lake Superior in 2015, I share today a story of the spirit of Nibi the water and
Gichigamiin the Great Lakes, of the thirteen Omàmiwinini Anishinaabe
grandmothers and the revival of the ancient Mide water song, and, last but not
least, of the late Josephine Mandamin and the Mother Earth Water Walkers. My
story today is a story of tradition, dedication, love and hope, aspiring to celebrate the spirit and legacy of
our People and our Ancestors and the life-giving power of Nibi itself that
nourishes us all.
The story is dedicated to the legacy of Nookomis (Grandmother) Josephine Mandamin, Ojibwe Anishinaabe catfish clan (February 21, 1942 - February 22, 2019)
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The story is dedicated to the legacy of Nookomis (Grandmother) Josephine Mandamin, Ojibwe Anishinaabe catfish clan (February 21, 1942 - February 22, 2019)
"She Walked for Nibi, the Waters"
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== A Shared Ancestry ==
For six centuries or more, the Great Lakes basin, whose abundant waters, ebbing and flowing with the seasons, feed into the North American continent and the Atlantic Ocean, has been the home of our distant ancestors, who for generations have lived close to the water’s edge to survive.
Since the days when these Algonquian speaking immigrants first came to this region of bountiful freshwater lakes and islands and rivers and forests, its waters have nourished many generations of the People, physically as well as spiritually.
Along with water, all kinds of fish species, turtle spirits, snakes, muskrats, water birds, mermen and mermaids, underwater panthers, and a myriad of other water creatures, play a central role in the traditional narrations and creation stories for several Anishinaabe Nations that surround the Lakes.
From time immemorial, these proud Lake People with a shared ancestry go by the names of:
- Ojibweg (Ojibwe),
- Misizaagiwininiwag (Mississauga),
- Bodéwadmik (Potawatomi),
- Odaawaag (Odawa),
- Omàmiwininiwak (Algonquin),
- Odishkwaagamiig (N'biising, Nipissing), and
- Mamaceqtaw (Menominee).
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| Anishinaabe Nibi Ogichidaakweg singing, drumming, and rattling at the shore of Adikameg Minis (WhiteFish Island) guiding Anishinaabe canoeists from the US side to Canadian shore. Robinson Huron Treaty gathering, Waatebagaa-giizis (September) 2016. Photo by Sherry Boissoneau. |
== Nibi, Spirit of the Water ==
By way of a new blog series called "REFLECTIONS OF THE GREAT LAKES," accompanied by images of fine art and original works of jewelry, we aspire to capture, and pay homage to, the spirit and beauty and majesty of GICHIGAMIIN, the Great Seas of the Anishinaabe People. A natural resource of immense proportions once respected, revered and held sacred, yet nowadays unappreciated by many...
Over the course of a great many decennia the lakes' ecosystem has largely been misused and abused by commercial fishery and timber companies, as well as by power plants and various international chemical and oil companies and corporations - and of course the tourist industry.
It is our belief that, since there is no life without water, the waters of the Great Lakes should never be taken for granted, nor the water that fills the wells, the inland lakes and ponds, the rivers, and the oceans. Nibi is not merely an element but a soul (spirit) who gives us beauty, growth, generosity. Nibi gives us peace. The time has come for us to honor the debt we have toward Nibi and acknowledge her primacy from our hearts and our minds.
It's time we assume our responsibilities. It's time we learn to honor the waters again.
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| ©2003 Zhaawano Giizhik |
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"AT THE LAKE SINGING OUR SONG"
"Jiigewe’am naawij, nagawawin jiimaan,
Bimaawadaaso wiijiiw giigoonh, bineshiinhyag,
Megwe digowag, megwa anwaatin ge.
Nagamowin nibi nagamon,
Agamiig nagamawin nagamon."
"Paddling along on the lake in our canoe,
Traveling along with the fishes, the birds,
Among the waves, in calm waters too.
Singing our water song,
At the lake singing our song."
-Ojibwe Lake Chant
~~ A Love Poem ~~
DOES A CANOE HAVE DREAMS?
