London, Ontario March 22nd, 2022 – Today is World Water Day and the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians would like to highlight the importance of the role water plays in the lives of Indigenous Peoples. Every day many Indigenous communities are without clean drinking water due to inadequate facilities, infrastructure and pollution. AIAI wants to recognize the water through songs and teachings from our women that hold a sacred connection to the water.
Grand Chief Joel Abram states “I’ve known Olive Elm, our AIAI Elder, for many years and she has been an amazing teacher to so many of us. Today, we share with you a video we made with her to give a thanks giving address to the water and prayer in the language, an explanation of what it means, and a teaching. The teaching will be explained, and it is our hope that those watching it will gain a better understanding as to why we hold it so important in our lives and why we need to take better care of it.”
Deputy Grand Chief Stacia Loft states “Amanda Doxtator and Dorothy Taylor sent us videos to share that will assist us in gaining an understanding of the importance of water, and the role that water plays. Of particular cultural significance are the responsibilities women hold as carriers and caretakers of the waters. These waters nurture and protect us while in the womb and when we enter this world.”
AIAI’s water videos, displays prayers, teachings and song, and can be found on the AIAI YouTube Channel – Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians AIAI – YouTube
or our social media channels on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/aiai.pto
or our website which is included below. Nya:wen, Miigwetch, Yaw^ko, Anushiik
AIAI is mandated as a Political Territorial Organizations (PTO) to defend and enhance the Indigenous and Treaty rights of our seven member First Nations. Our member nations include: Batchewana First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Eelunaapeewii Lahkeewiit, Hiawatha First Nation, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and the Wahta Mohawks. Learn more at www.aiai.on.ca, on twitter @AIAI_comms and on Facebook
For more information and media inquiries please contact Ira Timothy, Communications Coordinator for A.I.A.I at (519) 434-2761 or email at Itimothy@aiai.on.ca
