Water Walks remind people of the sacredness of Water, says speaker at Community Liaison Committee

For Immediate Release
February 4, 2022

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – In an effort to advance Indigenous knowledge and awareness in the community, the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) welcomed a presentation about Saugeen Anishnaabeg Water Walks from Bzauniibii Kwe Joanne Helena Keeshig at their first meeting of the year.

Bzauniibii Kwe was joined by Biidaabinokwe Jessica Keeshig-Martin, a Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) member from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. She is currently pursuing a PhD at York University and has previously spent time working with the SON Environment Office. Biidaabinokwe turned the discussion over to Bzauniibii Kwe, who then addressed the CLC and the community.

Bzauniibii Kwe – Peaceful Water Woman – identified herself as a mother, grandmother, day school survivor, and an advocate for the land and water. She is also a Saugeen Ojibway Nation member, from Neyaashiinigmiing.

She spoke passionately about her journey through life, rediscovering her culture and the importance of water. She said that one of the responsibilities given to her as an Anishnaabekwe (Anishnaabe woman) was to protect water. While both men and women bear this responsibility, she said women have a unique duty.

She explained that Water Walks began a number of years ago after a gathering of Anishnaabekwe; one of the women felt she should walk around Lake Superior. Water Walks have continued since, with the purpose of reminding people of, and bringing attention to, the sacredness of water.

“Water is life,” explained Bzauniibii Kwe, who shared stories of some of the many Water Walks she has taken part in over the last two decades. She said she often reflects on the importance of living on Earth, not taking from it.

Locally, there have been two Water Walks, one around the perimeter of Saugeen territory in 2017, and a more recent walk that came to the proposed deep geological repository (DGR) site outside of Teeswater, in 2021.

Bzauniibii Kwe remarked that some South Bruce community members joined part of the Walk to the proposed DGR site last year, noting however that the Water Walkers were not simply visitors.

She also added that the proposed DGR is a concern to her, and something she plans to follow closely.

After speaking, Bzauniibii Kwe welcomed questions. When asked by a community member how non-Indigenous people can support the work of the Water Walkers to protect water, she said that individuals must have their own connection to the Earth. She also stressed the importance of learning “your history and the truth about colonization.”

“We want to keep our Mother (Earth) on the forefront of everyone’s thinking,” she said in closing.

Thursday’s presentation follows a visit to the CLC by April Root-Thompson of the SON Environment Office last August. She encouraged the CLC to invite Water Walkers and the Committee members agreed, extending this invitation.

For those who would like to learn more, Biidaabinowke shared the follow online links that Bzauniibii Kwe mentioned in her presentation:

Mikwendaagozi Mama Aki: Remembering Mother Earth Waterwalk - Home | Facebook

No Matter What - Home | Facebook

Tailgate Soup Kitchen | Facebook

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