Every four years the Peace and Dignity Runners (who are either Native American or non-native runners appreciative of Native American culture) begin a run at opposite ends of the hemisphere and travel to a their final destination in Central America. The People of the Condor (Argentina), and The People of the Eagle (Alaska). travel these far distances for the purpose of uniting and healing indigenous people. The runners bring sacred staffs to as many Native American communities throughout North America as possible. They share prayers and blessings, spiritual traditions, and hold conversations about peace. Their final destination is Guatemala where the runners should meet in mid-November, and enjoy a huge celebration at one of the ancient Mayan cities.
On two separate weekends in August Midwest SOARRING Foundation was privileged to provide a venue for a group of these Peace & Dignity Journey runners. A group of twenty runners from Canada, Puerto Rico, California, and New York arrived and participated in a ceremony with the sacred staffs they carried, offering prayers for peace while they were here. Afterwards all enjoyed a cookout with Midwest SOARRING Foundation members. The runners left heading west and south, eventually ending up in Texas by the end of September, before reaching their final destination in Central America, mid-November.
Midwest SOARRING member, Nina Gilhang who was present that evening said,
” I can’t remember all of their names, yet their spirits were so bright, and this memory will stay with me for life.”
Peace and Dignity Journeys have been organized every four years since 1992. The 2012 event is dedicated to water, how it is used and misused, and the power it carries.
