Sacred Run 2006 - REFLECTIONS FROM THE ROAD

Days 30-33 - Sunday-Wednesday, March 12-15, 2006
Tulsa, Oklahoma and Clarksville, Arkansas

Note from the websteward... Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I checked in here. Sorry to keep you guessing. I took a little time off for my other work, and then had computer problems in Eastern Oklahoma, but I'm back online now, and ready to report. - Roger

Our 3-night stay at the Tulsa Creek Indian Community Center was another warm and gracious encounter. We met folks from a number of tribes, including the Creeks, Seminoles, Cherokees, Kiowas and others. One night we were treated to a traditional Stomp Dance, twice we heard the exciting contemporary blend of Hip Hop, Soul, and R&B from a young up-and-coming Native singer, Julian B, and every day we ate well, listened to stories of elders and chiefs, and shared our own stories. This is what Sacred Run is all about. We carry on an ancient tradition of carrying a message of All Life is Sacred from village to village, sharing and receiving good news face to face, heart to heart. Many thanks to the good people in and around Tulsa. We will not forget you!

Leaving Tulsa and the Native America state of Oklahoma, our route changed when we were invited to stay at the First United Methodist Church of Clarksville, Arkansas. In a huge marathon of a day, we ran right past Ft. Smith, 207 miles in all, from the Oklahoma prairies up into the gentle rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains of Clarksville. Our top three runners combined for 67 miles! Octavia ran her first marathon, arriving at 25 miles in the dark of night. Kid ran 22 miles, and K.A. added another 20. It felt good to move again after so many rest stops, and every runner, every walker, did a little extra so that together, we covered the whole route.

Last night we had a great dinner with the every-Wednesday supper group at the church. The theme was St. Patrick's Day, so we ate corned beef and cabbage and other traditional Irish dishes, yum! Dennis told lots of stories introduced us to the folks one by one. We drummed, chanted and sang, including a stellar performance of Kid Valance's The Sacred Circle, our Sacred Run 2006 theme song. When church members were asked to share a song, they were shorthanded, as the choir was at the other end of the building holding their weekly practice. But pastor Steve was quick on his feet, announcing that there was a local chant that most everyone knew... and he led off a feisty rendition of a team spirit song for a favored Arkansas university! Lots of fun.

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Day 34 - Thursday, March 16, 2006
Clarksville, Arkansas

All Life is Sacred, by Dennis Banks

When the very source of our life is being threatened by toxic waste, nuclear waste, chemical dumps into our rivers, streams and lakes, and when the air is filled with acid rain and smog alerts prevent our children from playing on the school grounds, and when the fish and mammals are dying from poisonous chemicals, it is time we humans began to realize our relationship with this planet we call “Mother Earth.”

We don’t pretend to know any answer to what must be done. We do know that to do nothing will spell our own doom. We also know that if we understood that relationship we would hold in our hands the answers needed to save Mother Earth. The State of the Earth’s health is in peril. We then are in peril. The life of the planet is sacred, and our life, dependent on our Mother, is very sacred.

Dennis J. Banks, March, 2006

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Day 35 - Friday, March 17, 2006
White Hall, Arkansas

Note from the websteward - Itsuko has taken over as lead drummer/walker and leader of morning prayers in the absence of Bhuddist nun Jun Yasuda. One day I asked Itsuko to write a piece, "Why so many Japanese on Sacred Run?" - and here is her response... - Roger

Why so many Japanese, by Itsuko Shirotani

Why are there many Japanese participants? Firstly, Dennis has a deep connection with Japan. He has done many sacred runs in Japan, too. Many Japanese people participated, and some of them are participating this time as well. AIM is becoming well-known in Japan.

Many Japanese people are interested in Native American spirit and culture. Native American spirit and culture are actually spreading to some Japanese people, little by little. Native Americans' views of life, land and so on are similar with Japanese ones that we've had for a long time. That's why their spirit is easy to understand and accept for Japanese.

In Japan, material things are increasing so much every day. On the one hand, our life seems to be abundant. On the other hand, we've lost many things day by day. We feel a time of crisis for mother earth. So we are learning Native American ideas which help us know how to live and think. And so we run and walk with Native Americans to pray for life, land and peace.

I'm learning what is happening on this earth through walking across the USA. I believe that every suffering of this land and every suffering of every living thing, is going to be healed by praying.

I hope people...

woudn't fight each other any more, and
would be forgiving and have peaceful minds and encourage each other, and
would comfort those who suffer, and
would help each other, and
would respect one another as equals, and
would appreciate their own life and all of life and appreciate the gifts of nature.

So I'll keep walking and praying while beating a drum and chanting Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.

Mitake Oyesin and PEACE...

- Itsuko Shirotani, March 16, 2006

Websteward's P.S. - Here is a beautiful image of Buddha preaching about peace from the air to prevent war between Kapila and Koliya. Click the image for the story. More can be found here: The Illustrated History of Buddhism

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Day 36 - Saturday, March 18, 2006
White Hall / Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Hello from the Super Wash Laundromat in Pine Bluff, Arkansas! It's a rest day here, overcast and drizzly, just right for a Saturday laundry day, or maybe a cozy nap, or better yet, a good sweat up in Little Rock! We are staying in White Hall, Arkansas at yet another United Methodist Church. The United Methodists have a long and powerful relationship with the American Indian Movement and Dennis Banks, and we are learning day by day that this relationship is alive and well.

