Moccasins

We were asked to Aztec dance at the 2012 International Indigenous Leadership Gathering in British Colombia.  In response and in preparation, I made my first pair of moccasins.  With very rough and limited guidance from a fellow runner, I cut out the pieces I needed from the leather gifted to me by our host.  I slowly sewed the pieces together- pushing and pulling the needle through the thick leather.   And eventually, the leather took shape.  By the end of the day, I had a very simple pair of moccasins to protect my feet the following day. 

Since then, I visited a woman from the Lil’Wat First Nation in Mt. Curry who happened to be a moccasin maker.  In the light of a candle during a power outage, she taught me how to touch up a pair of moccasins.  She gave me pieces of rabbit to cut and sew around the ankle portion and beads to hold the tie strings together.  Along with patterns and ideas for other styles of moccasins, Jackie taught me how to make medicine pouches.  She is a fantastic woman and I thank her for helping me make my first pair of moccasins. 

Now I need to learn how to bead!

The Daily Life of a Runner

The life of a runner is complex and simple.  We follow the same formula every day to go about life and ceremony.  However easy it may seem to do the same activities over and over again, it is difficult.  Our ability to get ready, drive, and perform our tasks changes daily depending on how much sleep we get, where we sleep, how much we’ve ran the previous evening or how much we are required to run that day, or our individuals emotions.

The typical running day looks like this:  We wake up at the designated time for that particular day, get dressed, brushed and physically ready for the day and at the same time pack our belongings.  One solid rule we have is “bags before breakfast.”  This means that all of our bags and belongings must be packed into the vans before we sit to eat breakfast.  If this doesn’t happen, it takes longer to begin the rest of the day.  After breakfast, we begin ceremony by unbundling the staffs and conducting the formula to begin circle.  The rest of the day is pure running, eating, and praying until we reach our destination.  Once there, we have the closing ceremony.  After, we feast!  Feasting and eating in general is done with the communities.  This time allows us to relax and visit with new family.  Very seldom do days end early, so the fastest thing we do is get ready for bed. 

Each day brings a new opportunity to do the same thing better- to pack faster, to pray harder, to smile more, to ask communities different questions, to eat less or more, too drink more water, to look at the earth with more caring intent.  The day of the runner is undoubtfully different, complex, and routine.

Healing

The studio was small, but was filled with many windows covered in colorful curtains making the room glow.  At first glance one would notice the small couches and comfy looking chairs scattered throughout the room­.  After a day of running, this small room was more than welcoming and clearly a reminder of home.  However, a closer look would show a variety of game boards, music and even a small library containing local indigenous histories and wild life -a place of learning.

We laid out the bundles and invited community members to close the circle with us.  One gentleman in particular made it into the group late.  He wore a baseball cap and slouched against one of the pillars around the room.  At this time in the circle we usually ask community members to share their stories or thoughts.  Because he was one of the few community members, he spoke up.  He didn’t say much, but before he left the circle he said a few words that mattered.  He was a victim of residential schools.  It was hard for him to talk about; however it was obvious he was trying to heal.

It turns out that that room we were staying in was a meeting place for residential survivors.  For so long these individuals held in the injustices that were committed against them.  Now they seek healing and support from each other. 

In 2005, a case was filed against the Canadian Government in regards to the abuses conducted at residential schools.  Here is the link to the case:

http://scc.lexum.org/en/2005/2005scc58/2005scc58.html

Prayer

It is sometimes hard to understand the many different ways people pray.  People use different items in different places during different times.  Prayer takes many forms and there’s no wrong or better way to do it.

Here on the run, I am in constant prayer.  I pray while running, sitting in the car, while I eat and when I’m joking with my fellow runners.  No one knows that I’m doing this.  I watch and I take small images of my surroundings and keep them in my heart.  My head isn’t bent forward nor are my hands held in prayer, but I’m thinking good thoughts for the people and land I see­- hoping good always finds its’ way to them. 

Our group consists of members from all over the US, Canada and Mexico.  Although our prayers manifest themselves in distinct ways, we all share a common prayer and belief in this run (and what it stands for).  Yes, we sing different songs, use different feathers, speak different languages, but we do not judge the other for the difference.  Instead we acknowledge the beauty and appreciate one another’s background and history.  

PDJ Crew

Donations needed!

