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COMMUNITY VICKY WOLSKE DEFENDS THE SACRED ° WATER IS LIFE AND IT NEEDS OUR HELP’ KIM ZARZOUR kzarzour@yrmg.com Vicky Wolske watched sang to it about beauty and love — and Wolske's heart swelled. As a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Is- land, Wolske thrilled to see this multicultural group at Bruce's Mill Water Festival learning important lessons. about water, themselves and Indigenous teachings that were, for many years, buried in shame. There was a time, not long ago, when sacred knowledge was kept secret, this honouring of traditi and respect for Mother Earth. Residential schools and the Sixties Scoop drove First Nation | ales and ceremonies hiding. Women, Heaaitionally keep- ers of water, the source of all life, could not do their work without fear. Today, Wolske is work- ing hard to revive those cer- emonies through pro- grams like the one at Bruce's Mill Conservation Area—and she sees reason for hope. The “jar experiment" is one such example. Throughout the day, Grade 4 students visited her enta and le learned about e of water, the Heblood “of Mother Earth and precious re- source connecting us all. She invited them to par- take in an intriguing exper- iment with two jars of wa- ter: one jar received all bathtunén Full-Service Bath Remodel: Breathe Life Back Into Your Bathroom Bathtubs / Showers / Conversions / Full Remodels Steve Somenville/Metroland Vicky Wolske, a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, leads students through a traditional water ceremony at the York Children's Water Festival at Bruce's Mill. Here she pours water onto the base of a tree to help nourish and cleanse, and maintain purity. their energy and love. They Later, the water sam- spoke to itwithkindwords, ples, frozen then thawed, ming and song. The showed “definite differenc- other jar, they ignored. es," Wolske said. The loved BAPTIST water melted in beautiful nowflake-like formations. “We must be kind to the water in our lakes, rivers and streams, and we must also be kind to ourselves, as vessels for water that flows through our bodies," she told them. Wolske shared a similar message at Aurora High School where she was in- vited to guide students’ Wa- ter Walk ceremon: Unlike previous ‘genera- tions, these young people seemed open and respect- ful toward Indigenous teachings, clamouring for to take part in smudging and learn more about this land's nearly for- water work continues this month with ie third annual paddle around Shining Waters — a.k.a. Lake Simcoe, the wa- ters of the Anishinaabe ter- ritory — to raise awareness of its need for protection. Later this summer, she joins the massive west coast tribal canoe journey, 120 | GE the first team representing § Ontario's First Nation: Wolske, a mother “and o grandmother, sees work as twofold: eee aden rf precious resources for fu- | ture generations, and fight- Ay ing the shame racism 2 that has dogged Canada's = First Nations for genera- £ tions. g "This has always been & my passion," she said. = "Growing up, hearing the x love my mother had for 8 the water; whenever she needed time to herself or had struggles, she went to the water and found peace." Now, more than ever, the water needs our help, she said. "It's not just an Indige- nous problem. It's every- one's. My wish is that we all take care of Shkagamik- Kwe, Mother Earth.” SCAN THIS CODE GS through Storytelling ro, ant (07023 HFCKTU LC, Al gh Fronchise Conaap eniral ral akville Pentecostal Apostolic Centre 289.835.3113 bathtune-up.com 340 Rebecca Street, Oakville 845-2942 www.cbcoakville.ca “The friendly, caring church!” We have been worshipping for 70 years, serving our local community. Please join us Sunday morning at 10 am for our service. Free Outdoor Concert. Saturday September 16 at 8 pm. Snacks will be served. Please bring your own chair. OAKVILLE PENTECOSTAL APOSTOLIC CENTRE (St. Paul's United Church) Oakville, ON unday Service *Covid-19 Safety Protocols Strictly followed.” Tel: 416-892-8123 Fax: 1-866-281-5983 Bishop M. Brissett Email: mjbrisse@yahoo.ca JESUS IS LORD nc 12:30 - 3PM Worship Service ing: 7:30-9PM (Via Zoom Virtual Platform) woo-uoyeyepisu!