June 21st, Indigenous Peoples Day

Today, National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize and celebrate Water Walker Josephine Mandamin and the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

Known as Grandmother Water Walker, Anishinaabe Elder Josephine Mandamin "Biidaasige" (1942-2019) trecked more than 25,000 kms carrying a pail of lake water to encourage people to protect the life-giving gift of water. Born on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada, the co-founder of the Mother Earth Water Walk movement led walks along the shores of the Great Lakes and other waterways in Canada and the United States.

"We are all of water, and all united by water"