Indigenous Peoples' Day 2021 events to include Water Walk, Nationwide Code Red for Earth, Waterside Trail and Read Along

Indigenous Peoples' Day events poster. (Poster courtesy People of the Heart Water Walk and Indigenous Peoples' Day Campaign)

HOUGHTON -- Join the celebrations, discussions and ceremonies to share and uplift practices that honor Indigenous knowledge and cultures in several events co-hosted by People of the Heart Water Walkers; Michigan Tech faculty, staff and students from the Great Lakes Research Center; and local community members.

3rd Annual People of the Heart Water Walk -- Oct. 9-11
A journey of unity and awareness, the People of the Heart Water Walkers will walk nearly 90 miles through the Keweenaw Peninsula along Gichigami. The route this year will be reversed from the previous year, beginning at the Copper Harbor Lighthouse at Astor Shipwreck Park in Copper Harbor and concluding at Sand Point Lighthouse in Baraga.

People of the Heart Water Walkers gather at the Sand Point Lighthouse at the end of their first 90-mile walk from Copper Harbor to Baraga in October 2019. They will follow a similar route this year, concluding at this same Lighthouse. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Again this year, because of COVID-19 concerns, distance participation is encouraged. A core group of walkers will undertake the main route. Others interested in doing this work for water may share their personal Water Walk experiences virtually through the group’s Facebook page or Google site.

The Water Walk is conducted through Anishinaabe ceremonial protocol with traditional understandings of the natural environment. Anishinaabekweg from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will assist in the walk. In this work, women lead the ceremony carrying a copper vessel filled with nibi, the Anishinaabe word for water. The water continually moves through the 1842 ceded territory throughout the day, beginning at sunrise and into the late afternoon. An eagle staff is carried beside them as protector.

Lisa Denomie of KBIC carries Nibi along Keweenaw Bay on US-41 near Arnheim, Michigan, on Oct. 10, 2020, the first day of the 2nd Annual People of the Heart Water Walk. Protector Mike Rodriguez carries the Eagle Staff. (File photo courtesy Gichigamikwe Terri Denomie)

The conclusion of the three-day event coincides with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This annual day of celebration, which falls on Oct. 11, honors the peoples, histories and cultures of Indigenous populations across the Americas.

Sponsors of the walk include the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Campaign of Upper Michigan, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region and the Michigan Tech Writing Center.

People of the Heart Water Walkers joins those of all colors, faiths and philosophies to work together for life’s most precious resource: Nibi.

Nationwide Code Red -- Wednesday, Oct. 6
Join the virtual, nationwide "Code Red" at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6. Listen to Anishinaabekweg Doreen Blaker, Katy Bresette and Kathy Smith share stories and experiences about climate change, especially related to Nibi (water). Worldwide, Indigenous peoples are drawing attention to the Sixth Assessment Report on Climate Change -- thanks to which, the United Nations is calling this moment a "code red" for our Earth, and are emphasizing Indigenous peoples’ rights and participation in climate policy. Join the Code Red via Zoom.

Waterside Trail and Read Along -- Now to Oct. 18
Starting at the Portage Lake District Library, follow the waterside trail to East Houghton Park, and read We Are Water Protectors page by page along the way. Written by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade, the book is about a young girl who learns from her Nokomis (grandmother) about protecting water and Earth. 

Local supporters of women's reproductive rights, legal abortion, hold Oct. 2 Women's March on Lift Bridge in solidarity with Women's March in DC

By Michele Bourdieu

Nearly 100 local supporters of women's reproductive rights marched across the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock on October 2, 2021, displaying signs in solidarity with the Women's March in Washington, DC, the same day. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- Supporters of women's reproductive rights, including the right to choose and the right to abortion as guaranteed in the United States by Roe vs. Wade, walked from Houghton to Hancock and back across the Portage Lift Bridge on a very warm Saturday afternoon, October 2. Many remained on the bridge displaying signs to oncoming traffic and receiving supportive honks from people in passing vehicles.

The local Women's March was one of more than 600 "sister marches" across the US this week, partly in reaction to the recent Texas 6-week abortion ban.

Casper Padilla, Andrea Kingzette and Lauren Mancewicz, pictured r. to l. in the photo above, were among those who told Keweenaw Now why they joined the March.

Displaying a sign that said, "No Freedom Without Access," Padilla, a member of Michigan Tech's Students for Sustainability, said he believes in this movement for women's reproductive rights.

"I think that as a man I should support women, not bring them down," he said.

