BY: SESI KING

INDIAN TIME - Vol. 24 #31 - Seskeha / August 10, 2006 Edition - Page 1 & 4

From Nation to Nation they ran in unison to spread the word of peace and unity among all the Haudenosaunee. All minds became one as the thoughts of each Onkwehonwe from each Nation was strengthened by this most meaningful gathering on the stretch of path starting at the Onondaga Nation.

The idea of the Unity Run began as a result of a vision by Lakota Elders in North and South Dakota in 1986. The Elder's vision was that spirits had been damaged by the Wounded Knee Massacre. This was a representative way to retrace the path of the Lakota ancestors to "wipe their tears". Following the 2004 International Indigenous Elders Summit at Six Nations, the Haudenosaunee youth began their participation in the Unity Run. The Aboriginal youth's participation in the Unity Run was to better their generation and the next generations by creating unity, peace, and the recovery of self-identity. The youth also wanted to have the elders take notice of their unselfish efforts to represent unity, peace and the recovery of traditional ways and self-identity.

For the past few years, the young people of our Nations have been running hundreds of miles in all types of weather. In 2004, the Unity Run began in Oneida. The following year, it picked up at Six Nations and ended in Onondaga. This year, the Run started at Onondaga and they made their way to Ahkwesahsne. This run from Onondaga to Ahkwesahsne was run relay style with the runners passing through Oneida, Tyendinaga, Ottawa, Kanehsatake, Kahnawake, Kanienkeh, and finally to the Territory of Ahkwesahsne. Next year the starting point will be from Ahkwesahsne onward to the United Nations in NYC where the youth will carry the message of the Elders to the United Nations (U.N.).

Entering the Eastern portion of Ahkwesahsne on Sunday August 6, the runners were welcomed and greeted by many of our leaders and community members at Wolfclan Truck Stop first. There, greetings and welcome came from words by Jake Swamp, Curtis Nelson, Stacey Boots, Larry King, Joe Lazore and Stacy Adams. The words of welcome were all good and gratitude was given for the safe return of all runners.

With the hot sun beating down on the backs of the runners, they again prepared to head westward on Rt. 37 to reach their destination of Tekashonkarorens. Three runners were chosen to take the lead as they followed the three horses ridden by the Lakotas. The horses were provided by Aaron and Doris King upon request. The runners were also escorted by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, the CKON 97.3 KIA van along with other vehicles as they bore messages of the UNITY on the windows. Many people held signs as the long treck of various Nations mingled along side the runners. History was made on this day and all involved will remember this for years to come.

Followed by community and family members, and the sounds of the horns on cars, people lined the highway in recognition of the youth and the hundreds of miles of tracks they made. Many more people came forward to meet the runners as they approached the Kanienkeha Kaianerekowa Kanonhsehsne just before the bridge. United, the happiness of this day spread throughout.

Once everyone got to the Kanonhsehsne, all that were present with the runners were welcomed and greeted. Joined in a circle, hugs and handshakes were exchanged along with messages given by James Gray, Roger Jock, Myron Clute, and Tom Square. Again good thoughts were expressed toward the youth runners and the great success of their many days on the roads. There was a strong sense of unity and peace there.

Next on the agenda was a lunch and a harmonious Unity Stomp Dance for all to take part in. The floor shook in a way that gave everyone a feeling of family and completeness. After leaving from here, it was time to head to the Mohawk Nation Longhouse where another meal was waiting. There were more dances to share as the Social took place and friends and family would again gather to tell stories while laughing and the happiness filled the air some more. The YOUTH have spoken and showed us what these runs are all about. Keep the unity runs going and teach the children as they grow so they will know what our Elders meant in their message.

The following day, on August 7th, the runners along with the community, gathered at the Ahkwesahsne Freedom School where a huge concert took place in the honor of the UNITY RUN 2006. There was a threatening downpour of rain that almost cancelled the event, but the concert did continue when the sun shined. At first there was so much rain that it caused the CKON circuits to quit for a few moments. They were on location broadcasting live for all of Ahkwesahsne and surrounding areas.

As people arrived, parking was soon a hard thing to find. Many so excited to soon hear the music filling the air from many performers on hand. A local band called The Dirty Blues Project was the host band of the night. They also closed out the evening being the last to play. With the Unity Runners dancing to the Mud Snye Stomp, the musicians were jamming and rocking out. Other bands that were featured included "Digging Roots" with a folk reggae sound. "Thundertones" played their good ole jigging music. April White was on hand as she sang Karaoke songs of Patsy Cline and Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby Magee". December Wind added some of their tunes as well as an Oneida Rapper with her rhymes. Many people enjoyed the song to women sung by "Warrior's Blood". Bear Fox sang her ever so popular "Rich Girl". The Ahkwesahsne Women Singers gathered to sing the Tim Horton song. Keith Secola sang his Frybread and Indian Car songs. Katsitsionni Fox showed a documentary about the Unity Run 2006. She also showed the background of the Unity Runs and how the feeling of togetherness was present, with the enjoyment of the atmosphere, good food and great music under the night sky.