Women of the Mississippi: Sharon Day
By: Michael Anderson, volunteer and staff at Mississippi River Network
Sharon Day walks rivers. This video follows the spiritual journey of this Ojibwe elder from source to sea.
Walking The Walk With Sharon Day
One foot after the other, Sharon Day walks the waterways of North America, leaving ripples of positive change across the spiritual, political, environmental, and cultural landscapes. Like a magnificent cottonwood holding both the land and water with its feet, Sharon bridges contemporary society with the sacred traditions and ever-important values of Indigenous ways. Weekly (and regardless of weather), Sharon can be found bringing together people while leading an Ojibwe Water Ceremony on the banks of the Mississippi, with the fundamental belief that when we are healing the water, we are healing all of life. Sharon’s feet are calloused, and her will mighty like the river.
Water Ceremony group at Hidden Falls along the Mississippi River. Photo used with permission from Nibiwalk.org.
"Gii Bimosayaan" (We Walk)
All Rights Reserved for Sharon Day
Sharon Day: "God is in the Water"
Video Produced By: OUTWORDS
Today, the effort has grown organically into the nonprofit called the Indigenous Peoples Task Force (IPTF), in which Sharon holds the position of Executive Director. IPTF continues its HIV prevention and healing work and has also positioned itself to respond to needs that arise in the community. Programs offered now include Asemaa (Tobacco Programs), Giikinoo-amaage-gidiwin Gitigaan (The Teaching Garden), and the development of a 12,350 sq. ft. community art and wellness center in South Minneapolis. The Mikwanedun Audisookon Center, which means ‘remember our teachings’ in Ojibwe, will provide ‘an urban sanctuary where body, mind, and spirit can become whole through time-honored Indigenous culture and practice.’
Artist rendition of the Mikwanedun Audisookon Center. If you are able, donate here to support the building of the center. Photo used with permission from IPTF.org.
The Truth Is In The Youth: A Grandmother’s Leadership
A common thread that weaves into everything Sharon thinks, says, and does is youth empowerment and the commitment to co-create a better future for generations to come. This thread can be witnessed in the soon-to-launch Indigi-Baby Foods (a reclamation of growing and making available healthy traditional foods like wild rice, blueberries, and squash), the ongoing Nibi Water Walks, and perhaps most vividly through the Ikidowin Youth Theater and Ensemble.
With play titles like, “We Will Do It For The Water” and “Everything’s A Circle,” Sharon’s artistic nature flows freely while providing Native youth the opportunity to deepen their cultural knowledge, build community, and become thriving and articulate individuals. When speaking on the question of why theater, Sharon shares, “We needed to figure out a better way to tell our stories. And that’s what we do with Ikidowin Youth Theater.” As a respected elder for so many, Sharon glows with joy and heartfelt emotion when reflecting on story after story of various young people she has been able to teach and learn from.
There is no illusion presented from Sharon that we live in a perfect world. Yet, she continues to walk the walk. Sharon is a living embodiment of offering your best and trusting that good is already circling its way back.
Members of the Ikidowin Peer Education Program and Youth Theater Acting Ensemble in action. Photo courtesy of Sharon Day.