Accompanying Padilla was Andrea Kingzette of Pontiac, Mich., who recently moved to Houghton. Her sign, "Abortion Is Health Care," expressed a basic view of those who support legal abortion.

Lauren Mancewicz, a Michigan Tech graduate student in environmental engineering, carried a sign saying, "OUR bodies are NOT your POLITICAL PLAYGROUND."

"I think it's really important to stand up for what you believe in, especially in today's political climate," Mancewicz said.

A group of Baraga County Democrats also displayed signs facing traffic on the Houghton side of the bridge.  

Members of the Baraga County Democrats displaying their signs on the bridge, from left, are Nancy Herck (hidden behind sign at left), Al Punser, Becky Schultz and Karen Dekleyn. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Al Punser of the Baraga County Dems said their members often travel to Houghton to participate in marches for liberal causes.

One of several local groups promoting this march was Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action.

Members of Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action stop for a photo on their way to the bridge. Pictured, from left, with their signs, are Sasha Chesler with Juno the dog, Kasey Lanese and her brother, Evan Lanese. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Susan Burack of Hancock, who called herself the "instigator" (but not the leader) of this March, said the event was a collaboration of several groups, including the League of Women Voters® of Copper Country, local Democrats, Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action and others. She added it was important to have a local event and it was good to march in nice weather (Previous women's marches here were in January).

"Lots of traffic on the Bridge so we were VISIBLE," Burack commented. "Nice to have so many young people. One woman visiting from California. Another from downstate for Parents Week-end and glad to have a march here. Two co-eds from NMU (Northern Michigan University in Marquette) who drove over to march. Great signs."

Marchers return from Hancock to Houghton. Many remain on the Bridge and display signs for oncoming traffic. People in vehicles passing by honk their horns in support. Watch video on YouTube for larger screen. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Members of the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (KUUF) gathered near the Bridge after marching.

KUUF members pictured here, from left, are Miriam Pickens, Jim and Linda Belote, Laura Repp, Horst Schmidt and Julie Badel. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Valorie Troesch, an active member of the Houghton County Democratic Party, told Keweenaw Now the Houghton County Dems didn't march as a group but did announce and promote the event. Several of their members, who participated in the March, gathered afterwards for a photo.

Members of the Houghton County Democratic Party who participated in Saturday's Women's March gather with signs for a photo near the Bridge. (Photo © William Keith and courtesy Valorie Troesch)

"This gathering of men and women in support of women's rights -- and most importantly right now, the urgent need to protect the rights established by Roe vs. Wade and keep abortion safe and legal -- was gratifying," Troesch said. "There was so much community support as well from the cars that drove by and honked. That was not surprising given that the vast majority of Americans want abortion to remain safe and legal."

Troesch also referred to testimonies in Congress this past week from women who spoke about their experiences with abortion -- testimonies demonstrating that no woman takes the decision to have an abortion lightly.

"The right of choice has been under attack ever since 1973 when Roe vs. Wade was decided, but it has never been more endangered than now," Troesch added. "At risk is the right to an abortion under almost any circumstances and, for all practical purposes, complete denial of the right to poor women who cannot afford to travel any distance or pay to obtain a legal and safe abortion. And we must act in Michigan. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, the law in effect prior to that decision may likely go back into effect -- it has never been repealed. We must let out representatives and Governor Whitmer know where we stand."* (See UPDATE in Editor's Notes below.)

Barry Fink, president of the League of Women Voters® of Copper Country, also promoted the March with email ). She spoke to Keweenaw Now after the March on why voting is important for the protection of women's reproductive rights, including abortion.

Following the March, Barry Fink, president of the League of Women Voters® of Copper Country, explains how her sign is related to the March for women's reproductive rights. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Fink began by saying she was pleased with the turnout for the event.

"I was especially pleased that we had students from Michigan Tech," Fink noted. "They had a sign-making session last night and they were here today."

Concerning her "Vote! It counts" sign, Fink referred to the importance of keeping abortion legal.

"The question of the legality of abortion and reproductive rights is legislative," Fink said, "and that requires that we have legislators who respect the will of the people. We know the majority of Americans want abortion to remain legal and safe."**

UPDATED: Editor's Notes: 

* See "'An alarming time for women in our country': Hundreds rally in Lansing for reproductive rights," in Michigan Advance, Oct. 2, 2021.

** See CBS News report on the Women's March in DC Oct. 2: "Thousands gather for the 2021 Women's March to stand up for abortion rights."