The story of a determined Ojibwe Grandmother (Nokomis) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her great love for Nibi (water). Nokomis walks to raise awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. She, along with other women, men, and youth, have walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example Josephine-ba invites us all to take up our responsibility to protect our water, the giver of life, and to protect our planet for all generations. The story of a determined Ojibwe Grandmother who walked around all of the Great Lakes to protect our water. Nokomis – our grandmothers – walk to protect our water, and to protect all of us. The story of a determined Ojibwe Grandmother (Nokomis) Josephine-ba Mandamin and her great love for Nibi (water). Nokomis walks to raise awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. She, along with other women, men, and youth, have walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example Josephine-ba invites us all to take up our responsibility to protect our water, the giver of life, and to protect our planet for all generations. The Water Walker, written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson, winner of the First Nation Communities READ Indigenous Literature Award for 2018-19. Anishinaabemowin dual language edition coming September 2019. June 5, 2018, Toronto-The Water Walker, written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson, has won the First Nation Communities READ Indigenous Literature Award for 2018-19, in the Children's Category. The Water Walker is a picture book for children ages 6-9, about the life of Josephine-ba Mandamin-an Ojibwe Nokomis (grandmother) dedicated to the protection of Nibi (water).
The winning books were chosen by a jury of Indigenous librarians from across Ontario, with the titles representing "the best of Indigenous literature". The selected titles' authors will be presented with the Periodical Marketers of Canada Indigenous Literature Award on June 27 in Toronto at Yonge/Dundas Square as part of National Indigenous History Month celebrations. The Indigenous Literature Award comes with a prize of $3000 for each author.
The Water Walker is Nokomis Josephine-ba Mandamin's story, about her dedication to raising awareness of our need to protect Nibi for future generations, and for all life on the planet. Nokomis Josephine-ba, along with other women, men, and youth, has walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example Josephine-ba invites us all to take up our responsibility to protect water, the giver of life. The book includes a glossary and pronunciation guide for Ojibwe words used in the text. It ends with a note from author Joanne Robertson inviting young readers to write a letter to Nokomis Josephine-ba to tell her all about what they are doing to help protect the environment.
"An important topic is treated with grace, love, and a smidgen of humor in this delightful, necessary book."
"... a worthwhile addition to classroom and public libraries and a resource for discussions about First Nations and ecology."
"... like so many titles about Indigenous topics finally earning shelf space in Canadian libraries and bookshops, The Water Walker has just as much to teach parents as the children... Joanne Robertson succeeds in answering with her words and her art the same question that Nokomis Josephine answered with her footsteps: 'What are you going to do about it?'"
"Josephine Mandamin has inspired countless adults to care passionately about protecting the waters of the earth. Now through Joanne Robertson's magical book, Josephine will inspire children to know they can change the world."
"Joanne Robersto