I know this much:
A jiimaan is made of birch bark.
Birches are spirits capable of dreaming
Therefore I believe my jiimaan can dream.
Perhaps one day, soon
my jimaan will dream a dream as fluid
as the rivers and streams crossing Nimaamaa-aki
and as strong as the roots of the cedar trees
standing tall on the rocky banks of Gichi-gami.
As if powered by a mysterious force beyond,
this dream steers my jiimaan along scarlike slopes
and enchanted beaches of the finest multi-colored sand
along places filled with mysteries and lessons and songs.
Through the roar of rushing waves that sing rhythmic songs
of magic tales washing ashore since the dawn of times
Haw sa, my jiimaan will take me to that hidden place
That special cove I can finally call my home.
Perhaps one day, soon
my jimaan will dream a dream as fluid
Haw sa, my jiimaan will take me to that hidden place
- ©Zhaawano, 11-28-2013
________________________________________________________________________________== Origin and pronunciation of the word nibi ==
Nibi, which is Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) for water, depending on the region, is pronounced, nih-BEH or ni-PIH. The first pronunciation can be heard among the Nakawe-Ojibweg (Saulteaux) of western Ontario while the latter is favored by Ojibweg in, for exampe, Minnesota.
A few years ago my friend Michel Sutherland from Fort Albany, Nishnawbe-aski in Northeastern Ontario, related to me the following dibaajimowin (true life story) about the etymology of the word nibi. According to this Anishinini (Oji-Cree) story, the word nibi derives from the old form b'he; later on, throughout time, it evolved in "nibi": Niin, or ni= my; b'he = water. My water.
"My uncle and I, in 1981, went spring goose hunt, 8 kilometers south from our community. He watched my careful meditations in the mornings, all day, and in the evenings, I was not aware that was what he was doing, but sharing life together was what we were doing. After his long walk, kneeling down near the wood stove I handed him a cup of water. Quietly staring at the stove, he said, water is life. You are water, everything around us is made of water, touch a tree as you would touch your own body, it is solid but this these containers carry water, this what our ancestors believe. Now-a-days, we say 'Nibi' or 'Ni'pi' for water, but in the old days when our ancestor wore no clothing but a strap and a breach called water 'B'he' and I tried to pronounced it 'Pi' or 'Pe' and he said no, not that way and again pronounced it properly 'B'he,' later on , in the time, after we met the White people is when we started to say 'Ne'b'he' to mean: my water. Then later, it was pronounced 'Ni'pi.'"
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== Nibi Waaboo, the Water Song ==
The spirit of water is addressed to in prayer and a small amount of nibi is shared with everyone attending the ceremony. The water is no longer just nibi – it is then perceived as MIDE-WAABOO: sacred medicine water.
After a period of one hundred and fifty years in which the NIBI WAABOO had gone underground - and perhaps not been performed at all -, a group of women from the Omàmiwininiwak or Algonquin First Nation in Quebec decided to revitalize the NIBI WAABOO. Among the participants of the ceremony, which took place in February 2002 in Kitigan‑zibi reserve, were Omàmiwinini (Algonquin) women and women of mixed blood, thirteen in total. These thirteen women represented all women of all four races of the world.
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One of the women was a grandmother who in 1998 had received a vision of the ancient Nibi Waaboo. After having followed a four year-lasting spiritual journey in order to bring the rebirth of the ceremony to completion, she decided to remain anonymous. Since then the other twelve participants are the guardians of the ceremony, charged with passing on the ceremony to all the women of the world.
The MIDE WAABOO is particularly held each year at the thirteenth moon - which is the moon at the end of February/March. It is established that the water song, like all women's ceremonies, shall be sung at the new moon and only by women. It is to be sung one time for each of the seven directions - east, south, west, north, the skies, the earth, and within oneself. According to the vision of the Omàmiwinini grandmother that led to the renewed water song ceremony, thirteen grandmothers stood on the ice of a lake in order to absorb the teachings from the water under their feet.
