THUNDER BAY — Dozens gathered in the Spirit Garden's Celebration Circle to honour the legacy of Josephine Mandamin, who dedicated her life to protecting the waters and advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental conservation.
Regina Mandamin, Josephine's daughter, said it’s surreal to know that her mother has made such an impact on many lives.
“It’s exciting, a big honour. Our family is really proud. It’s really nice to see this all come together,” Regina said, adding that her mother was a very determined, kind and generous person.
“She really taught us a hard work ethic, and she was just so compassionate and empathetic.”
A residential school survivor who attended St. Joseph’s School for Girls in Spanish, Ont. from 1948 to 1954, Mandamin was a passionate, world-renowned water rights advocate who spent more than a decade walking around the Great Lakes to raise awareness about water pollution and environmental degradation.
She was known as "Grandmother Water Walker."
“It’s nice to see her recognized," Regina said. "We’re bringing awareness to the work and the water walkers who helped her and the people of the lodge as well. Also, about our beautiful culture as Anishinaabe People and our teachings around the water,” she said.
"It’s important for indigenous and non-indigenous people to learn about how to work together to preserve the water and take care of Mother Earth," she said.
“It’s really nice to see her message communicated through this every day to people. It’s a really fulfilling moment for sure.”
Cora Mcguire-Cyrette, CEO of Ontario Native Women’s Association, said they are honouring Josephine for the legacy she left behind on protecting water.
“She was a part of ONWA and had many different leadership roles.
“This is really good for the community to recognize and support Indigenous women’s leadership,” she said.
Mcguire-Cyrette said now is the time for us to take that responsibility to really look at how we’re contributing to this water crisis.
“We need to start to protect the environment, and the time is now.
Jon Hamilton, vice-president of communications at Canada Post, said Josephine Mandamin should be honoured.
“We do an Indigenous leaders’ series of stamps every year. We pick compelling stories and work with Indigenous groups.
“The Assembly of First Nations said that Mandamin’s story should be shared. And we absolutely agreed,” he said
Hamilton said they worked with the family, ensuring they get the best picture and ensuring they are telling her story in the right way.
“It’s a tremendous honour to work with the family. It has always been special because it means the stories are going to live on, and now more people will learn about her story,” he said.
Mandamin trekked more than 25,000 km, including around all five Great Lakes, to spread the message of the need to preserve that sacred life-giving gift of water.
“The kilometres she walked, and dedicating her life to that is a story that so many people should know.
“We’re so happy to be a small part in telling that story,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said when he met her family and friends, he saw the legacy she left is much deeper than just that.
“It’s in the family members that are proud. It’s the friends; it’s the people she mentored and taught along the way. The people she inspired. They all come out.
Seeing a large gathering for Mandamin, telling these beautiful stories about her, you get to learn more about her and be so proud that we put the image up,” he said
Hamilton said the series of three stamps, including Josephine Mandamin will be available across the country very shortly.
“Because there’s only so much room on a stamp, on our website, we tell the full story. We want people to get that information and be inspired by the stamp,” Hamilton said.
For more information visit Canada Post’s website.