Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles Water Walk

2000 South Upton Avenue,Minneapolis MN 55405

16 July, 2021

Description

You’re invited to a Nibi (Water) Walk Ceremony around Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles. Experience Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles from the perspective of an Indigenous-led water walking ceremony open to all people. This walk is led by Sharon M. Day (Bois Fort Band of Ojibwe), with historical information presented by Ramona Kitto Stately (Santee Sioux Nation) and poetry from Strong Buffalo (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Oyate). After listening to indigenous stories and experiencing the Lakes by walking around them, we will join in community visioning for the future of these parks. This walk is a community collaboration between Nibi Walks and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board as part of the process of planning the future of Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles. Walk begins and ends at Cedar Lake East Beach (a.k.a. Hidden Beach). The 5.5 miles route is on pedestrian trails, sidewalks, dirt paths, and crosses intersections. It begins by traveling north from the East Beach. 9:00 Learn about the Indigenous history of the Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles area from guest speaker Ramona Stately. 9:30 Ceremony begins with community guidelines 10:00 Walk begins 12:00 (estimated) Walkers return to starting point. Light snacks will be available. Poetry interlude by Strong Buffalo Community visioning time for the Park’s future. 1:00 Closing This is a water ceremony The Nibi Water Walks are based in Ojibwe Ceremonial Water Teachings. The reason we walk is to honor the rivers and all water and to speak to the water spirits so that there will be healthy rivers, lakes and oceans for our ancestors in the generations to come. Because we are in ceremony women are asked to wear long skirts. Listen to the Water as your walk In order to listen to the water, there is no conversation during the walk. Singing prayer songs for the water is a beautiful thing to do. All that you hear and observe during our water walk will be integrated in our park visioning activity at the end of the walk. Walk with the Water This means we strive to move at a pace that is similar to the pace water travels in a river. The water never stops and neither do we. When passing the water or approaching an intersection we may slow down but we do not stop or go backwards. We are Walking Together Walking as a group and staying close together with the water helps keep the groups’ focus on the water. Walking as a group, we feel our connection and movement together and how we are moving as a community. We walk in relay We use a relay method to collectively preserve our strength. On water walks no one walks the whole way; relay is essential for traveling great distances. If you are finding yourself falling behind from the group give yourself a rest and take advantage of the support van which will be following along the walk. Each time someone passes the water or Eagle staff they say Ninga izhichige nibi onji– Anishinabe language for “I will do it for the water.” Both the person giving the water and the person receiving the water say it. For more information about the Nibi Walk protocols check out http://www.nibiwalk.org/protocols-for-the-nibi-walks/ You do not need to walk the entire way No one has to walk the whole way – walk the distance that works for you. Our van will support you. What to bring Please check the weather that morning and wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You may bring your own drinking water bottle for the walk, as needed. A water refilling station will be available in the van and at the end of the walk. We recommend not to bring more than what you require for the nature of this activity. Recording of any kind will not be allowed for a specified segment of the ceremony to keep sacred rituals safe, notice will be provided. Parking: Street parking is available on West 21st Street and neighboring streets. Please do not leave valuables in your car. Sharon M. Day, Ojibwe is enrolled in the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. She is a second degree M’dewin. She has served as the Executive Director of Indigenous Peoples Task Force since 1990. Ms. Day is also a grandmother, artist, musician, and writer. In 1998, the M’dewin were called to help the Mendota Dakota people save a spring that is sacred to the Dakota. The road was built 200 feet from the spring but the spring still flows. In 2003, when Grandmother Josephine Mandamin walked Lake Superior, Sharon walked two days on the eastern shore near Lake Superior Provincial Park in Ontario. Since then, she has led 20 water walks, leading several each year, and has traveled nearly 10,000 river miles. Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Nation. Her educational background includes a BA in Dakota Art and Culture, and a MAE-Teacher Leadership. She worked in Indian Education for the Osseo Area School District 2005-2020 and has been the Chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association since 2018. Currently she serves as the Project Director of We Are Still Here MN. Tatanka Ohitika (Strong Buffalo) is an enrolled member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Oyate, AIM member and a decorated Vietnam Veteran (US Marine Corps). He has been writing and performing his original poetry around the world since 1970. The Nibi (Water) Walks are Indigenous-led, extended ceremonies to pray for the water. Every step is taken in prayer and gratitude for water, our life giving force. Nibi Walk if a program of the non-profit organization the Indigenous Peoples Task Force. Water walks are a grassroots effort that rely on community support.