Lake Itasca ---> Gulf of Mexico
Women on the Water 2022
Two women. One canoe. Follow their Source to Sea journey on the Mississippi River.
Come with us as we “Decolonize Thru-Paddling,” a play on words that highlights how we will
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Decolonize the concept of a “thru-paddle” (paddling all the way through a waterway, source to sea)
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Uplift messages of decolonization “thru” the act of paddling.
What does it mean to “decolonize” something? Decolonization is the important practice of unpacking ways of life that support and are informed by systemic racism, colonization, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fat phobia, misogyny, xenophobia, and any other form of systemic violence.
We are Decolonizing Thru Paddling by:
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Bridging equity gaps through representation of Women, People of Color, fat bodied people, members of the LGBQT+ community, immigrants, economically disadvantaged people, and other demographics that are underrepresented on the water and in the outdoors
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Honoring Native Land by being in community and ceremony with Native communities, elders, and water protectors across the country
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Being grounded in community-driven values: we prioritize meeting people who live on the River and delight in making new friends and connections along the way
Who We Are
We are Cory and Sarah, two women who are on a Source-to-Sea thru-paddle of the Mississippi River –– on native land from the headwaters of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota, to the Gulf of Mexico. Our official start date was Sunday, August 21st. Follow along on our social media for daily updates.
