ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (February 22,
2019)— The Anishinabek Nation mourns the passing
of our Grandmother, our Water Commissioner, our kind and gentle Water
Protector, Biidaasige – Josephine Mandamin.
“It is a very sad day. We have lost a great advocate, teacher, and role model.
She will be so deeply missed by all and will be fondly remembered for all of
what she did to protect the water. Our prayers are with Josephine as she begins
her journey home into the Spirit World and back to her ancestors,” expressed
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. “Our thoughts of comfort are
with Josephine’s family and community as they prepare for her journey.”
Josephine Mandamin, originally from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and affectionately called Grandmother Water Walker or Grandmother Josephine, dedicated her life to protecting the water and giving it a voice. She made it her life’s mission to raise consciousness about the fragility of water and emphasize that water is precious, sacred, and one of the basic elements required for all life to exist. Water is life.
“Through all of the years of Josephine’s determination and dedication to raise awareness through her legendary Great Lakes Water Walks, it is my hope that the world hears her message – that water is life!” stated Grand Council Chief Hare. “Our world is a better place because of Josephine’s efforts and those of us who will continue her work to protect our life-giving Nibi, not only to honour her legacy, but to ensure water, the world over, is protected. What a remarkable Anishinaabkwe we have had the absolute pleasure of knowing and learning from.”
Grandmother Josephine founded Mother Earth Water
Walks – an initiative that brings awareness to the risks and threats to the
health and sustainability of our waterways. Through that initiative, she has
walked the shorelines of the five Great Lakes as well as in all four directions
of Turtle Island – bringing water from all oceans together. She has walked the
equivalent of half of the earth’s circumference while building awareness about
pollution, laws, fracking, and the selling of water.
As part of her advocacy role, she conducted community ceremonies where she
would unite communities with water and empower them to start their own water
walks to bring awareness to local lakes and watersheds. Grandmother Josephine
has touched the lives of many and inspired a whole new generation of water
walkers and warriors.
In her capacity as the Chief Commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation Women’s
Water Commission, she was a predominant contributor and leader of the Great
Lakes Guardians’ Council, established under theGreat Lakes Protection Act.
She was also previously on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife
in Canada in 2006.
She was also honoured with a Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award in
2012 and the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in
Conservation in 2016 for Excellence in Conservation for Water Walks, and
received distinctions and honours from the Assembly of First Nations National
Chief Sean Atleo, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Ontario Native Women’s
Association and from the Mayor of Duluth Minnesota.
The Anishinabek Nation is the political advocate for 40 member communities
across Ontario, representing approximately 60,000 people. The Anishinabek
Nation is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots
back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European
contact.
For more information contact:
Laura Barrios, Communications Officer
Phone :705-497-9127 ext. 2339
E-mail : laura.barrios@anishinabek.ca
