b"IN MEMORIAM Supporting drinking water systems One in First Nations communitiesLastWaterSong forManaging Drinking Water SystemsJosephinein First Nations CommunitiesA course designed for First Nations management Mandamin with operational responsibility for drinking water systemsBY TREVOR GREYEYES W ikwemikong First NationAs part of the Mother Earth Water lost one of its brightestWalk, Mandamin had walked around souls with the passingthe shores of all five Great Lakes of Elder Josephineon Turtle Island, a distance of over Mandamin in February 2019. She was17,000 km.known in her community as Water Walker. Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Glen Hare, Grand Council Chief ofArchibald spoke about Mandamin to the Anishinabek Nation, told CBC, WeCBC: One of the things she was clear have lost a great advocate, teacher andabout is that women particularly have role model. She will be so deeply misseda sacred responsibility to protect water. by all and will be fondly remembered forShe did that by choosing to raise aware-all of what she did to protect the water. ness that water is not only sacred but its Mandamins concern with protectingour lifeline.the rivers and lakes from pollution ledMandamin received many awards her to co-found Mother Earth Waterand recognition for her work, including: Walk, an initiative focused on sharingthe 2012 Anishinabek Nation LifetimeEntry-LevelCourse POWERtraditional knowledge about the need forAchievement Award, the 2016 Lieu-WORKERS' UNION: clean water and to protect the water. tenant Governors Ontario HeritageforDrinkingWaterOperatorsAs women, we are carriers of theAward for Excellence in Conservation The People Whowater. We carry life for the people. Soand the 2018 Governor Generals Meri- for First Nations torious Service Decoration.when we carry that water, we are telling Help Keep Thepeople that we will go any lengths for theIn 2017, a book written and illus-Lights ON water. Well probably even give our livestrated by Joanne Robertson called TheProvides operators with a basicfor the water if we have to. We may atWater Walker was released, telling theunderstanding of water characteristics and some point have to die for the water, andstory of Grandmother Josephine with her we dont want that, Mandamin said. love and respect for Nibi (water).public health, water science and mathematics, treatment and distribution systemsp From Water Song, written by Doreen Day: Forinformation: Ne-be Gee Zah- gay- e- goo wcwc.ca/firstnationszone or training@wcwc.caGee Me-gwetch -wayn ne- me gooGee Zah Wayn ne- me- goo 866-515-055056l ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE"