Josephine Mandamin facts for kids

Josephine Mandamin (whose Anishinaabemowin name was Biidaasige-ba, meaning "The one who comes with the light") was a respected Anishinaabe grandmother and elder. She was born on February 21, 1942, and passed away on February 22, 2019. Josephine was a key leader in the water protectors movement. She survived the Canadian Indian residential school system and started the Mother Earth Water Walkers. During her life, she walked about 25,000 miles (40,000 km). She walked around the shorelines of the Great Lakes and other North American waterways. She carried a bucket of water to show how important it is to protect our water from pollution.

Josephine Mandamin's Early Life

Josephine Henrietta Mandamin (born Trudeau) was born on February 21, 1942. She came from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Josephine married Andrew Mandamin. She was a mother to eight children, a grandmother to thirteen, and a great-grandmother to sixteen.

From 1948 to 1954, Josephine attended the St. Joseph's Residential School for Girls. This school was in Spanish, Ontario. She moved to Thunder Bay in 1979. There, she worked at Kashadaying residence and Mino Bimaadiziwin. She also led Beendigen Inc. and the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA). Josephine retired in 2006.

The Water Walk Movement Begins

Lake Michigan Upper Peninsula. This was one of the first shorelines Grandmother Mandamin walked to protect the waters.

The water walk movement started in 2003. Grandmother Josephine Mandamin was worried about pollution in lakes and rivers. These waterways are across Turtle Island (North America). An elder shared a prophecy with Josephine. It warned that "water will cost as much as gold" by the year 2030.

For the Anishinaabe people, water is connected to Mother Earth. Grandmothers have a special role. They lead other women in praying for and protecting the water. After the first walk around Lake Superior in 2003, the walks became an annual spring event. Spring shows new growth and renewal for the earth. The work continues today through a group called Nibi Emosaawdamajig. This means "Those Who Walk for the Water." Shirley Williams and her niece Elizabeth Osawamick now lead this group.

Mandamin was the Chief Commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation Women's Water Walk Commission. She was also a member of the Great Lakes Guardian Council. Since 2003, Mandamin walked the shorelines of all the Great Lakes. This covered about 17,000 miles (27,200 km). Her total walking distance for water was over 25,000 kilometers. She finished her last water walk in the summer of 2017.

The Water Walker Book

A book called The Water Walker was created in 2017. Joanne Robertson wrote and illustrated it. You can find it through Second Story Press. The book tells the story of Grandmother Josephine. It shares her deep love for Nibi (which means "water" in Anishinaabemowin). The book follows her walking journey. It has colorful pictures and guides to help you say Anishinaabemowin words.

Later Life and Lasting Impact

Steamboat Lake in Minnesota at Sunset 2019. Grandmother Mandamin worked for clean water for future generations.

After retiring, Mandamin went back to school in 2009. In 2013, she graduated from Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. She earned a degree in Anishinaabemowin. She was also a high-ranking member of the Midewiwin society. She served on its Grandmothers' Council.

Josephine Mandamin passed away on February 22, 2019. This was just one day after her 77th birthday.

Awards and Her Legacy

Steamboat Lake in Minnesota. Josephine Mandamin spoke up for protecting all bodies of water.

Josephine Mandamin received many honors for her work. In 2012, she got the Anishinabek Nation Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2016, she received the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation. On January 26, 2018, Josephine was given the Governor General's Meritorious Service Decoration. This award recognized her leadership and efforts for Indigenous people.

She also received honors from the Native Women's Association of Canada and the Ontario Native Women's Association. In 2019, the Great Lakes Guardian Council honored her water protection work. The City of Thunder Bay also recognized her during Women's History Month in 2019. In 2022, a school in Brampton was renamed "Nibi Emosaawdang." This means "water walker" in English, honoring Mandamin.

Autumn Peltier, Josephine Mandamin's grand-niece, was inspired by her aunt. She continues Josephine's work as a water protector and advocate.