Anishinabe woman from Kitchener to walk length of Grand River

Mary AnneCaibaiosaiis going the extra mile to show her community how sacred water is: 174 miles or 280 kilometres to be exact.

TheAnishinabeelder iswalking the length of the Grand River, from the river's source nearDundalk, Ont. to Lake Erie. The return trip will take two weeks.

"Our teachings that tell us that water is sacred, it has life and without water we wouldn't be here," Caibaiosaitold CBCK-W.

Inspired by 3-month walk

She was inspired to lead theAll Nations Grand River Water Walk after taking part in a similar walk last year.

That walk lasted three months and took travellers on a journey that started by Lake Superior, travelled around all the great lakes and ended at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.

"I was amazed at how transformative that walk was. It totally changed my whole perspective about water and how important it is," she said.

"I wanted that feeling, that spirit, that change for other people to feel."

The 2017 journey was led by Caibaiosai's inspiration, Josephine Mandemin, who she describes as the original water walker, along with Caibaiosai's deceased sister, to whom she has dedicatedthis walk.

What happens during the walk?

The walk will start on Sept. 15 with a ceremony, including a water song and prayers.

After the ceremony,Caibaiosai said a copper bucket or pailis dipped into the source of the river. Once it is filled with water, two people begin the walk.

"The man will carry the eagle staff. His role is to walk next to the woman and protect the woman," Caibaiosai said."She is walking to protect the water in the pailand he is walking to protect her."

Caibaiosaisaid this is the first of a four year commitment walk the shoresof the Grand River.

• Indigenous women lead walk around Hamilton Harbour to pray for safe water