The Water Walker: The Life and Inspiration of Josephine Mandamin | North Coast Chronicles

The December episode of North Coast Chronicles: Tales from the Great Lakes podcast honors the sacred water in this episode "The Water Walker: The Life and Inspiration of Josephine Mandamin" with Ms. Siobhan Marks, a narrator of the extraordinary life and legacy of Grandmother Josephine. Josephine Mandamin was an Anishinaabe First Nations grandmother, elder and founding member of the water protectors movement who was born on Manatoulin Island and lived with her husband and children in Thunder Bay, Ontario. At the age of 61, she was inspired to bring attention to the the condition of the sacred waters by walking around the Great Lakes.  Between 2003 and 2017, it is estimated she walked 17,000 miles and inspired a tradition around the world.  In the Anishinaabe, water or Nibi, is associated with Mother Earth and it is the responsibility of grandmothers to lead other women in praying for and protecting the water.  Ms. Marks honors listeners by singing the "Nibi (Water) Song." Ne-be Gee Zah-gay-e-goo Gee Me-gwetch-wayn ne-me-goo Gee Zah Wayn ne-me-goo.