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.

Joanne Robertson is AnishinaabeKwe and a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She received her Fine Arts degree from Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. She founded the Empty Glass for Water campaign to bring attention to the drinking water crisis in Indigenous communities. She works as a research assistant at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre and continues to support the water walks. Joanne lives near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Ontario Library Association's 2018 Best Bets 2018, Commended 2018 (Spring) - Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens 2018, Commended Indigenous Voices Awards 2018, Short-listed AICL's Best Books of 2017 - American Indians in Children's Literature 2017, Commended First Nation Communities READ Indigenous Literature Award - Children’s Category 2018, Winner Recommended by White Plains Library for Native American Heritage Month (US) 2020, Commended