In this photo co-chair of TRC-Bobcaygeon, Rodney Smith-Merkley and his son along with Rodney’s son’s teacher and a school board employee. Elder Dorothy Taylor and her son Norman were offering leadership, and TRC-Bobcageon was offering support. Also included 3 members of our community Elaine Bird, Brenda Wall and Glenna Burns.
Bobcaygeon Public School (BPS) senior students spent time studying water and reflecting on its value to all life.
Under the leadership of Curve Lake First Nation elder Dorothy Taylor, the grades seven and eight students planned a ceremonial walk honouring the water. The walk began at noon on Monday June 10 (2019) from Henderson Park (near the Bobcaygeon dam on Front Street), on to Beach Park and back.
The student walkers invited others who would like to join their prayerful journey to honour the water to meet them and walk with them.
This BPS water walk was inspired by the Water Walks held over the past ten years on Mother’s Day weekend. In 2019, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people walked and prayed around Rice Lake. That walk was nearly 100 kilometres in length over three days. This BPS walk was much shorter but included similar ceremonies along the way as the Rice Lake walk.