Water

It is well known that Indigenous peoples have a strong reverence for the land and how it is treated. Ms. Worthington’s quill box is indicative of the relationships between Indigenous people with the land and water. Water is of significance to Indigenous people but plays a vital role among Indigenous women. For instance, Anishinabek women are considered keepers of water and this idea is attributed to the fact that women are givers of life, as well as having abilities to communicate with the spiritual world (McGuire, 2008). Anderson, Clow, and Haworth-Brockman (2013) further delineate the special connection between water and women in Aboriginal societies and that this connection has spiritual significance. Accordingly, Indigenous women may be called upon to perform certain water ceremonies e.g., the water dance (McGuire, 2008). Additionally, Indigenous women of Canada are considered the speaker for and protectors of water (McGregor, 2009). However, colonization has resulted in the oppression of women—despite this fact water knowledge continues to be maintained by Indigenous women of Canada (McGregor, 2009). Furthermore, Indigenous women of North American have been in the forefront in bringing attention and knowledge to our water issues. As an example, Josephine Mandamin an Anishinaabe elder has led the way in acknowledging the need for water preservation by “walking around the Great Lakes” (McGregor, 2009, p. 139). The following video offers information pertaining to Josephine knowledge pertaining to women, sovereignty, and water.