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.”