Native Runners Continue On Sacred Journey

Photo: Two Peace and Dignity East Coast runners - Maximus Matos and Rafael Landron - joined by supporters Vanessa Inarunikia and Kuyayaku Pastrano displaying some of the sacred staffs that are being run in an incredible journey from New York to Panama.

UCTP Taino News – Runners participating in the East Coast Tributary route of the Peace and Dignity Journeys have made their way from New York through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland heading toward Virginia. With their final destination scheduled for Panama, the group of runners and supporters began their journey in New York City on June 13 with sacred staffs representing the prayers of various Indigenous Nations. This year’s East Coast route is a historic first for the Peace and Dignity Journeys inter-continental run, which has taken place every four years since 1992.

At a ceremony for the East Coast runners held at Riverbank Park in Manhattan, approximately 75 representatives from many Indigenous nations gathered in one circle to welcome the sacred staffs the runners will carry throughout their journey. At the ceremony led by Grupo Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatl, six representatives from East Coast Native Nations offered prayers. Messages of support were also received from Tonya Frichner (Onondaga) a UN representative, and Chief Dwayne Perry (Sachem Maqua/Chief Bear) of the Ramapo Mountain Lenape Nation.

The group of runners included Elizabeth Rexford (Inuit/Alaska), Elvira Colorado (Chichimec/Otomi), Hortensia Colorado (Chichimec/Otomi), Teyekahliyos “Dagots” Edwards (Onieda), Jennie Luna (Xicana/Caxcan/Mexica) as well as two Taino community members Maximus Matos (Taino) and Rafael Landron (Taino). At sunrise on Saturday, morning June 14, representatives of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) presented an additional unity staff to the group. The presentation was made by community leader Roberto Mukaro Borrero who explained that the Taino staff was a symbol of unity between the Arawak, Carib, and Taino Nations as well as a representation of the Guaraguao or Caribbean Red Tail Hawk within the Eagle and Condor prophecy.

Following the sunrise departure ceremony the group crossed the George Washington Bridge into New Jersey and made their way to Pennsylvania where they connected to Art Woolsey, PA coordinator for the Longest Walk II. Woolsey was instrumental in the logistical organizing for the runners through the state. While in Pennsylvania the group visited the grounds of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and offered prayers at the institution’s cemetery. Over 100 indigenous children who were taken from their parents to attend the infamous boarding school died there and were interred on the grounds.

According to the East Coast Run coordinator Jeannie Luna the runners met up with the Longest Walk group in Greensburgh, PA. The two groups were able to share experiences and ceremony before the Peace and Dignity runners headed to Pittsburg where they were greeted by Taino community member Miguel Sobaoko Koromo Sague. A member of Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center – the only Native Center in all of PA - Sague along with other PA Native community members contributed supplies and extended much appreciated hospitality to the group. Sague who is also the founder of the Caney Spiritual Circle offered an additional Taino staff to join the UCTP’s prayer for Taíno unity.

Following their visit to a local Pow Wow in Farmington, PA that was held to honor the birth of a White Buffalo at a local zoo, the runners made their way to Friendsville, MD and Petersburgh, West Virginia.

The runners will also visit Washington DC plan and while in the area they plan to link up with the Haudenosaunee Spirit of the Youth Unity Run. These two groups will continue running together until July 5th when they will unite with the Trail of Tears runners in Tahlequah, Oklahoma for the closing ceremonies of the East Coast portion the route. From Oklahoma the sacred staffs will be run to Taos, New Mexico where they will join the main group making their way south.

This southern route from New Mexico will unite all runners of the East Coast Tributary and other routes and connect them to the main route, carrying all the prayers, work and energy towards Panama.

UCTPTN 06.29.2008

Runners Manifest Eagle and Condor Prophecy

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) – Although most "mainstream Americans" may have never heard of the Peace and Dignity Journeys this monumental, grass roots community effort has occurred every four years since 1992 to manifest the indigenous prophecy of the Eagle and Condor. This prophecy states that we are living in a time when Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere shall reunite spiritually in order to help heal their Nations and work towards a better future for the present and coming generations. Starting with runners on opposite ends of the continent from Eklutna, Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, Chile, the participants will make an incredible journey over seven months traveling through hundreds of indigenous communities.

While visiting various communities these indigenous ambassadors will be carrying sacred staffs representing the spiritual solidarity of various Nations and take part in local ceremonies and dialogs as well as receive community prayers.

Currently, runners that began in Alaska, May 1st are now in Canada and have formed two groups. One group of runners will travel west down to California and the other will make their way through the central part of the U.S. through the Great Plains.

Simultaneously, there is a route retracing the Cherokee Trail of Tears and for the first time in the Run's history an East Coast Tributary route has been organized to begin in New York City on Saturday, June 14th 2008. Organizers are in the process of outreaching to Native Nations on the East Coast in the spirit of bringing unity for this sacred prayer. Among the runners confirmed to leave from the East Coast route will be a Taino community member, Maximus Matos.

Maximus, whose family originates from the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) has never run a marathon so one may ask just why would he get involved?

"First and foremost I run for my People, the Taino Nation" stated Maximus. "I run to unite us as one and yet there is so much more as this historic run will also unite Indigenous Nations, Reservations, Sacred Sites and Communities stretching from the North to South America."

In recognition of his effort and vision the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) has pledged to provide Maximus with a sacred unity staff gifted to the Taino from the Lokono Arawak Nation as well as some supplies for his journey.

"This is an historic moment for the Taino People" stated Roberto Borrero, a UCTP representative. "Maximus is taking on a very important role as a Taino ambassador and as community we understand that he is not just representing himself but he is representing our present and future generations on and off the islands"

Maximus, like other runners, will also need financial contributions to help support him on this incredible journey. Runners will need food, personal supplies, and clothing for various weather conditions in addition to camping equipment and other items. Supporters accompanying the runners in vans also need assistance with gas money etc. as the Peace and Dignity Journeys receive no corporate money and all fundraising is done through grants and grass roots community fundraising. Some money has been raised by the New York committee but according to run organizer Jeannie Luna it is not enough to sustain their journey.

While there have been some pledges to receive the runners and provide overnight housing and food Luna also states that a "majority of the route still needs places that will host runners, give [them] a place to sleep, shower, wash clothes, and have a meal."

Open to all "colors and cultures", the Peace and Dignity Journey is scheduled to conclude when the runners reach the center of the hemisphere in Panama on November 13th, 2008. In Panama City runners and supporters will be greeted by the Kuna Nation.

For more information on the Peace and Dignity Journeys visit their website at http://www.peaceanddignityjourneys.com. To donate directly or get involved in the East Coast Run contact Jeannie Luna at lalunaxicana@yahoo.com or 646.245.1216. For donations to sponsor the Taino runner please contact the UCTP at uctp_ny@yahoo.com or 1(212)604-4186.

The theme of this years Peace and Dignity Journey is "Honoring Our Sacred Sites".

Photo 1: Condor Runners from the South (Credit: panddblogadmin)

Photo 2: Eagle Runners from the North (Credit: panddblogadmin)