So sacred are the words that make up the nibi waaboo song, that - although it is deemed very important that the song is being shared throughout the world - they are supposed not to be shared through the Internet. Therefore we will not reveal the words of the song on our blog.*
Who knows, one day one of us, or both, might create our own interpretation of the image of the thirteen grandmothers standing on the ice as they receive the original water ceremony - be it in the form of a panting, a pencil drawing, or a piece of jewelry...
Any additions, corrections or suggestions for improvement of the above explanation of the water song ceremony are welcome.
* There exists a more recent version of the Water Song, related by Menasekwe (Beatrice Jackson) of the Ojibwe Migizi doodem. This song, called Nibi Nagamowin, was written by Waabanikwe (Doreen Day) of the Ojibwe Waabizheshi doodem at the request of her grandson. The song is sung like a lullaby and without using clapper sticks or shakers or hand drums. The words of the Nibi Nagamowin can be shared freely without any restrictions; click here to hear the song.
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Reflecting on a prophecy by Three Fires Midewiwin Elder Edward Benton Binesi that by 2030 an ounce of water will cost the same as an ounce
of gold, Thunder Bay-based Elder Josephine Mandamin, a
member of Anishinaabe Awaazisii doodem (the Ojibwe Catfish Clan) from
Manitoulin Island, with a pail of the sacred copper
filled with water in one hand and an eagle feather staff or a bear staff in the
other, took on a sacred walk which will still be talked about by many
generations to come. For the last 16 years Josephine earned high praise and
deep respect by traversing on foot over 25,000 kilometers around each of the Great
Lakes - which is, mind you, equal to nearly half the
earth's circumference. Ogimaa-Nibi-Ogichidaakwe (Chief Water Warrior Woman) Josephine is
known all around the world as the “Water Walker.”
In 2003, she and her sister Melvina Flamand-Trudeau from Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation Reserve of Manitoulin Island initiated the Mother Earth Water Walk to pray for water’s health and promote awareness that Nibi and manoomin, its sacred grass (wild rice), need protection.
After what first started out as an off-the-cuff suggestion made by one of Josephine’s friends during an informal women’s meeting in her living room, the Mother Earth Water Walk grandmothers started taking action to make the public aware of the importance of protecting nibi. Each walk is a prayer for life; for Nibi the water, for Mother Earth, for the trees, the animals, the birds, the insects, and for us, all the two-legged. By walking the perimeter of all five Gichigamiin, the Great Lakes, each year around spring time, the walkers raise awareness of the importance of preserving the water quality and quantity and helping people recognize that water is life. Of course, an important part of their message is to raise awareness about pollution, laws, and any issues that impact fresh water, such as the dangers of fracking and oil pipe lines. Between 2003 and 2019 the Mother Earth Water Walkers walked farther than the entire length of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and walked from all four coasts of North America.
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Men and Women are and have been involved in many parts of the Mother Annual Mother Earth Water Walk; ininiwag (men) eventually came forward and helped Josephine to carry the Eagle Feather staff, and are presently helping out in many more ways. Anishinaabewininiwag, the men of the Nation are traditionally caretakers of the Fire and are supposed to know everything about the responsibility that stems from the spiritual teachings of the Anishinaabeg, but it is always Anishinaabekweg (the women) who carry the water in copper pails, as watching out for the health of nibi is their spiritual responsibility.
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Nowadays the pails containing the water are typically made from the sacred copper; this metal, which used to be mined in Lake Superior by our ancestors, has long been respected by Anishinaabe peoples for their purifying qualities. The metal, which holds various spiritual and symbolic meanings in connection with water, has always been regarded as a beneficial gift from the water spirits that dwell the underworld of the lakes and is therefore deemed extremely sacred.
Along the way, Josephine Mandamin, whose vision, actions, and message testified of a tremendously intense commitment to, and a deep level of understanding of, the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the principle of Anishinaabe mino-bimaadiziwin, the Ojibwe code for upright living, advised the people and the authorities that bodies of water must be given their original Native names back. The original names are embedded with instructions for water, and how it’s supposed to work she said.
