A determined pair of Anishinaabe grandmothers passed through Akwesasne on Friday, April 17th as they complete the final leg of their seven-year journey to the Atlantic Ocean. The women and their supporters have been walking around the Great Lakes as part of the Mother Earth Water Walk aimed at raising the awareness of water issues.

“Water is precious and sacred. It is one of the basic elements needed for all life to exist,” commented Josephine Mandamin. She noted that the idea for the Water Walk stemmed from an Anishinaabe vision of two women journeying around the Great Lakes. Spurred by the poor water quality of Lake Erie, Mandiman set out on an epic journey to raise the awareness on the importance of keeping our water’s clean.

The First Annual Water Walk began in 2003 around Lake Superior, followed by subsequent trips around each of the Great Lakes. This year, the final portion of their journey includes a 12-day trip along the St. Lawrence River before reaching Riveria-la-Madeleine, Quebec. Beginning on April 13th in Kingston, Ontario, the grandmothers are carrying the message through the communities of Morristown, Cornwall, Akwesasne, Longueuil, and others.

Throughout their journey, the Anishinaabe women carry a copper bucket containing 8 liters of water. Rarely stopping except to rest, the women walk at a brisk speed before handing off the bucket every 50 to 100 yards. Accompanied by men carrying a symbolic eagle staff to offer the women strength, the pair can easily walk 50 miles each day.

As the Water Walk passes through each community, the grandmothers and their supporters are calling for action regarding the water issue. They are urging communities to join their commitment to safeguard our waters.  They ask communities to keep their land clean and recycle, as well as practice water conservation measures.

Water is quality and quantity is constantly being polluted by chemicals, vehicle emissions, motor boats, sewage disposal, agricultural pollution, leaking landfill sites, and residential usage. Both Grandmothers hope the Mother Earth Water Walk will create a positive dialogue on water issues in the communities that they travel through, as well as with government and policy makers.

The Water Walkers have been working diligently to raise funds and support for their endeavor. They’ve received support from the Three Fires Society, Ontario Native Women’s Association, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Union of Ontario Indians, as well as donations from churches and individuals. They stayed overnight in Cornwall compliments of Hotel Manager Kevin LaChapelle of the Comfort Inn Cornwall.

For information on how to support the Mother Earth Water Walk, visit http://www.motherearthwaterwalk.com.

Interesting water facts:

The walkers make their way up Three Nations Bridge - south span. Photo courtesy of MCA.

Good drinking water is free from disease causing organisms, harmful chemical substances, and radioactive matter.

Less than 1% of the world’s freshwater is readily available for human consumption,

90% of persistent organic pollutants come from the atmosphere.

70% of the world’s surface is covered by water, only 2.5% is freshwater and over 1% is ice.