At our last stop in Clarksville, we were befriended by Associate Pastor Phil Sturdy, Senior Pastor Steve Wingo, and Tammy Jo Teltow, who chairs the UMC Arkansas Conference Committee on Native American Ministry. Tammy Jo wrote a beautiful parting letter to all of us at Sacred Run:

These past few days have been such a blessing for me. I will forever remember the newfound friendships that Creator has brought our way, and I will be praying for you ahd your journey. Thank you for deciding on this route, and to lodge within the United Methodist Churches while traveling through Arkansas.

Although the United Methodist Church is sensitive to environmental, political, racial and social justice issues worldwide, no group of persons can make a statement as powerfully, as peacefully, as spiritually, or as effectively as that Great Cloud of Witnesses within the many nations of Native American Indians, and those who they have invited in through love.... (more)

On one of our rest days in Clarksville, we were tired of resting (!) - so we walked and ran part of the route to the next stop. Altogether, we logged 107 miles on Thursday. So after a final rest day in Clarksville on Friday, we only had about 40 miles to complete the journey on Saturday. (Does that make sense to those of you who are mathematitions?) Anyway, we had a wonderful time in and around Clarksville, running and walking, and hanging out in the College Avenue Coffee House (wow, sushi as a bedtime snack!), CJ's Garden (thanks, Doug - who noticed us running that day, and stopped by to volunteer a free lunch - there really IS such a thing - for 5 of us!) and of course, the Church.

The Clarksville United Methodist church put on a great dinner feast for us. Mary Sweeney's pumpkin custard with whipped cream was such a hit, I asked for the recipe. With a great laugh, she said it was straight off the Shurfine pumpkin can. Only after I persisted did I find that she puts in LESS sugar than it calls for, and more of something else, and this and that (sorry I can't remember). So no wonder it was so good! Our thanks to the pastors and Tammy Jo, to the church secretary, the Women's Circle and others who worked so hard to accommodate us. Clarksville in the Ozarks will be a great memory!

