Water walkers complete three-day trek around Pigeon Lake to advocate for clean water

Community members gathered in Michi Saagiig territory this weekend for the annual Water Awareness Walk, which saw participants walk about 100 kilometres over three days.

After starting at Lock 31 of the Trent Severn Waterway in Buckhorn, walkers set out on a route that took them in a counterclockwise circle around Pigeon Lake. Organizers estimate 200 people participated over the course of the event.

The annual water walks have been organized in the Kawarthas since 2010 by the group Nibi Emosaawdamajig, which means “Those Who Walk for the Water.”

Organizers Liz Osawamick and Elder Shirley Williams explained that they were inspired by similar walks around Lake Superior. They started their own local water walks with the goal of advocating for the water and calling attention to issues like boil water advisories in Indigenous communities.

In the beginning, people thought the group was protesting, Osawamick said, but the intention was rather to practise Anishinaabe teachings. 

“At first, they thought we were protesting, but we said ‘No, we’re walking for the water. We’re walking for the seven generations, the children that are yet to be born … so that they may have clean drinking water.’”

During the walks, the group is always led by two walkers: one carrying a copper pot half-filled with water and the other holding an eagle staff. “It’s a medicine staff, and it’s only to be carried by young men, like the water vessel is only to be carried by young women,” said Gerard Sagassige, who made the staff.

Sagassige’s staff is adorned with copper bells and crystals, the head of a golden eagle, and a banner with blood drops that symbolize “everything that’s been extinct on Earth since the water has become unhealthy,” he explained.

The copper pot must always be kept moving during the walk, flowing like the river, explained Angela Wallwork, a student at Trent University who was participating in the Water Walk for the first time. “I’m reconnecting to my heritage, something that was taken away from my family,” she said. “So I feel like this is really important for me and being a part of this and being able to help carry and help out is really important to me.”

At various points along the route, ceremonies were held by the shoreline to offer tobacco and prayers for the water.

The walks have changed in the 14 years since they started. Walkers reflected that there were previous times when people yelled from cars or confronted them by the water. But organizers said they were happy that this year’s walk passed peacefully.

Residents greeted walkers from the end of their driveway and asked questions or gave messages of support. One resident joined the walkers for a small stretch. 

Williams said she sees the walks are succeeding in their goals. “It brought a lot of awareness, a lot of people are more aware of the harm to water with the chemicals,” she said. “We try and teach everybody different things, to conserve the water, because water is not going to be here if we don’t look after it, because we believe that water is life. As part of us.”