Maria Maybee initiated an annual water walk from the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP), across the Seneca Nation territory and Irving to the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek. “Each step taken today is a prayer for healing for all our relations. This event is a reminder that we must work together to protect the environment, for it provides everything we need in life. It’s important that this message is never forgotten, for we only have one environment.” The annual water walk draws attention to the importance of water and a nuclear free future. The WVDP is an appropriate starting point due to its proximity to the Seneca Nation Cattaraugus Territory and all the ongoing cleanup efforts taking place to reduce environmental risks. Maybee will talk about how water walkers from the Seneca Nation, local community and visitors gather to participate in a sunrise ceremony to kickoff the event.
Jennifer Loft
Email: jcloft@buffalo.edu