2011 Mother Earth Water Walk from Four Directions
May 19, 2011
“2011 Mother Earth Water Walk from Four Directions” Arrives in Ottawa Friday, May 20 – AFN National Chief to Meet Water Walkers at Victoria Island
(Ottawa, ON) –The 2011 Mother Earth Water Walk (east direction) will arrive at Victoria Island in Ottawa, ON on Friday May 20th. The Mother Earth Water Walk started on April 10 in Olympia, Washington (US). Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo will meet the walkers at Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquin Nation.
DATE: Friday May 20, 2011
TIME: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Arrival of Water Walk
- Opening prayer
- Speeches
- Water ceremony
- Closing prayer
- Feast
LOCATION: Victoria Island, Ottawa (ON)
The goal of the 2011 Mother Earth Water Walk is to raise awareness of the need to take care of the water and to help Mother Earth survive. It calls attention to the sacred gift of water, the source of all life. The Mother Earth Water Walk asks “What will you do for the water?”
The 2011 Mother Earth Water Walk unites all the waters of Mother Earth. Water was gathered from the four directions- from the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean and Hudson Bay. It was gathered in copper pails and is being carried by Anishinawbe Grandmothers and women to its final destination on the shores of Lake Superior. As givers-of-life, these women are responsible for protecting and carrying that sacred water.
On June 11, the Anishinawbe Grandmothers, women and men, and youth from Canada and the United States will converge in Bad River, Wisconsin. The following day, the waters will merge in a ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.
The Assembly of First Nations, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and other Indigenous organizations invite everyone who is concerned about the state of our water to come and support this event and participate in the water ceremony on Victoria Island.
You can visit www.motherearthwaterwalk.com to get all the latest information on the 2011 Mother Earth Water Walk.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN and National Chief Atleo on Twitter @AFN_Updates, @AFN_Comms and @NCAtleo.
For more information please contact:
Don Kelly, Assembly of First Nations A/Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 334 or cell: 613-292-2787 or e-mail dkelly@afn.ca
Alain Garon, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 382 or cell: 613-292-0857 or email agaron@afn.ca
