Boozhoo Gakina’awiya (hello everyone) ekwa (and) Gakina’ Ina-we-naa-ga-naag (all my relations) “Ndizhinikaaz Niibin Gimiwan, Animikii Wajiw ndoonjii, miskwaadesi ndoodem.” My name is Summer Rain and I come from the Thunderbird nest of Thunder mountain (more commonly known as Mount McKay), which is located in the Ojibwe community of Fort William First Nation, signatory to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. My clan is turtle. My given birth name is Sheila De Corte. I am a traditional knowledge keeper, Elder and Water Walker/Protector living in Anemki Wiikwedong (Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada).

Water Walks are based in Anishinaabe Ceremonial Water Teachings. We walk to honor all Nibi (water) and to speak to the water spirits so that there will be healthy rivers, lakes and oceans for our ancestors and the generations to come. Miigwech for joining us to honor Nibi and all of life! When we are walking for the water, we are in an Anishinaabe Ceremony for the duration of the walk. We move like water, continuously all day long, until we reach our destination. We carry asemaa / tobacco with us to offer to any flowing streams or rivers we cross, and to honor any animals we may cross over along the roads or trails. While we are walking and carrying Nibi, it is a time for prayer or songs: not idle talking. Women make offerings for the water, sing water songs and make petitions for our water to be pure and clean and continuously flow down to us. This is an Anishinaabe Ceremony so women wear long skirts and men long pants to show our respect for our Grandmothers, for Mother Earth and for ourselves. Women on their Moon-time do not carry the water, as they are already in ceremony. Men carry the Eagle Feather Turtle Walking Stick, but if there are no males in attendance, women can carry the staff. Gchi’miigwech to the late Josephine Mandamin for leading the many Water Walks and teaching us the protocols. Nga zhichige Nibi Onji! (“I Will Do It For The Water” in Anishinaabemowin), a phrase we say when water is passed.

If you would like to learn more about the Anishinaabe protocols
of the water walks, watch Elder Sheila sharing her stories and teachings