Inspired by Junior Water Walkers, Peter Cameron, Joanne Robertson, and Nokomis, the Anji Inaashkawun team prepared this activity sheet to invite you to appreciate the importance of water and how we can care for it. It connects World Water Day with Indigenous teachings about respecting water as life. Through simple activities like visiting local water sources, drawing, and sharing stories, you can build a personal connection to water. Take some time to reflect, connect and act for water in your own way, for example through music, art, or silently walking by the water.
Underwater life – Curiosity is represented by the large underwater creatures, the sturgeon and the turtle. We aim to approach our work with open minds and curiosity.
Strawberry (Ode’iminin) - Strawberries are the only fruit that carry their seeds on the outside, to teach us to be vulnerable.
Their leaves grow in clusters of three. They spread from their roots to keep each other company. Just like strawberries,
humans grow better together. This represents the importance of our abilities to be vulnerable and our willingness to grow in this work together.
Sun – The sun represents the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all things. For Indigenous peoples, water quantity
and quality are not only ecological and health issues but also parts of a much broader holistic perspective which recognizes
that all aspects of Creation are interrelated (Cave & McKay, 2016;
McGregor, 2012).
Four women - The four women represent the four directions and the different generations working together. Indigenous women in
particular share a sacred connection to the spirit of water through their role as child bearers and have responsibilities to
protect and nurture water. Men have a role in supporting women in their work for the water. The four women represent our commitment
to uplift indigenous women's leadership. The relationship women have with N'bi is based on their ability to carry and bring forth
life-mirroring creation (Cave & McKay, 2016;
McGregor, 2012).
Medicines - The medicines represent and highlight the spiritual, cultural, and ecological relationships that are deeply woven in this work.
