PRESS RELEASE
Water is Life Walk ~ Penobscot River
July 4, 2016 – August 1, 2016
FROM: The Headwaters of the West Branch and East Branch
TO: Penobscot Bay ~ Sandy Point Beach Park
The theme for the Water is Life Walks ~ Penobscot River is the same theme of all the
walks, since 2011: “I will do it for the water”.
Grandmother Josephine Mandamin decided to walk for the water, and others joined her
and others are inspired by her; Carole Blodgett is one of those that is inspired by her to
Walk for the Water. Inspired by the work and words of other Grandmothers like Mona
Palaka and Angus Pilgrim to come back to the water she went on a Quest and stepped
out to follow the vision and direction from that Quest.
Carole says, “Walking the Water is a healing prayer, every step is a prayer not just for
healing the water but for healing the broken connection between human beings and the
water that is the SOURCE OF ALL LIFE. We have forgotten the sacred nature of the water
as we have begun to see it as a RESOURCE to be bought and sold. The waters of the
Penobscot River sustain the life of the human beings. The trees and plants hold the
water within the soil and provide the air we breathe, the foods that feeds us, the
animals that bring beauty and balance to the forests, fields and farms, the animals that
make the milk and eggs to feed us all ~ The SacredWater is the unifying force of all
things within the Web of Life.
This is an Indigenous lead Interfaith walk, for we all must come together now to heal the
SacredWater ~ we are seeing Water Wars throughout the US and the world ~ oil spills,
fracking, radiation contamination, GMO’s and Chemical contamination are decimating
the SacredWater. If we do not know what is happening in and near our watershed we
can not protect the Source. Nothing and No One lives without water.
We will gather the clear, clean waters of the headwaters and we will walk carrying them
water every step of the way. Singing and praying for Nepi the SacredWater of All Life.
Our ancestors cut these waters in their birch bark canoes from source to the sea with
many portage trails alone the way! As we travel down the river we will address the
dams along the river. Each dam obstructs the natural flow of the water and movement
of the fish and wildlife that are needed to sustain a healthy river. Each dam creates a
catch-basin for pollutants and organic waste from the mills and communities upstream
so the pollution builds up as we go down the river.
You do not have to belong to a Tribal Nation for this to affect you ~ we where all born of
the water ~ all our children where born of the water and all our grandchildren will be
born of the water. If we do nothing WHAT KIND OF WATER will they spend those first
nine months in??
What can I do to help?
~ Join the planning and preparation team ~ your knowledge of the river and your
town is valuable to me as I live in Connecticut ~ we need planning
committees for 1) opening and closing events 2) housing or camping 3) food
donations 4) local speaking events along the river 5) Media (radio, TV and
news) 6) police notifications 7) fund raising and donations from local
businesses (food or needed items or cash)
~ SHOW UP ~ any time ~ any day ~ any where along the river.
~ Women come and Carry the Water, prepare food for the walkers, watch after
the children and elders in base camp. Hold sacred space in base camp along
with the fire tenders bringing a balance of masculine and feminine energies
around the Sacred Fire.
~ Open your home or yard to feed lunch or dinner to the walkers.
~ Set up a watering station alone the road when we get to your town (NO
~ Donate firewood for the Sacred Fire.
~ Plan an evening event and gather neighbors ~ you find the place and we will
~ Prepaid gas cards for the follow car ~ carrying snacks and water, medicines and
~ Contact us and we can let you know what we need that you can offer.
~ If you can Click the DONATE button your funds will pay for camp sites, food,
BOTTLED WATER PLEASE) all walkers will carry refillable water bottles.
come and share about the water and why we are walking.
first aide supplies, and elders who want to join but can not walk
firewood and gas for the support car and whatever else may be needed
Donate
Contact: Carole Blodgett
60 Butts Rd Apt 24
Woodstock, CT 06281
Home ~ 860-315-7034
Cell ~ 860-336-6819 (no reception at home ~ only for on the road)
NurtureTheChildren@hotmail.com (Water is Life in the subject line)
PRESS RELEASE
Water is Life Walk ~ Penobscot River
July 4, 2016 – August 1, 2016
FROM: The Headwaters of the West Branch and East Branch
TO: Penobscot Bay ~ Sandy Point Beach Park
The theme for the Water is Life Walks ~ Penobscot River is the same theme of all the
walks, since 2011: “I will do it for the water”.
