With its impressive effort of creating a clean water event, a Toronto, Canada event indeed took the world by storm. “The Great Lakes Water Walk” was held on September 24, 2017, across the Toronto shoreline, closing in Marilyn Bell Park. This was an open event where anybody could participate in an Indigenous-led Water Walk to honour Nibi, which means “water.”
Grandmothers and seniors were intended to consider making water offerings, sing water melodies, and make proposals for the water to be clean and beautiful. This was according to Anishinaabe rituals and ceremonies belief (a collective of ethnically and lexically associated First Nations that exist in both Canada and the United States, clustered around the Great Lakes).
What happened in the event?
The event was fully committed to keeping the water pure and free of any dangerous substances that render water unfit for consumption. Indigenous leaders gathered in huge numbers at the Credit and Rouge River openings to clean those ancient streams. The two sides then moved to Toronto’s Lake Ontario waterfront, eventually coming together at Marilyn Bell Park.
After arriving, the seniors will conduct a Great Lakes blessing with the Chiefs of the two main domains traversed by the voyage. Members from Greater Toronto’s ethnic and religious systems, ministries, corporations, youngsters, working-class people, and nonprofit agencies joined together like a physical representation of peace found in the Great Lakes’ known source.
Who could participate?
Because the event is open to the public, anyone of any age or nationality can attend. The event welcomed everyone to attend the Great Lakes Water Walk and contemplate how previous generations of Canadians could commemorate and safeguard the waterways. Many people may believe that the event was a protest, but was is not. It was practice and a step toward keeping the waters clean.
Because it was a sacred walk, men and women were asked to wear fully covered garments to reverence the Grandmothers and Mother Earth.
What could be taken for the event?
Since the walk was expected to belong, participants could bring along nutritious snacks and a portable water bottle. They were expected to have solid walking shoes, rain equipment, and sunscreen for a pleasant walk. And no drugs or drinks were permitted to be brought inside the ceremonies.
Why was this event necessary?
Keeping the waters clean has long been a hot topic. However, the older generation of Canadians recognised that the water was becoming polluted and unfit for eating in the past. The gathering was not a protest but rather a way to raise awareness of the nation’s worsening water situation. There were no posters or slogans yelled. And, because Torontonians have always been passionately tied to their watercourse, this step was an excellent way to promote their message. Many First Nations communities could not consume the water since it had grown poisonous; hence the event was vital to prevent additional water pollution.