- Josephine Mandamin
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So sacred are the words that make up the nibi waaboo song, that - although it is deemed very important that the song is being shared throughout the world - they are supposed not to be shared through the Internet. Therefore we will not reveal the words of the song on our blog.*
Who knows, one day one of us, or both, might create our own interpretation of the image of the thirteen grandmothers standing on the ice as they receive the original water ceremony - be it in the form of a panting, a pencil drawing, or a piece of jewelry...
Any additions, corrections or suggestions for improvement of the above explanation of the water song ceremony are welcome.
* There exists a more recent version of the Water Song, related by Menasekwe (Beatrice Jackson) of the Ojibwe Migizi doodem. This song, called Nibi Nagamowin, was written by Waabanikwe (Doreen Day) of the Ojibwe Waabizheshi doodem at the request of her grandson. The song is sung like a lullaby and without using clapper sticks or shakers or hand drums. The words of the Nibi Nagamowin can be shared freely without any restrictions; click here to hear the song.
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Since 2016, each year a Rally takes place to Protect the Great Lakes from Enbridge’s Line 5 pipelines, which lie on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac just west of the Mackinac Bridge. About 23 million gallons of oil flow through the twin, 20-inch, pipelines daily.
A rupture of the Line 5 oil pipelines would be a worldwide catastrophe. Baawitigo-Anishinaabekweg (women’s) voices from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians propose and lead the efforts to organize this peaceful, yearly rally in opposition to the continued use of the pipelines. Traditionally, a water ceremony is held in the early morning.
"We as Anishinaabe kwe are protectors of our sacred water. We as grandmothers and mothers have a responsibility to our children to do everything we can for the future of our resources and lifeblood. This is a grassroots effort led by women members of the Sault Tribe to protect and educate about the dangers we face when our water is threatened. We gather humbly, yet assertively, and commit ourselves to that protection that is needed today and always.”
- Sault Tribe Unit 2 director Lana Causley- Smith
- Sault Tribe Unit 2 director Lana Causley- Smith
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| Manidoo Nagamo (The Spirit Sings), gold and silver necklace handcrafted by the author. Click on image to view details. |
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~ A Give Thanks Prayer for the Grandmothers of Our Turtle Island Nations ~
Hoowah, Ningookomisinaanig - Our Grandmothers.
Miigwech gida-igom ningookomisinaanig jiinaago gaa-iyaajig, noongom e-iyaajig miinawaa waabang ge-iyaajig...
I’iw nama’ewinan, maaba asemaa, miinawaa nindode’winaanin gida-bagidinimaagom.
Thank you for the Grandmothers of yesterday, today and tomorrow...
We offer our prayers, tobacco, and our hearts.
Ahaaw!
- A personal prayer song by the author for our elder Water Warrior Women
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Nibi Bimaadiziwin (Water Is Life) wedding ring set. Click on the image to read about the symbolism.
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"The Nibi (Water) Walks are Indigenous-led, extended ceremonies to pray for the water. Every step is taken in prayer and gratitude for water, our life giving force.
We walk for the water, and as we heal the water we heal all of life. We are not a protest. We are a prayer for the water."
- Principle of the Nibi Walks
"Listen! Stop fighting, stop gossiping, stop being number one, stop all negativity and LISTEN, to the winds, trees, splashing waters, birds, animals and above all dreams, sit on mother earth for a while and just LISTEN. We are at the cusp of something great, the water walk finished but it did not end, it is only a beginning of something we have yet to experience...Our young are ready and watching and waiting for you all to put aside your petty, childish ways and include them in all that you do. You must be sovereign enough to say it is time. Time to be Anishinaabe.
Our Grand Chief said it so eloquently when we gathered at Madeline Island; he said: ‘this is not the end but the beginning of the lighting of the 8th fire’. Are we ready to say we are truly Anishinaabe? Ahaw Mi'iw."
- The late Nookomis Josephine Mandamin
Source: Watertalkers blog
Our Grand Chief said it so eloquently when we gathered at Madeline Island; he said: ‘this is not the end but the beginning of the lighting of the 8th fire’. Are we ready to say we are truly Anishinaabe? Ahaw Mi'iw."
