(February 23, 1990) A group of 25 Native Americans and 25 Japanese will be in Europe in 1990 to continue The Longest Run, beginning 6 August, the 45th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, in London and ending mid October in Moscow.
(328.3277) WISE Stockholm - During the run, prayers and ceremonies to help heal the destruction of the land and misunderstandings in human relationships will be held, as well as public forums and educational and media events.
The Longest Run has already logged over 15,000 km since it began in California in the early 1980's. In 1988 the run went from New York to California and throughout Japan. People of different nationalities and spiritual backgrounds joined both as runners and supporters. The Native runners ages have ranged from 13 to 57 years old.
The tentative route for the current stage of the run will take participants through the following cities:
London, UK
Paris, France
Berlin, Germany
Warsaw, Poland
Gdansk, Poland
Helsinki, Finland
Oulu, Finland
Lapp-Krovsk, Finland
Leningrad, USSR
Tartu, Estonia
Riga, Latvia
Kaunas, Lithuania
Moscow, USSR.
Running has long been a part of the traditional Native American way of life, as a way of connecting with Mother Earth through one's body, mind, and spirit. Denis Banks, a founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in the US and a main organizer of the run writes:
"Spirituality is the foundation of our purpose. Spirituality directs our lives hourly, daily, monthly and yearly. From the beginning of time, Native Americans have believed in the complete cycle of man. That cycle is sacred. All life is sacred.
Every living species: human being, bird, tree, plant, fish, insect, is sacred. The Earth, itself parent to all, is sacred."
"This run will focus on spirituality, prayers and peace. The conditions that affect our land and our life are central to this purpose. Throughout the centuries Native Americans have expressed these thoughts in many different ways. Running is one of these expressions. Every mile, every kilometer, is filled with prayers for Mother Earth."
"We have run through the hottest deserts of this world, through the frozen lands of the North, over the highest mountains of our Lands, through thunderstorms, through the day and the night. We begin each day with prayers and carry the medicine of these prayers throughout that day and we end each day with thanksgiving and the burning of tobacco. We shall take on the mission of running through Europe in this spiritual way. That is our mission. We shall not fail."
During the course of the run various cultural activities will be presented from both the Native Americans and Japanese traditions, in forms of music, dances, poetry, songs, and story telling. Runners from 15 different Native American tribes will perform dances using traditional Indian drums and flutes. Poetry readings, songs and traditional dress will also be a part of the presentations. Explanations of the different tribal lifestyles, customs and traditions will be included, and representative arts and crafts will be displayed. As with Native Americans, the drums (Taiko) have long played a major part of the Japanese cultural history. Japanese runners will conduct evening Taiko sessions. In addition, the ancient art of Noa music will be highlighted. Theatrical performances will be conducted by some of the runners dressed in traditional styles, telling some of the old stories of their culture.
ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED
Supporters are asked to: - develop and coordinate all assistance in the countries that committees are located; - assist in the routing of the run; -develop regional committees for fund raising; - organize a media campaign around the event; - work with other committees in participating countries.
The following are needed: food and water source scheduling, rest stops and sleeping locations (schools, churches, private homes, hostels, parks, etc.), translators, etc.
A letter has been sent out dated 10 February from Denis Banks. He writes: "I realize this request is of very short notice and that the project is huge and timing may prevent you from accepting all or part of the above agenda. Should you accept this request, I and the staff of the national committees in Japan and the US will be eternally grateful. I would also request an answer by 12 March 1990 so I may report to the national Japan committee."
Sources and Contacts: Mountain Gem, 130 Lincoln Suite 846, Sante Fe, New Mexico 87501, USA, tel: 505-983-5884; and Nitassinan-CSIA, B.P. 101, 75623 Paris CEDEX 13, France, tel: Jarine, 46 34 15 56, FAX: 42 67 52 66.