Save the date for this chance to pray with your feet for the water. Kitchener, Ontario resident, Mary Anne Caibaiosai will lead this ceremonial All Nations Grand Water River Walk. Mary Anne is Bear clan Anishnaabe kwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island. Mary Anne says, “I am being led to follow in the footsteps of Josephine Mandamin, an Anishnaabe Elder, the original water walker who has walked all the Great Lakes; to walk along the waters of the Grand River.

The All Nations Water Walk will begin at the headwaters of the Grand River and follow the beautiful riverways to Lake Erie. 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.

This journey on both sides of the Grand River, is to honour the Grand River, to pray for her, sing for her, and carry her with a ceremonial pail. In our ancestors’ traditional belief and teachings, water is life; she 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”.

“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 my vision that men and women of all ages and color will come to walk for her.”

Visit www.grandriverwaterwalk2018.com.

This event is supported by our partners, Divest Waterloo and Parkminster United Church.