Dear readers,

I appreciate the time and interest you have taken in my personal journey and the Peace and Dignity movement as a whole.  It gives me energy to see how many times this page has been visited.  I want to take this moment to inform you all that Peace and Dignity NEEDS MONEY!  (Specifically gas money)  Each community has been wonderful in providing shelter and food, so much that we do not spend money on anything except gas.  We currently have two twelve passenger vans that roughly take 120 dollars to fill up.  With the rate we are running, we need to fill up every second or third day.  This averages about 2,500 a month.  If you are able to help out in any way, please visit this site (http://sandiego.indymedia.org/pdj/node/1494) and click on the donation box to contribute to our paypal account.  Once again, thank you.   I, nor Peace and Dignity would be here if it weren’t for the people and their support.

Best Regards,

Tiffany

PS. I would also like to bring attention to the exploitation happening in Alaska and the Yukon.  Gas is constantly and consistently being taken from the earth without adequate payment to local communities.  Unfortunately and shamefully, locals still have to pay 4.75+ per gallon of gas they buy.  Keep this injustice in your thoughts.

The Whole World

On May 7^th we spent the night in the community of Northway, AK.  We were able to share in beautiful song and dance.  Children, ranging from 3 to 17, knew the songs and dances of their community by heart.  For them, this was a feat because many of their community members leave the area to find work.  Knowing this, we took the gift directly into our hearts. 

That evening was followed by a more amazing day.  Greeted by snow and wind, we began to run with a few children.  Watching the kids kept the cold away.  One child in particular, Connor, was more than enthusiastic about the run.  He wanted to know the history, significance, and weight of each staff.  When any runner spoke to him or answered a question, he listened with the utmost attention and interest –truly an example.  Soon after he was asked to carry the Eagle Staff (the one that guides all prayers).  During this time in which we were all one body running, I asked him “Connor, what do you want to pray for?”  His answer: “The whole world.”

Water

We run to honor and pray for the water.  It is well known how polluted and contaminated our water and earth have become.  We describe the rivers, creeks, and lakes as veins of mother earth- nourishing the rest of her body.  Governments are exploiting these resources and making sure water (in their eyes) continues to be a product for sell and profit.  So we pray hard to heal and protect her.

We were blessed with snow these last few days.  As beautiful as it has been, it has been hard.  More than half of our 12 runners came down with the same cold.  Sneezing, coughing, and sniffling, we completed 200 miles in 4 days.  During this time, the run passed over huge snow covered mountains and melting rivers.  A few of us were greeted by baby eagles and moose.  Views were completely beautiful- desktop picture worthy.  I can see how water is vital to the new life that’s being created here.  It motivates me to run, despite the ruthless cold.   

May 1st

We are starting our run tomorrow in Chickloon, AK.  A beautiful community surrounded by snow covered mountains!  From there we will make our way down the Alaskan Highway into the Yukon.  Prayers to the runners and all who are making this happen!  It's going to be beautiful!  Tlazo!

Healing

Alcoholism, drug usage, and chronic health sickness (specifically diabetes) have found their way into Indigenous living.  Traveling through various reservation and non-reservation communities has presented these issues by way of streets, schools, and ceremonies.  The streets are littered with drunken native people.  They look like zombies walking on the side of the road in the night­­- sad and lost.  During the day they are angry and hopeless.  It is no wonder communities are scared for their children.  So many have lost their connection to the land and culture.

This run of peace and dignity knows the importance of healing.  It strives to make human beings aware of their environment.  Not only aware, but to have a relationship with the earth.  It’s not only about taking from her.  It’s also about taking care of her through prayer and song.  One’s connection to the earth is incredibly important.  There are many scholarly writings proving this importance- statistics and psychological diagnostics explaining native behavior in reaction to the government’s taking of the land.  But my elders know this.  They have seen it and been through it.  It wasn’t until they remembered ceremony and their connection to the earth that they were able to heal.  This run will help heal those who run and those it touches in one way or another.

First Day to Alaska

It was almost instantaneous that our adventure began soon after our departure.  We were on the road for a couple of hours when the front right tire to one of our vans started wobbling really hard.  We had to stop and switch it out for the spare.  However a grand 10 minutes later the tread exploded from the spare, forcing us to replace it with the spare from the other van.  This was a huge setback.  We needed to be in Oregon that evening.  With no spares we couldn’t take the risk. 

