Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
A band member from the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation’s work to protect his community and provide them with safe and clean water is being honoured and recognized by the federal government. Brian Indian of Onigaming First Nation has been awarded the 2022 National First Nations Water Leadership Award, recognizing his 17 years of service as one of the community’s only certified water operators.