Waasekom Niin, 23, of Saugeen First Nation has set out on a month long Nibi Onji Canoe Journey, a "Water Walk" from Aazhoodenang, Stoney Point First Nation near Sarnia and ending at the Great Lakes Gathering in Ojibway Park at Garden River First Nation mid July. The journey is to raise awareness and, through ceremony, learn what needs to be done to preserve the Great Lakes.

Hub Staff

Waasekom Niin, 23, of Saugeen First Nation was called to the water and began his ceremonial Nibi Onji Canoe Journey, June 15 in Aazhoodenang, Stoney Point First Nation.

In total, Waasekom Niin plans to spend a month on the water, traveling by canoe and ending his journey on July 15 in Ojibway Park at Grand River First Nation, at the Great Lakes Gathering, a gathering filled with tradition and ceremony, for Anishinaabeg, Métis and supporters to come together and, under the guidance of an Elders’ Council, meet and discuss issues and actions toward the preservation and well being of the Great Lakes.

“We know this is a Great Lake... in a way we think that it belongs to us, but really... we belong to it,” said Waasekom Niin along the Lake Huron shoreline when he made a stop in Port Elgin June 23, his sixth day on the water. “We take advantage because this is what we know.”

From using water to generate power, to fracking; burying low level radioactive waste as well as dangers from agricultural runoffs, Waasekom Niin believes that as global citizens we are taking too much, and that it “all has a cost”.

While on the water, Waasekom Niin knows that awareness of these issues has been widespread and publicized for many years, especially through previous Water Walks, and although bringing awareness to the cause is wonderful, Waasekom Niin hopes his Water Walk will do more.

“For me it’s the next step. To ask a question, what more can we do for the water?”

Waasekom Niin continued, “the part that’s really difficult to talk about is that this is being done in ceremony. When I'm out there (on the water) I'm praying and I'm saying, ‘Thank you, I love you, help me, help me so I can do this.’ This is where we’re at as people. I'm kind of pitiful in what I'm doing here, so have compassion for me, because I'm trying to understand what more there is for us to do.”

Last year Waasekom Niin joined Water Walker and First Nations Elder of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Josephine Mandamin, and walked the shoreline from Sarnia to Tobermory with her. Mandamin’s Water Walk around the Great Lakes totalled over 17,000 kilometres.

“The final Water Walk will begin at Madeline Island in Wisconsin. From there we travel (by canoe) to Quebec through the Great Lakes,” said Waasekom Niin, adding that the route will “retrace our steps on how we migrated around the Great Lakes.”

When Waasekom Niin finishes his journey, he knows his work won’t stop. “I’ll always share. This isn't for me and it’s not about me. It’s about doing what the water says.” Waasekom Niin added that there is yet lots to learn. “In all of that learning, I’ll figure out what that answer will be.”

Waasekom Niin's Water Walk can be seen online through his SPOT personal tracker, that updates every 10 minutes.

You can also follow Waasekom Niin’s personal updates on his Nibi Onji Canoe Journey Facebook page.

For information on the Great Lakes Gathering, visit their Facebook page.

To support Waasekom Niin on his Nibi Onji Canoe Journey you can do so through his gofundme page.

To support the Great Lakes Gathering, visit their gofundmepage.

Last updated: October 2, 2019