- The late Nookomis Josephine Mandamin
Source: Watertalkers blog
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In 2003, she and her sister Melvina Flamand-Trudeau from Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation Reserve of Manitoulin Island initiated the Mother Earth Water Walk to pray for water’s health and promote awareness that Nibi and manoomin, its sacred grass (wild rice), need protection.
After what first started out as an off-the-cuff suggestion made by one of Josephine’s friends during an informal women’s meeting in her living room, the Mother Earth Water Walk grandmothers started taking action to make the public aware of the importance of protecting nibi. Each walk is a prayer for life; for Nibi the water, for Mother Earth, for the trees, the animals, the birds, the insects, and for us, all the two-legged. By walking the perimeter of all five Gichigamiin, the Great Lakes, each year around spring time, the walkers raise awareness of the importance of preserving the water quality and quantity and helping people recognize that water is life. Of course, an important part of their message is to raise awareness about pollution, laws, and any issues that impact fresh water, such as the dangers of fracking and oil pipe lines. Between 2003 and 2019 the Mother Earth Water Walkers walked farther than the entire length of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and walked from all four coasts of North America.
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"The Nibi Water Walks are based in Ojibwe Anishinaabe Ceremonial Water Teachings. The reason Water Walkers walk is to honor the rivers and all water and to speak to the water spirits so that there will be healthy rivers, lakes and oceans for our ancestors in the generations to come.
Ninga izhichige nibi onji– Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) for “I will do it for the water.” Water Walkers say this phrase whenever they pass the water – both the person giving the water and the person receiving the water say it."
- Nibi Walks protocol
==Water Walkers and Water Line Women==
"The Nibi Water Walks are based in Ojibwe Anishinaabe Ceremonial Water Teachings. The reason Water Walkers walk is to honor the rivers and all water and to speak to the water spirits so that there will be healthy rivers, lakes and oceans for our ancestors in the generations to come.
Ninga izhichige nibi onji– Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) for “I will do it for the water.” Water Walkers say this phrase whenever they pass the water – both the person giving the water and the person receiving the water say it."
- Nibi Walks protocol
The first Annual Women’s Water Walk took place in April
2003. Several women from different Anishinaabe odoodemag (Ojibwe clans) came
together to raise awareness that the water of the fresh water lakes of
Anishinaabe Aki is being polluted by chemicals, vehicle emissions, motor boats,
sewage disposal, agricultural pollution, leaking landfill sites. The Annual Women’s
Water Walk was chosen for spring because spring is a time for renewal,
regrowth, and rebirth.²
Men and Women are and have been involved in many parts of the Mother Annual Mother Earth Water Walk; ininiwag (men) eventually came forward and helped Josephine to carry the Eagle Feather staff, and are presently helping out in many more ways. Anishinaabewininiwag, the men of the Nation are traditionally caretakers of the Fire and are supposed to know everything about the responsibility that stems from the spiritual teachings of the Anishinaabeg, but it is always Anishinaabekweg (the women) who carry the water in copper pails, as watching out for the health of nibi is their spiritual responsibility.
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Nowadays the pails containing the water are typically made from the sacred copper; this metal, which used to be mined in Lake Superior by our ancestors, has long been respected by Anishinaabe peoples for their purifying qualities. The metal, which holds various spiritual and symbolic meanings in connection with water, has always been regarded as a beneficial gift from the water spirits that dwell the underworld of the lakes and is therefore deemed extremely sacred.
Along the way, Josephine Mandamin, whose vision, actions, and message testified of a tremendously intense commitment to, and a deep level of understanding of, the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the principle of Anishinaabe mino-bimaadiziwin, the Ojibwe code for upright living, advised the people and the authorities that bodies of water must be given their original Native names back. The original names are embedded with instructions for water, and how it’s supposed to work she said.