	Sacred Run 2006 - Week 5 Reflections... *Reflections on this page are by sacredrun.org websteward, Roger Straw, unless noted otherwise...*
This week Sun.-Wed., Mar. 12-15 Thurs., Mar. 16 Fri., Mar 17 Sat., Mar. 18 Other weeks Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week - 10 Index - Reflections by Special Contributors	Days 30-33 - Sunday-Wednesday, March 12-15, 2006 Tulsa, Oklahoma and Clarksville, Arkansas Note from the websteward... Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I checked in here. Sorry to keep you guessing. I took a little time off for my other work, and then had computer problems in Eastern Oklahoma, but I'm back online now, and ready to report. - Roger Our 3-night stay at the Tulsa Creek Indian Community Center was another warm and gracious encounter. We met folks from a number of tribes, including the Creeks, Seminoles, Cherokees, Kiowas and others. One night we were treated to a traditional Stomp Dance, twice we heard the exciting contemporary blend of Hip Hop, Soul, and R&B from a young up-and-coming Native singer, Julian B, and every day we ate well, listened to stories of elders and chiefs, and shared our own stories. This is what Sacred Run is all about. We carry on an ancient tradition of carrying a message of All Life is Sacred from village to village, sharing and receiving good news face to face, heart to heart. Many thanks to the good people in and around Tulsa. We will not forget you! Leaving Tulsa and the Native America state of Oklahoma, our route changed when we were invited to stay at the First United Methodist Church of Clarksville, Arkansas. In a huge marathon of a day, we ran right past Ft. Smith, 207 miles in all, from the Oklahoma prairies up into the gentle rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains of Clarksville. Our top three runners combined for 67 miles! Octavia ran her first marathon, arriving at 25 miles in the dark of night. Kid ran 22 miles, and K.A. added another 20. It felt good to move again after so many rest stops, and every runner, every walker, did a little extra so that together, we covered the whole route. Last night we had a great dinner with the every-Wednesday supper group at the church. The theme was St. Patrick's Day, so we ate corned beef and cabbage and other traditional Irish dishes, yum! Dennis told lots of stories introduced us to the folks one by one. We drummed, chanted and sang, including a stellar performance of Kid Valance's The Sacred Circle, our Sacred Run 2006 theme song. When church members were asked to share a song, they were shorthanded, as the choir was at the other end of the building holding their weekly practice. But pastor Steve was quick on his feet, announcing that there was a local chant that most everyone knew... and he led off a feisty rendition of a team spirit song for a favored Arkansas university! Lots of fun. Top Day 34 - Thursday, March 16, 2006 Clarksville, Arkansas All Life is Sacred, by Dennis Banks When the very source of our life is being threatened by toxic waste, nuclear waste, chemical dumps into our rivers, streams and lakes, and when the air is filled with acid rain and smog alerts prevent our children from playing on the school grounds, and when the fish and mammals are dying from poisonous chemicals, it is time we humans began to realize our relationship with this planet we call “Mother Earth.” We don’t pretend to know any answer to what must be done. We do know that to do nothing will spell our own doom. We also know that if we understood that relationship we would hold in our hands the answers needed to save Mother Earth. The State of the Earth’s health is in peril. We then are in peril. The life of the planet is sacred, and our life, dependent on our Mother, is very sacred. Dennis J. Banks, March, 2006 Top Day 35 - Friday, March 17, 2006 White Hall, Arkansas Note from the websteward - Itsuko has taken over as lead drummer/walker and leader of morning prayers in the absence of Bhuddist nun Jun Yasuda. One day I asked Itsuko to write a piece, "Why so many Japanese on Sacred Run?" - and here is her response... - Roger Why so many Japanese, by Itsuko Shirotani Why are there many Japanese participants? Firstly, Dennis has a deep connection with Japan. He has done many sacred runs in Japan, too. Many Japanese people participated, and some of them are participating this time as well. AIM is becoming well-known in Japan. Many Japanese people are interested in Native American spirit and culture. Native American spirit and culture are actually spreading to some Japanese people, little by little. Native Americans' views of life, land and so on are similar with Japanese ones that we've had for a long time. That's why their spirit is easy to understand and accept for Japanese. In Japan, material things are increasing so much every day. On the one hand, our life seems to be abundant. On the other hand, we've lost many things day by day. We feel a time of crisis for mother earth. So we are learning Native American ideas which help us know how to live and think. And so we run and walk with Native Americans to pray for life, land and peace. I'm learning what is happening on this earth through walking across the USA. I believe that every suffering of this land and every suffering of every living thing, is going to be healed by praying. I hope people... woudn't fight each other any more, and would be forgiving and have peaceful minds and encourage each other, and would comfort those who suffer, and would help each other, and would respect one another as equals, and would appreciate their own life and all of life and appreciate the gifts of nature. So I'll keep walking and praying while beating a drum and chanting Na Mu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo. Mitake Oyesin and PEACE... - Itsuko Shirotani, March 16, 2006 Websteward's P.S. - Here is a beautiful image of Buddha preaching about peace from the air to prevent war between Kapila and Koliya. Click the image for the story. More can be found here: The Illustrated History of Buddhism Top Day 36 - Saturday, March 18, 2006 White Hall / Pine Bluff, Arkansas Hello from the Super Wash Laundromat in Pine Bluff, Arkansas! It's a rest day here, overcast and drizzly, just right for a Saturday laundry day, or maybe a cozy nap, or better yet, a good sweat up in Little Rock! We are staying in White Hall, Arkansas at yet another United Methodist Church. The United Methodists have a long and powerful relationship with the American Indian Movement and Dennis Banks, and we are learning day by day that this relationship is alive and well. At our last stop in Clarksville, we were befriended by Associate Pastor Phil Sturdy, Senior Pastor Steve Wingo, and Tammy Jo Teltow, who chairs the UMC Arkansas Conference Committee on Native American Ministry. Tammy Jo wrote a beautiful parting letter to all of us at Sacred Run: These past few days have been such a blessing for me. I will forever remember the newfound friendships that Creator has brought our way, and I will be praying for you ahd your journey. Thank you for deciding on this route, and to lodge within the United Methodist Churches while traveling through Arkansas. Although the United Methodist Church is sensitive to environmental, political, racial and social justice issues worldwide, no group of persons can make a statement as powerfully, as peacefully, as spiritually, or as effectively as that Great Cloud of Witnesses within the many nations of Native American Indians, and those who they have invited in through love.... (more) On one of our rest days in Clarksville, we were tired of resting (!) - so we walked and ran part of the route to the next stop. Altogether, we logged 107 miles on Thursday. So after a final rest day in Clarksville on Friday, we only had about 40 miles to complete the journey on Saturday. (Does that make sense to those of you who are mathematitions?) Anyway, we had a wonderful time in and around Clarksville, running and walking, and hanging out in the College Avenue Coffee House (wow, sushi as a bedtime snack!), CJ's Garden (thanks, Doug - who noticed us running that day, and stopped by to volunteer a free lunch - there really IS such a thing - for 5 of us!) and of course, the Church. The Clarksville United Methodist church put on a great dinner feast for us. Mary Sweeney's pumpkin custard with whipped cream was such a hit, I asked for the recipe. With a great laugh, she said it was straight off the Shurfine pumpkin can. Only after I persisted did I find that she puts in LESS sugar than it calls for, and more of something else, and this and that (sorry I can't remember). So no wonder it was so good! Our thanks to the pastors and Tammy Jo, to the church secretary, the Women's Circle and others who worked so hard to accommodate us. Clarksville in the Ozarks will be a great memory!
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Alcatraz Island to Washington, D.C. February 11, 2006 - April 22, 2006 (Earth Day)

Alcatraz Island to Washington, D.C.
February 11, 2006 - April 22, 2006 (Earth Day)