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