“Collecting consciousness is not easy to explain. But
when we are walking with the water, we are also collecting thoughts with that
water. And in the collecting of thoughts, we are also collecting consciousness
of people’s minds. The minds, hopefully, will be of one, sometime.”³ … We'd get up at 2:30 or 3 am, and walk until the sun
goes down. We'd have an orange or fruit along the way or juice. You have to
walk with a pail as if you are walking with a water stream. It's very important
to keep the water moving because you've made that promise to keep it moving
while you are walking. People would put us up in homes or if we had funds we'd
stay in motels…”⁴
- Josephine Mandamin
Grandmother Mandamin's courageous example
has helped to bring together more than 100 Native Nations in both Canada and
the Unites States to sign the Tribal and First Nations Great Lakes Water Accord
in which all pledged to work together to protect nibi and manoomin. Mandamin
received several awards - among which the following may be highlighted: The Lake Superior Magazine Achievement Award in 2011 and the Lake
Superior Bi-National Education Award in 2004 - for calling attention to water
issues and contributing to the well-being and protection of Anishinaabe-Gichigami.²
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In 2011, Ogimaa-Nibi-Ogichidaakwe Josephine embarked on what would probably become her most ambitious walk : to collect four copper pails of water from Hudson
Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean, ending at Gichi-Anishinaabe-Gami
(Lake Superior). A group of grandmothers, carrying a buffalo
staff/flag came from the west carrying water from the Pacific ocean. Other grandmothers
traveled up from the Gulf of Mexico. In the first week of May, Josephine’s
sister Melvina from Manitoulin Island, grandmother Irene Peters of the Minisink
Lenni Lenape (Munsee Delaware Nation), and others
carried the eagle staff representing the east, carrying water from Maine’s
Atlantic ocean. Ogimaa Nibi Nookomis Josephine, carrying a polar bear staff, representing
the north, brought in the arctic waters. Then, on June 12, during
a Mide Waaboo (Medicine Water) ceremony, as Midewaanikweg (Sacred Water Line Women) held the water up in copper vessels while a nibi waaboo water song and
prayers to the spirit of nibi were rendered and a small amount of nibi was
shared with those present at the session, all the collected water from the
oceans, which now was no longer just nibi but had become mide waaboo, sacred
water, was then mixed into Gichi-Anishinaabe-Gami.
This took place near Bad River, Wisconsin. Nookomis Josephine said
the following about this: “We realized the healing potential of salt water.
Salt is healing, and that’s the idea of bringing that salt water to Lake
Superior, as well as all the Great Lakes; the salt water will be intermingled
with that.”
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| A magic moment: An Anishinaabe jimaan (canoe) crossing the St. Mary's River from the US side to Whitefish Island on Canadian side.. Robinson Huron Treaty gathering, Waatebagaa-giizis (September) 2016. Courtesy of Sue Chiblow. |
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In 2015, the Sacred Water Walk started on June 23 in Matane, Quebec, with the eastern clans (among others the Ojibweg and the L'nu'k/Mi’kmaq, Peskotomuhkati, and other Wabanaki-Abenaki Nations) gathering to share stories of the great Ojibwe migration story of the Seven Fires. Another focus of the 2015 Sacred Water Walk was to share traditional teachings about the connection the People have to water and to raise awareness about water disasters such as oil spills and train derailments along the Great Lakes and the St.Lawrence River.
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Josephine’s incredible journey from the four
directions to the great sea of the Anishinaabe Peoples is an inspirational
testament to the human spirit and the life-giving power of nibi that nourishes
us all. Native women from across Turtle Island (North America)
have been inspired to take up Josephine’s work and walk the waters in their own
communities.⁶
"Water has to live, it can hear, it can sense what we’re saying, it can really, really, speak to us. Some songs come to us through the water. We have to understand that water is very precious…If we discontinue our negligence, we can change things around. That’s why I am really embodying the (Midewiwin) prophecy. You’ve heard of ‘Walk The Talk,’ this is why I walk."⁶
== The Anishinabek Women's Water Commission ==
== Fresh blood in the movement ==
Nookomis ogimaa nibi ogichidaa (grandmother chief water warrior and water commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation) Josephine Mandamin's work continues through, among others, a group called Nibi Emosaawdamajig (Those Who Walk for the Water), lead by Bird Clan Elder, teacher, and author Shirley Williams and Midekwe (female Midewiwin community leader) and water activist Elizabeth Osawamick.
