Image: Smiling headshot of Elder Sheila De Corte in studio lighting
Photo Credit: Flashback Photography
The Canadian Heritage Rivers System, in partnership with the Canadian Canoe Museum, is proud to announce Elder Sheila De Corte as the recipient of the 2025 Canadian River Heritage Award.
Elder Sheila De Corte is a respected knowledge keeper, teacher, and community leader whose work has profoundly shaped the way Canadians understand and care for their rivers. As the founder of For the Love of the Rivers, a water walk rooted in ceremony and advocacy, she has brought national attention to the spiritual and cultural significance of the Kaministiquia River and other waterways across Turtle Island. Her walks—some local, others spanning provinces and states—are acts of remembrance, healing, and stewardship.
De Corte’s teachings offer Indigenous perspectives on water stewardship that emphasize relational care, ancestral knowledge, and the role of women as protectors of land and water. Through her work with youth and schools, she has expanded the reach of her message, inspiring new generations to walk with purpose and protect the waters that sustain us.
Image: der Sheila De Corte stands at the water’s edge, her staff in hand, at Loch Lomond Lake on Animikii Wajiw (Thunder Mountain), Mount McKay.
Photo Credit: Sheila De Corte
About Elder Sheila De Corte’s Life and Work
Sheila De Corte is an Ojibwe Elder and knowledge keeper from Animkii Wajiw (Thunder Mountain/Mount McKay), located in Fort William First Nation within the Robinson Superior Treaty Territory of 1850. Her Spirit name is Niibin Giimiwan (Summer Rain), and she is from the Turtle Clan. Sheila was born and raised in the city of Fort William, now known as Thunder Bay, Ontario.
She retired from the Federal Public Service in January 2020 to allow herself the freedom to follow her cultural spirit wherever it may lead. Her Anishinaabe way of living continues to guide her into many culturally rooted areas, including walking for the water in ceremony. Sheila was first called to the water in 2017 when she joined the water walkers of “For the Earth and Water.” This experience later inspired a vision to bring water down from Loch Lomond Lake, located on the sacred mountain of Animkii Wajiw, to help bring healing to the local rivers.
With the support and guidance of the late Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, the “For Love of the Rivers” water walks began in 2018 and continue today. The initiative has since evolved into “For Love of the Rivers 2.0,” following a commitment and promise to carry forward the work that Grandmother Josephine began in 2003. In 2024, Sheila joined the 29-day water walk around Naadowewi Gichigami (Lake Huron), led by Sharon Manitowabi guided by the mantra “The Water is Calling.”
Sheila has worked with Aki Kikinomakaywin (Learning on the Land), a one-week Anishinaabe culture camp at Lakehead University during 2022–2023. The camp brought land-based teachings to youth, including water teachings. Beginning in 2026, she will be partnering with Lakehead University’s School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism for an upcoming four-year commitment to water. With the help of students mapping their route, and the generous support of canoe provisions and experienced canoeists, Sheila and other Water Walkers will conduct their ceremonies on both land and water.
Image: Two canoes move with quiet purpose across the Kaministiqua River, four paddlers carrying forward the teachings of Elder Sheila De Corte during a sacred on‑water segment of her Water Walk, upheld through partnership with Lakehead University’s School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks, and Tourism.
Photo Credit: Lara West-Baglien
What is the Canadian River Heritage Award?
The Canadian River Heritage Award recognizes the invaluable efforts of an individual who has made a profound and lasting influence to celebrate, protect, and steward river heritage for future generations in Canada. This award is presented in partnership between the Canadian Heritage Rivers System and the Canadian Canoe Museum. A newly installed exhibit panel featuring Elder Sheila De Corte—honouring her contributions and perspectives—is now on display at the Canadian Canoe Museum.
Image: A close-up look at the newly installed panel honouring Elder Sheila De Corte (left), and a wider view of Reflections, now open for visitors at the Canadian Canoe Museum (right).
Photo credit: Peterborough, Ontario. Source: The Canadian Canoe Museum, 2026
Learn more about the Canadian River Heritage Award and the Canadian Canoe Museum and its Reflections exhibit