Walking the waterways to raise awareness

Sharon Day and Frankie Jackson
Sharon Day walks a stretch of the Nibi Minnesota River Walk along Highway 68 near Courtland, Minn., with Frankie Jackson, in March.
Jackson Forderer for MPR News

For many in Minnesota, the Mississippi River is commonplace. People cross over it on bridges every day, often without thinking about the water below.

For Sharon Day, though, her relationship with the river is personal — even spiritual.

Day is a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe and she leads water walks all over the country, including in Minnesota, her home state. Several years ago, she walked the length of the Mississippi to raise awareness about pollution in the river. It took her 64 days.

She spoke with MPR News host Tom Weber about her connection to water and what she has learned on her walks.

For the full interview with Sharon Day, use the audio player above.