In 2019, Autum Peltier, a 14-year old girl with gichi-nibi-gikendaasowin (great water knowledge) from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario was elected successor of Josephine Mandamin after her crossing over to the spirit world.
"Water has to live, it can hear, it can sense what we’re saying, it can really, really, speak to us. Some songs come to us through the water. We have to understand that water is very precious…If we discontinue our negligence, we can change things around. That’s why I am really embodying the (Midewiwin) prophecy. You’ve heard of ‘Walk The Talk,’ this is why I walk."⁶
- Josephine Mandamin
_____________________________________________________________________________== The Anishinabek Women's Water Commission ==
The Anishinabek Women’s Water Commission was established in 2007. Its mandate is to provide advice for Anishinabek Nation leadership and citizens on water and Great Lakes management issues through dialogue and information exchange. The commission plays a leadership role in raising awareness on all water issues, sharing their traditional knowledge, teachings, and values.
The Anishinabek Nation is the political advocate for 40 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 65,000 Anishinaabeg people. The Anishinabek Nation is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
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== Fresh blood in the movement ==
Nookomis ogimaa nibi ogichidaa (grandmother chief water warrior and water commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation) Josephine Mandamin's work continues through, among others, a group called Nibi Emosaawdamajig (Those Who Walk for the Water), lead by Bird Clan Elder, teacher, and author Shirley Williams and Midekwe (female Midewiwin community leader) and water activist Elizabeth Osawamick.
In 2019, Autum Peltier, a 14-year old girl with gichi-nibi-gikendaasowin (great water knowledge) from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario was elected successor of Josephine Mandamin after her crossing over to the spirit world.
As the new "Anishinabek Nation Chief Water Commissioner," Autumn, who belongs to Migizi doodem (the Ojibwe Bald Eagle Clan) and has been bringing global attention to the water issues in Anishinaabe Aki, will be honored at the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Assembly in June 2019 in Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
The assembly’s theme – Manaadendang Nibi Ekeanjigewat ("Honoring our Water Protectors") will give thanks to the previous Anishinabek Nation Chief Water Commissioner, the late Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, and celebrate Autumn Peltier, who is the great-niece of Josephine, in her new position.
Nookomis Mandamin leaves large makizinan (mocassins) and many miskwa-naabikwaanan (copper water vessels) to be filled after 16 years as the face and voice of the Mother Earth Water Walkers. Autumn, who has advocated for the water at many places - including the United Nations and the Assembly of First Nations - brings fresh blood to the movement. Driven by a calling and infused by the tradition and ceremony of her Elders, Autumn represents the younger generation and as such represents hope and continuity. May her path be long and straight and rewarding.
WATCH THE 2018 VIDEO:
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Giiwenh.That's how far this story goes. Thank you for reading & listening.
Nibibimaadiziwin. Miigwechiwendan akina gegoo ahaw! Water is Life. Be thankful for everything!
See also the second part of the series "Reflections Of The Great Lakes"!
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Click here to view order details of the book The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson |
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THE
WATER WALKS HELD BETWEEN 2003 AND 2019:
- 2003 Lake Superior
- 2004 Lake Michigan
- 2005 Lake Huron
- 2006 Lake Ontario
- 2007 Lake Erie
- 2008 Lake Michigan
- 2009 St Lawrence River
- 2011 Four Directions Water Walk
- 2012 Lake Monona
- 2012 Lake Nipigon
- 2015 Lake Winnebago
- 2015 Sacred Walk
- 2016 Menominee River
- 2017 Toronto and the Toronto Waterfront Trail
- 2018 All Nations Grand River Water Walk
- 2019 All Nations Grand River Water Walk
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In September 2018, Anishinaabekwe Mary Anne Caibaiosai of nooke doodem (the bear clan) from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, who has received and follows traditional teaching passed on from her Elders from her territory and from the Midewewin lodge, followed in the footsteps of Josephine Mandamin. She honored the water by leading the first Grand River Water Walk,.
