Trent University’s Indigenous Studies Department hosted Elders’ teachings and discussions for the Sacred Water Circle that took place in Peterborough during May, 2012.

First Nations and community members of all walks of life came together to hear wisdom and instruction from the Elders at the First Peoples House of Learning at Gzowski College on Trent University’s Symons Campus.

The gathering brought together Indigenous spiritual leaders as a means of communicating the First Nations’ cultural message of environmental balance. Throughout the events, steps were taken towards the creation of an action plan for protecting Gchi-Nbi (Sacred Water.) The Water Circle will present the planning document to government and industry leaders.

“There was so much to learn, just being in the presence of these elders,” said Ms. Cathy Mitchell of Greening Sacred Spaces, who also helped coordinate the event. “The entire gathering was one of positive thinking and proper reverence for the environment.

The conference culminated with the Sacred Water Walk, where community members walked the entire perimeter of Upper Chemong Lake in an act of prayer and good intention, to promote action and awareness of the importance and sacred nature of water.

The conference, which included the Elder teaching and discussion at Trent, a Native prayer and ceremony at Petroglyphs Provincial Park, and a banquet at Curve Lake First Nation, was hosted by the Sacred Water Circle – a group promoting traditional teaching and healing.

Events were co-hosted by Trent University’s Indigenous Studies department, the Trent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science Youth Programs, Curve Lake First Nation, and Greening Sacred Spaces – a multi-faith organization promoting human rights, peacefulness, and environmental sustainability.

The conference came on the heels of the Truth and Reconciliation Conference, held earlier in the week at Trent University, and carried forward many of the themes introduced there.

“This conference is about reconciliation and moving forward in partnership,” said Elder Shirley Williams, professor of Indigenous Studies and a co-coordinator of the conference. “Over time, Native knowledge has been devalued, but we want to tell the world that we have and hold knowledge – that we can help educate people about their relationship with the land and with the water. We are the keepers of the land, and one of the things that we can teach is proper caring for the land.”