Reflections on GroundSwell

Mark Mattson speaking at the GroundSwell Conference, June 17, 2014 in Guelph, ON. Photo by @SharedValueCA

I had the opportunity to close the GroundSwell Conference in Guelph, Ontario today. It was an inspiring two-day conference dedicated to creating shared value for groundwater communities, researchers and technical innovators. I talked about each individual's personal connection to water. After I spoke, Teri Morrow of the Six Nations of the Grand River shared her poem "She resides there". I thought it was the perfect end to the event and asked her if we could share it here:

Gyenà:gre' - She resides there

My heart has compelled me
To take this stand
At the source of the Grand 
Where water meets land
We stand hand in hand
Holding profits accountable
Keeping mother earth bountiful
In Two Rows we walk together
Honoring the treaties forever
Moving our spirts through waste
There's no more time to make haste
Our words take our place
"Truth Not Trash"
Who are the abashed? 
Corporations? 
Individuals?
All lying and denying
While wihsdà is buying
To Further only certain endeavors
Ensures a future that is severed
To only live for today
Impedes the path that we all lay
For the 7 generations
And our mothers creations
please don't impede what we plead
It's our right to feed our seed
Pure water is what we need
Flowing north to the south
from the source to the mouth
Along the banks and tributaries 
We Honour all the territories 
The water sustains us
To protect and proceed 
Disengaging  greed 
Ensuring the feed and earthly survival 
Sparking Spiritual revival
Our actions hold us liable
We must share these vibrations
As the voice of many nations 
Surpassing  this steeple
"We are all treaty People"

- Teri Morrow
Ogwaya'dadogèhsdoh
Six Nations of the Grand River