The event took place from September 15th to September 29th 2018.
The All Nations Water Walk began at the headwaters of the Grand River and followed the beautiful riverways. The walk was intended to honor the water and connected all peoples to creation. It was also a walk in memory of the late Violet Caibaiosai, one of the original Water Walkers. |
Sources:
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Suggested reading and listening:
Nibi Water Walks website Mother Earth Water Walk website
Great Lakes Water Walk
Niibi Bimaadiziwn website by Beatrice Menasekwe Jackson
Meet Me by the Water Song
Anishinaabe Blog by Bob Goulais, Nipissing First Nation
WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE WATER SONG!
OMFRC Newsletter ('Feathers in the Wind')
Ontario Indigenous Women's Water Commission website
Illustrations:
WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE WATER SONG!
OMFRC Newsletter ('Feathers in the Wind')
Ontario Indigenous Women's Water Commission website
Illustrations:
Top photo: photo of autumn Peltier by Stephanie Pelier (2019)
Pen and ink drawing: 'Wiidigemaaganag /Niizhomaangwag' (Life Partners/ Two
Loons), pencil drawing by Zhaawano Giizhik .
Canoe illustration: From the book Ojibway Ceremonies by Basil Johnston. Digitally remastered by Frits Terpstra.
Canoe illustration: From the book Ojibway Ceremonies by Basil Johnston. Digitally remastered by Frits Terpstra.
Acrylics from top to bottom:
'Nibi Storykeepers', a digitized version of the
2015 original by Simone McLeod;
Maamoyaawewin ("Thanksgiving") by Simone McLeod;
Photo banner: Source Nibi Walks website
Painted banner (acrylic): Water Is Life by Simone McLeod (2016)
Painted banner (acrylic): Water Is Life by Simone McLeod (2016)
'Protecting Mother Earth' by Simone McLeod.
Jewelry photos:
Nibi Bimaadiziwin (Water Is Life) wedding ring set by Zhaawano Giizhik
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About the artists/author:
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Simone McLeod (her traditional name is Ahki-ekwanīsit or "Earth Blanket"), is a Nakawe-Ojibwe-Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) painter and poet, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1962. She belongs to he Name doodem (Sturgeon clan) and is a member of Pasqua First Nation in Saskatchewan. Simone feels a special kinship with her mother's people, the Azaadiwi-ziibi Nitam-Anishinaabeg (Poplar River "#16" First Nation) of Manitoba. She descends from a long line of Midewiwin seers and healers and artists. Her artwork has been appreciated by several art collectors and educational and health care institutions from Canada, as well as by art lovers from all over the world.
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Zhaawano Giizhik, an American currently living in the Netherlands, was born in 1959 in North Carolina, USA. Zhaawano has Anishinaabe blood running through his veins; the doodem of his ancestors from Baawitigong (Sault Ste. Marie, Upper Michigan) is Waabizheshi, Marten.
As an artist, a writer, and a designer of jewelry and wedding rings, Zhaawano draws on the oral and pictorial traditions of his ancestors. In doing so he sometimes works together with kindred artists.
The MAZINAAJIMOWINAN or ‘pictorial spirit writings’ - which are rich with symbolism and have been painted throughout history on rocks and etched on other sacred items, such as copper and slate, birch bark and animal hide - are Zhaawano's main design inspiration.
The MAZINAAJIMOWINAN or ‘pictorial spirit writings’ - which are rich with symbolism and have been painted throughout history on rocks and etched on other sacred items, such as copper and slate, birch bark and animal hide - are Zhaawano's main design inspiration.
To his ancestors, the mazinaajimowin was a form of spiritual as well as educational communication that gave structure and meaning to the world as they experienced it. Many of these sacred pictographs or petroforms – some of which are many, many generations old - hide in sacred locations where the manidoog (spirits) reside, particularly in those mystic places near the coastline where the sky, the earth, the water, the underground and the underwater meet.
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