Abinooji Aki, Inc.

Spirit of the Water, organized by Abiinooji Aki Inc., is a community-based initiative rooted in Ojibwe teachings and focused on Indigenous women's leadership in protecting clean water. Based on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation in Northern Wisconsin, the organization hosts the annual Women & Water Indigenous International Clean Water Summit, bringing together women from around the world to advocate for water rights and environmental justice. Learn more about the summit.

Abiinooji Aki Inc. (AAI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by Ojibwe Grandmother and cultural leader Maryellen Baker, Niiyogiizhigookwe. The organization is based on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation in Northern Wisconsin and has a long history of providing cultural teachings and community-based programs focused on healing, environmental advocacy, and Indigenous rights. AAI is best known for organizing the Women & Water Indigenous International Clean Water Summit, a four-day event that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous women to share teachings, strengthen cultural practices, and advocate for clean water access globally. More about the summit.

The summit, scheduled for September 24-27, 2026, is inspired by Anishinaabe teachings and aims to empower over 5,000 women to become advocates for clean water laws and environmental justice. The event includes ceremonies, cultural teachings, and workshops led by Indigenous women, elders, and water protectors. AAI also supports the Grandmother's Rise Water Walk, a spiritual and environmental journey that culminates at the summit. Learn about the Water Walk.

Abiinooji Aki Inc. has a history of organizing culturally rooted programs, including the Anishinaabe Way conference on alcohol and drug abuse, which has inspired similar initiatives across the United States. The organization is supported by the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe, GLIFWC, and various Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners. More about AAI.

Visitors to the summit can expect a deeply spiritual and educational experience centered on Indigenous knowledge, environmental stewardship, and community building. The event is open to all women and men who seek to live in balance and support the sacred responsibility of protecting water for future generations.

Abiinooji Aki Inc. in Hayward, WI, centers its mission on Indigenous women’s leadership in environmental stewardship through the Spirit of the Water initiative. Visitors to the Women & Water Indigenous International Clean Water Summit will encounter a welcoming, intergenerational space rooted in Ojibwe teachings, featuring ceremonies, cultural workshops, and global water advocacy. The organization emphasizes spiritual connection to nature and community-driven action, with structured gatherings that blend education and tradition.

Pros

• Offers clear, publicly listed schedules for annual summits and related events.
• Focuses on inclusive community building through environmental advocacy and cultural teachings.
• Partners with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to amplify water rights education.
• Provides accessible online resources about programs and event details.
• Hosts family-friendly, spiritually grounded activities open to all genders.
• Maintains strong ties to Ojibwe traditions through ceremonies and intergenerational mentorship.

Cons

• Primary programming is annual rather than ongoing, limiting regular engagement opportunities.
• Website lacks detailed information about daily operations outside summit periods.
• Services emphasize advocacy and education over traditional worship practices.
• Location in a rural reservation area may require travel planning for some visitors.
• Event-focused model may not accommodate recurring spiritual practice needs.
• Few details provided about accessibility features for attendees with disabilities.