Several Sisters of St. Joseph participated in the World Water Day rally in London, on March 22, 2019. The aim of the rally was threefold: to protest the poor condition of drinking water in First Nations communities; to highlight the infringement of First Nations water rights in the water bottling process; to stress environmental issues related to water.
The rally began at eleven a.m. in Victoria Park amid drumming and prayers. The event was organized by the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI). Sister Sue Wilson csj, in her opening remarks, explained how joining in activities such as World Water Day increases awareness: “When the Sisters of St. Joseph became a Blue Community, it was a wider effort to deepen our relationship with the watershed. And we are learning from Indigenous neighbours to reconnect with the watershed as a source of life, as relation, as a spiritual connection”.
Following the introductory rites, the participants marched through downtown London and arrived at Harris Park where a moving tobacco ceremony ensued. Each person was given tobacco to be held in the left hand. We formed silent intentions and were invited to release the tobacco into the swiftly flowing Thames River. This sacred action was a testimonial that allowed The Creator to receive anyone’s pain, suffering and injustice. Interestingly, it was noted that the wind calmed and all was silent as we cast our offering into the water.
The day’s events were both prayerful and solemn. The friendship experienced among the group left a lasting imprint upon Mother Earth as we danced together hand in hand to the beat of the sacred drum.
- Linda Parent csj
- Jean Moylan csj