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| Sacred staffs from Kiskeia (Dominican Republic) and Boriken (Puerto Rico) unite in New York.In photo from left to right Vanessa Inarunuka Pastrana, Roman Guaraguorix Perez, Maximus Prophet, Raphael Landron, and Hector Cerda. Photo courtesy of Amy Ponce |
New
York, NY (UCTP Taino News) – A group of Taino people participating in the 2012
Peace and Dignity Journeys left New York this week toward the mid-west to begin
a ceremonial run that will concluded later this year in Guatemala. The group’s original
east coast route was changed to answer a call to assist other runners near the
Chicago area. The Peace and Dignity journeys are intercontinental runs
organized to link indigenous communities throughout the hemisphere and raise
awareness on indigenous issues.
The contingent
that departed New York was part of an historic ceremony at Brook Park this past Sunday, which
introduced a sacred prayer staff or “matuko” from Kiskeia (Dominican Republic) to
the bundle of staffs that arrived with runners from Boriken (Puerto Rico). These
prayer staffs represent the “prayers of the people” and are carried by the
runners throughout the run.
The
two groups of approximately 18 runners, representing citizens of various
indigenous Nations and communities, are now expected to arrive in the
Pittsburgh area late tonight. They will be hosted by the Caney Indigenous Spiritual
Circle and the Council of
Three Rivers American Indian Center. The participants and supporters are
planning for ceremony on Saturday morning before they move on toward Ohio and
beyond.
As in
previous runs, the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys are a grass-roots effort,
supported by the runners themselves, caring individuals, and various indigenous
communities. Donations are still actively being sought to assist the runners
with food, transportation expenses, and other necessities. Monetary donations can
be made via Pay Pal until August 15 at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/164824.
Organizers stress that “no donation is too small” and that those interested in
supporting this historic initiative can contact vanessainaru@gmail.com
for more information.