Unity Paddle and Water Walk 2014 – August 11, 2014

In the Spirit of Unifying the People, the Land and the Water:
A Gift of Life, showing a great and good spirit exists in the defence and protection of our destiny in our ever evolving history on Turtle Island.

With humility and honor this Unity Paddle and Water Walk, manifest through our youth and our Elders is being brought to you to join in.

In every turn of the paddle and with the energy moving through our sacred water, the ancestral routes of travel by water and by canoe is engrained in our history and blood memory. Now in this current turn of our ever evolving living heritage, it falls to our youth to assume the work interrupted 500 years ago. The children are to continue our sacred journey as Anishinabek. They will navigate unity for all original peoples of Turtle Island, humanity and Creation.

Our sacred fires shall be lit, water ceremonies and canoes shall launch and the youth shall carry on with the blessings of the light the sun, the moon and the stars. It is with great joy that the Elders and the Youth have the opportunity to participate in an event focused on the health and wellness of our future. The Gift of Life of the Anishinabek.. peoples, showing a great and good spirit exists in the defence and protection of our destiny in harmony with Creation. Elder Corrine Tooshkenig, Bkejwanong
We thank you for your interest, support and sponsorship in the decision to be involved with the Unity Paddle and Water Walk. It is time to see the ideas of our youth become manifest through the labors of our united communal volunteerism and co-operation amongst our collective communities.

Miigwetch, Thank you for your dedication and support to help the youth with this task. This event is a Celebration of Unity. It is not a protest or a demonstration.

The Route:
Commencing at Lake Huron at Aazhoodena – Stony Point Lakefront to Kettle Point, south to the St. Clair River and on to Aamjiwnaang, through to Bkejwanong – Walpole Island ending on Lake St. Clair
August 11, 2014 – MONDAY (as of July 15, 2014)
6:00 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony Aazhoodena – Stony Point – Light the Sacred Fire
12:00 p.m. Ceremonies at Aazhoodena – Set up camp at Kettle Point
6:00 p.m. Gathering at Aazhoodena Beach for Sand Teachings – Overnight camping at Kettle Point

August 12, 2014 – TUESDAY
6:00 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony at Aazhhoodena

7:00 a.m. Launch Canoes & Water Walkers 70km – Shoreline Aazhoodena to Kettle Point

LUNCH at Kettle Point
Teachings at Kettle Point
Lakeshore Road at Point Preference 60km Lakeshore Road at Forest Line 50 km

REST Lakeshore Road & Oil Heritage Road Beach at Highland Glen Conservation Area
45km PJ
REST AT BEACH Queen St. & Fleming 37 km PJ
Egremont Road and Dalrymple 36 km
Old Lakeshore and Waterworks Rd. 30.5 km
DINNER (Place to be determined or on your own)
Close for the day
Camping at Aamjiwnaang or near Brights Grove

August 13, 2014 – WEDNESDAY
6:00 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony enroute
BREAKFAST – on your own –

7:00 a.m. Launch Canoes and Water Walkers
Lakeshore Road and Telford Side Road 26 km Modeland Road at Cathcart Boulevard 21 km

LUNCH noon BBQ (place to be determined)
GREET PADDLERS AT THE SOULS MONUMENT, BLUE WATER BRIDGE
From Lake Huron to the St. Clair River at Souls Monument 13 km

REST Enji Onamayaang (Mission) Park PJ
Front Street, Enji Onamayaang Park 8.3 km PJ
Close for the day at Aamjiwnaang 0 km
DINNER & Sweatlodge and Social at Aamjiwnaang
Camping at Aamjiwnaang

August 14, 2014 – THURSDAY
6:00 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony at Aamjiwnaang
BREAKFAST at Aamjiwnaang
7:00 a.m. Launch Canoes and Water Walkers
NEED KMs from AMJN to BKEJ
REST at TBD
LUNCH at TBD
REST at TBD
7:00 p.m. Arrive at BKEJWANONG
FEAST and Closing Ceremonies Bkejwanong
Sunset Closing of the Sacred Fire at BKEJ
CONTACT INFORMATION:

See the Facebook Group: Unity Paddle and Water Walk 2014

Canoe Paddle: Theo Blackbird-John, Bkejwanong
FB group: Unity Canoe Paddle and Water Walk 2014
Blackbird.inm@gmail.com P 226-627-4477
Water Walk: Corinne Tooshkenig, Elder Bkejwanong

Canoe Paddle: Sylvia Plain, Aamjiwnaang
Water Walk: Stephanie Rogers Aamjiwnaang
FB Unity Paddle and Water Walk 2014
srogers5@cogeco.ca P 519 339 0123 F 519 339 0129

Canoe Paddle & Water Walk: TBD by AAZH & K&SP

PEACE & SAFETY COORDINATOR: Greg Plain
Sarnia Police escort needed for safety between Bright Grove and Modeland road due to Water main Construction on Lakeshore. (PJ denotes Porta-John)