Anishnaabek women hold a sacred connection to Nibi (water). It is a responsibility and duty to love, honour, respect, and thank Nibi for its work with all of creation on Mother Earth. The Water is Calling is led by a group of Anishnaabek Grandmothers who will lead a series of Water Walks through the Great Lakes.
This July, the Grandmothers will begin the first walk of four around Naadowewi-Gichigami (Lake Huron).
Sharon Manitowabi
I am Anishnawbe-kwe, my spirit name is Zaagimok-kwe, originally from Wiikwemkoong. I am Bear Clan, and as Midewiwin, my work is with the most sacred medicine, water. I have been a Waterwalker for 8 years and recently initiated the Love of the Rivers 2.0 Water walks in Thunder Bay to honour the water flowing through the city. I retired from the federal government following a business and economic development career with First Nations. I am a mother of 3 and grandmother of 9, and I enjoy gardening, cooking and quilting. Most quilts created are donated to fundraising for community and cultural initiatives all across the Great Lakes.
Evelyn Fielding
Evelyn Fielding lives in the ancestral lands of Dakota and Anishinaabe people in what is now called Minnesota. She attended her first water walk in 2017 and has since walked for rivers and lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona. She believes that all water is one water, and every step is a prayer.
Linda Manitowabi
Linda Manitowabi is an Anishnaabe-kwe from Wikwemikong First Nation in the Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory. She is Bear Clan and follows the teachings of the Midewiwin Society. A retired teacher, an avid traveller and a hiker, Linda has walked on Shkagamik-Kwe, our Mother Earth, in many parts of the world. Linda is a Water Walker: "We are born from water in the womb of our mothers. Water is woman’s responsibility. Water is life, the lifeblood of Mother Earth. We are dependent on Creation, and so we need to help our Mother heal. We walk to bring awareness to the World for the healing that is needed to sustain life.”
MaryAnne Caibaiosai
Mary Anne Caibaiosai is an Ojibwe Anishinaabe-kwe bear clan from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory not far from the shores of Lake Huron. She leads the All Nations Grand River Waterwalk and Credit River Waterwalk, following the teachings and protocols from her waterwalk teachers and takes those teachings to others to connect them with the land and waters.
Norma Peltier
Norma Peltier, a member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nations, has devoted her time as a waterwalker since 2014. As a grandmother and spiritual advisor working extensively with youth across Canada and different communities.
Roxanne Ornelas
Roxanne Ornelas (Yaqui/Tarahumara) is a lifelong water protector and Professor Emerita of geography. Throughout her teaching career at Miami University in Ohio, Dr. Ornelas taught classes about indigenous peoples and human rights, environmental justice, and the protection of global waters. She is an experienced water walker, including her recent participation as a core walker on the Indigenous-led ceremonial walk around Lake Superior during the summer of 2023
Shauna Pitawanakwat
Boozhoo, Giiziianaquat-tuk degoo, Mkwa Doodem (Bear Clan), Odawa/Potawatomi, residing in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. I am a mother, a Nokomis (grandmother) of six and great grandmother to one. I am a shkawbewis and knowledge holder of the traditions and culture of the Anishinaabe people. I am employed with the Family Information Liaison Program (FILU), Indigenous Justice Division under the Ministry of Attorney General, assisting families of murdered and missing Indigenous people and on assignment as the Indian Residential School Liaison as program coordinator. It’s always an honour to walk for Nibi, and I owe much gratitude to many other water walkers who always support and share knowledge. I have walked for the Grand River, Junction Creek and Saskatchewan River in past walks.
Sheila DeCorte
Sheila DeCorte is an Ojibwe Elder, Turtle Clan, and Knowledge Keeper from Animkii Wajiw (Thunder Mountain/Mount McKay), Fort Willian First Nation, near Thunder Bay, where she was born and raised. Her Spirit name is Niibin Giimiwan. As a retired Public Servant, she has the freedom to follow her cultural spirit, an Anishnawbe way of being, including walking for the water. In 2017, she joined “For the Earth and Water”, a walk led by the late Josephine Mandamin. Following this, she followed a vision to bring healing to the local rivers in Thunder Bay, initiating the “For the Love of the River Water walk in 2018 and continuing with the “For the Love of the Rivers 2.0”. She remains committed to her promise to continue the work of Grandmother Josephine.
Leech Lake, Minnesota
Esther Humphrey
Jane Ramseyer Miller
Living in Northern Indiana and Southern Ontario, Jane grew up with a love of water and a deep respect for the Great Lakes. Now in Minnesota, she has walked many rivers and lakes and is honored to be a part of the Naadowewi gichigami Nibi Walk.
Tessa Antilla
Tessa has lived most of her life within blocks of the Mississippi River, growing up along the headwaters in northern Minnesota and now along the Minneapolis banks, where she is a mother and planetary therapist. She and the water are friends and because of this friendship she feels a responsibility to care for the water like the water cares for her and her family.
Connor Peltier - Eagle Staff Carrier