Grandmother Josephine Mandamin decided to walk for the water, and others joined her
and others are inspired by her; Carole Blodgett is one of those that is inspired by her to
Walk for the Water. Inspired by the work and words of other Grandmothers like Mona
Palaka and Angus Pilgrim to come back to the water she went on a Quest and stepped
out to follow the vision and direction from that Quest.
Carole says, “Walking the Water is a healing prayer, every step is a prayer not just for
healing the water but for healing the broken connection between human beings and the
water that is the SOURCE OF ALL LIFE. We have forgotten the sacred nature of the water
as we have begun to see it as a RESOURCE to be bought and sold. The waters of the
Penobscot River sustain the life of the human beings. The trees and plants hold the
water within the soil and provide the air we breathe, the foods that feeds us, the
animals that bring beauty and balance to the forests, fields and farms, the animals that
make the milk and eggs to feed us all ~ The SacredWater is the unifying force of all
things within the Web of Life.
This is an Indigenous lead Interfaith walk, for we all must come together now to heal the
SacredWater ~ we are seeing Water Wars throughout the US and the world ~ oil spills,
fracking, radiation contamination, GMO’s and Chemical contamination are decimating
the SacredWater. If we do not know what is happening in and near our watershed we
can not protect the Source. Nothing and No One lives without water.
We will gather the clear, clean waters of the headwaters and we will walk carrying them
water every step of the way. Singing and praying for Nepi the SacredWater of All Life.
Our ancestors cut these waters in their birch bark canoes from source to the sea with
many portage trails alone the way! As we travel down the river we will address the
dams along the river. Each dam obstructs the natural flow of the water and movement
of the fish and wildlife that are needed to sustain a healthy river. Each dam creates a
catch-basin for pollutants and organic waste from the mills and communities upstream
so the pollution builds up as we go down the river.
You do not have to belong to a Tribal Nation for this to affect you ~ we where all born of
the water ~ all our children where born of the water and all our grandchildren will be
born of the water. If we do nothing WHAT KIND OF WATER will they spend those first
nine months in??
What can I do to help?
~ Join the planning and preparation team ~ your knowledge of the river and your
town is valuable to me as I live in Connecticut ~ we need planning
committees for 1) opening and closing events 2) housing or camping 3) food
donations 4) local speaking events along the river 5) Media (radio, TV and
news) 6) police notifications 7) fund raising and donations from local
businesses (food or needed items or cash)
~ SHOW UP ~ any time ~ any day ~ any where along the river.
~ Women come and Carry the Water, prepare food for the walkers, watch after
the children and elders in base camp. Hold sacred space in base camp along
with the fire tenders bringing a balance of masculine and feminine energies
around the Sacred Fire.
~ Open your home or yard to feed lunch or dinner to the walkers.
~ Set up a watering station alone the road when we get to your town (NO
~ Donate firewood for the Sacred Fire.
~ Plan an evening event and gather neighbors ~ you find the place and we will
~ Prepaid gas cards for the follow car ~ carrying snacks and water, medicines and
~ Contact us and we can let you know what we need that you can offer.
~ If you can Click the DONATE button your funds will pay for camp sites, food,
BOTTLED WATER PLEASE) all walkers will carry refillable water bottles.
come and share about the water and why we are walking.
first aide supplies, and elders who want to join but can not walk
firewood and gas for the support car and whatever else may be needed
Donate
Contact: Carole Blodgett
60 Butts Rd Apt 24
Woodstock, CT 06281
Home ~ 860-315-7034
Cell ~ 860-336-6819 (no reception at home ~ only for on the road)
NurtureTheChildren@hotmail.com (Water is Life in the subject line)
Water is Life Water Walk 