Luckily, we were saved by the Wintu community of Redding, CA.  They gave us a place to sleep and filled our bellies with such little notice of our arrival.  We were blessed to camp in their newly constructed ceremonial grounds next to the river.  Everyone felt as if we were meant to stop there and share songs, prayers and laughs.  A man named Jim also bought us 5 new tires to continue on our journey!  It was truly something.

I can’t help but think that this is only the beginning.  We will be moving from community to community and each community has the goal to help us carry those prayers to Guatemala.  I have never seeing such a widespread commitment by so many communities segregated from one another.  It’s simply amazing.  This run connects them once again.  I am beyond grateful to be a part of it.

La Despedida

My family came to me in support on the roughest day I had preparing for the run.  I had only a few hours before left to attend the preparation ceremony for the runners in San Diego.  As I was waiting for my last paycheck, which never came that day, I was frantically searching to find my camera charger and my passport.  Once I realized I had accidently recycled my passport amongst piles of papers a few months earlier, I was instantly defeated.  I needed it to pass through Canada, Mexico and Guatemala.  Without it I was stuck.  I began thinking to myself that it was a sign I shouldn’t go.  Financially and emotionally speaking, there were and are many reasons for me to stay and take care of my present life at home.  So when this happened, I wanted to call it all off.  Giving up was simply easier.

But a few minutes later my family started knocking on the door to spend time and see me off.  They were specifically dropping their normal Thursday happenings to come support me.  I couldn’t just give up.  I couldn’t imagine disappointing them.  I talked with a few of my tías and with laughter, hugs, and soothing words, I calmed down and knew everything would work out.  (And it did.  I was able to expedite a new passport and received it yesterday afternoon!)

That night I received words, good words– words of wisdom and of gold.  I may not be able to recollect each phrase word for word, but I remember the emotions.  I remember the feeling of comfort, stability, pride, and faith.  My body remembers and with that I can confidently say that when situations present themselves, I’ll remember those words and I’ll know what to do. 

In all, I know I’m never alone on this journey.  

What Peace and Dignity Means to Me

When asked what Peace and Dignity Journeys is, I repeatedly say something similar to: “Peace and Dignity Journeys is a spiritual and indigenous run aimed to connect communities.  It is a seven-month run from Alaska to Guatemala.  Runners will carry sacred staffs and prayers from communities visited and unite them with prayers from South America.”  I keep my answer general and vague because in most cases, I do not have enough time to describe in detail what Peace and Dignity Journeys is or means to me.  

If given more time to answer, I would say that PDJ is a phenomenal movement that is built by the energy of hundreds and hundreds of people.  Communities all throughout Canada, the US, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize and Guatemala welcome and celebrate the runners’ arrival.  For them, it gives them hope and honor to pray with those who willingly sacrifice comfort, food, family and normal life for complete immersion into ceremony, prayer and road life.  Here, it can be hard for some to comprehend why someone would choose to live in such an uncomfortable situation.

My reason is fairly simple: PDJ as an opportunity to help create healthy change in our communities.  I am willing to put my life on pause because I believe that my decision will cause someone to become physically active, to take shorter showers & conserve water, to buy local produce, to treat nature with respect, to help his/her neighbors, to try harder in school, to appreciate other cultures or to sacrifice their wants to help others.  I want to motivate others to give all they can to their communities, families, homes, and themselves.

PDJ also means an opportunity to learn about my heritage.  In addition to my physical journey across North America, I will have a personal journey in which I explore traditional ways of knowing, thinking and being.  As a twenty two year old, I think it is safe to say that I do not completely ‘know’ myself.  This being said, no matter what I see, hear or experience, I expect myself to always learn.  


In short, to me PDJ is growth–never anything immobile or stunted.

Thank You

During this first post I want to emphasize the gratitude and appreciation I have for all my supporters.  First, I want to thank my family for giving me the time, space and financial support to complete this journey during a rough time.  Second, I want to let my partner know how grateful I am for his participation in my preparation–materially and emotionally.  Thirdly, I need to let my family from Danza Cuauhtonal know that I would not be taking this trip if they did not teach and nurture my spirituality–for that I am completely appreciative.  And lastly, I want to thank my friends, both close and far (specifically Students Rising Above), for showing me their excitement and enthusiasm.  Due to each kind word and curious question, I am able to participate in this journey across North America.