We are all of water

water walker.jpg

'We are all of water'

Meet Josephine Mandamin, Water Walker

By Carolyn Pogue for the United Church Observer

I was anxious to meet the Elder known as the Water Walker at the Sacred Water Circle in Peterborough, Ont. And Grandmother Josephine Mandamin did not disappoint. She is gentle and passionate, soft-spoken and strong. She was among the First Nation Elders from the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Peru, Columbia, Arizona and South Dakota invited by Curve Lake First Nation for a three-day conference recently. It was supported by Trent University, Fleming College, Faith and the Common Good/Greening Sacred Spaces and Green Up Peterborough, among other groups.

Josephine is from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island, Ont. Alarmed by changes to water quality in Lake Huron, she initiated The Mother Earth Water Walks in 2003. She began by leading walks around the perimeter of all five Great Lakes. She next walked the length of the St. Lawrence River. These days, she could be anywhere, walking, teaching, performing ceremonies to love, bless and thank water. She reminds us that the planet is more water than solid matter — just as we are.

All told, it took Josephine 36 days to traverse the 2,000 km-perimeter of Lake Superior. She walked more than 12 to 15 hours every day. Such is her determination to speak for the waters of Turtle Island. So far, she has walked nearly 20,000 km for water.

As she continues to walk for water, she continues to dream of other ways to heal Mother Earth. She asks for a worldwide four-day fast to give the planet time to catch her breath. Mother Earth is not merely a sweet way to name the planet, it describes Josephine's and others' real relationship with her. “We have a duty,” she says. “The world has a duty to protect our Mother Earth and her life blood — our life blood — the water."

Some years ago, I wrote a poem about Mother Earth's gifts on the banks of the Mississippi River. Here's an excerpt:

Make prayers for the life of the rivers

Make prayers for the creeks and the streams

Make prayers to the Holy Myst’ry

Make prayers for Earth Mother’s dreams.

Fall down on your knees by the water

Fall down on the muck, sand or slate

Fall down in humility, hope and love

And pray that it’s not too late.