Photo: Grand River Conservation Authority
Grand River Water Walk
September 17-23, 2023
G'chi-miigwech to the walkers and helpers who participated in this year's Grand River Water Walk. During the 5-day ceremony, Nibi (the water) was carried 217 kilometres from the river's source waters to where she empties into Lake Erie.
The Grand River Water Walk is based on the teachings of Josephine-Baa Mandamin, who walked around all of the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence River before passing into the spirit world in 2019. With a copper pail of water in one hand and an eagle staff in another, she brought worldwide recognition to the value of water. Her legacy continues to guide us. We walk to honour Nibi (water), we speak, sing, and pray to her spirit, and we offer petitions for healthy rivers, lakes, and oceans for future generations.
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Follow the Walk
The 2023 Grand River Water Walk began at her source waters on September 17th and continued to where the river empties into Lake Erie. People from all Nations gathered to walk for Nibi and to sing and pray for her.
The Water Walk started each morning before 5:00 a.m. People from all nations were welcome to join the opening ceremony or along the route. Those who could not join us in person followed along virtually via Spot GPS. The walkers' location was updated every 10 minutes.
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