Seven
years ago two grandmothers of the Anishinawbe people
walked around Lake Superior. The following year they walked around Lake
Michigan. In 2005 their walk circled Lake Huron and the next three years
followed Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan and the St. Lawrence
River.
As they
walked they drew attention to the water in its many
forms, waterfalls and mists, rivers and lakes, raindrops and dew. Their
mission
was to bring awareness about our water, our most needed element of life.
The
blue green algae blooms in the waters, the mercury, toxins and limited
resources are telling them that our waters are neglected. The crisis of
clean
fresh water supplies for the future are at risk.
The
walks gained much support as they covered the miles.
Others joined them and the media broadcast their message that we need to
protect our water for all life to be sustained. In 2011 the Women's
Water
Walk is calling for volunteers across all points of the North American
continent to mobilize in the springtime to walk, speak and honor the
water.
Volunteers
are also needed this year to check on mileage at
each point of destination from ocean to ocean. Leaders are needed to
gather
people at starting points. Support is needed for communication and
transportation. Youth
are also being called upon to come take up the footsteps as the
grandmothers
age and their distances grow shorter.
For more
information about Women's Water Walk in 2011, visit Mother Earth Water Walk
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