Paganicon 2017

The Nibi Walks are Indigenous led ceremonial walks along the rivers to pray for the waterways. Virtually all of our waterways are in crisis due to environmental degradation and pollution caused by agricultural run-off, mining, pipelines and development. In Minnesota, the only area of the state with pristine waters is the arrowhead region. Here, we are proposing sulfide mining. What can we do to preserve our waterways? What can we do to ensure we clean up our environment? What is environmental justice?

Led by Anishinaabe Grandmothers, Water Walks respect the truth that water is a life giver, and because women also give life they are the keepers of the water. In Anishinaabe religion prophecies were given before contact with light skinned people. The prophecies state that when the world has been befouled and the waters turned bitter by disrespect, human beings will have two options to choose from: materialism or spirituality. If they chose spirituality, they would survive, but if they chose materialism, that choice would be the end of humanity (“The Seven Fires Prophecy”). We choose spirituality and duality with all people who now live on Turtle Island, regardless of their ancestry. We unite with others and walk towards love and a better future for our grandchildren.

Water Walks are focused and implemented in faith: faith in the water spirits, faith in the earth, faith in humankind and faith in the power of love. No amount of money is more powerful than these forces. When we spend time respecting and thanking the water for keeping us alive, it becomes impossible to abuse it. When we spend time praying for the water, we spend time praying for ourselves; in praying for ourselves we pray for all of our relatives.

http://www.nibiwalk.org/about/