Honor the Youth Spiritual Run IV...

Rosebud, SD to Macy, NE, August 9-13, 2006...

A month ago, on August 13, I participated in the last day of the Honor the Youth Spiritual Run. The run began on August 10 at Rosebud, South Dakota and each day was spent running through the communities of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, the Santee Sioux Tribe, and the Winnebago Tribe until the runners arrived in Macy, the heart of the Omaha Tribe. The purpose of the run was to create awareness of Native youth suicide, drug and alcohol addiction, tobacco abuse and violence prevention throughout all our communities.

The Night Before…

When I arrived on Saturday night in Vermillion, South Dakota. I met the runners at the USD Native American Student Center. I greeted my long-time friend, Marcella Gilbert who coordinated events in Vermillion and in Winnebago. Then I got to greet Pat Shepard whom I first met last spring. One of the first things I noticed about the runners was their ages. Most of the youth ranged in age from 10 to 25 years of age. The older adults were in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

Philip Gullikson said words of encouragement for the runners and then offered a prayer for our meal. Even though the runners had completed another day of over 90 miles, the young people still had a lot of energy. I was quite amazed. After this gathering everyone returned to the rooms for a much needed rest.

Sunday, August 13…

It was an intense day, in the extreme. We all woke up at 5:30 a.m. and headed out to the start site near Wynot, Nebraska. It was raining softly and peacefully. All the runners met by this creek, I didn't know the name but it was really a lovely area. The perfect place to began the run.

As everyone arrived we formed a circle. Then Pat Shepard began the ceremony. As soon as the sunrise ceremony started, I felt this tingling in my arms and hands. (This has been happening to me since I fasted last summer. It's a way that the spirits let me know that they are at work). This was truly a beautiful experience to start the day. First, tobacco was given out to everyone. Then, Pat Shepard, the Honor the Youth Project Coordinator and keeper of the staff, spoke to all the participants. She encouraged the runners to reflect on what the run was for and how serious the purpose is for everyone involved. When she finished, I spoke to everyone. First, I thanked them for their commitment to this run. And, I told them about the Omaha Tribal community and how we have been hurting from the recent suicides and violence. I also told them that what they were doing was going to help us and also was going to help them. I thanked them again. After the prayers, we each placed the tobacco we were given into a bundle, which was then tied to the eaglestaff.

Then the eaglestaff was given over to one of the runners who started running down the highway. The rest of us followed in vans. Each runner was to run with the staff singly or in pairs. I traveled with Pat and her friend Betty Martin in the pace van. Riding with these two was an adventure in itself. They had me laughing throughout the day until my jaw ached.

The second thing I noticed about the runners was that they were experienced runners and it definitely showed on this day. They maintained a strong pace. Wow!

I shed many tears and said many prayers that day. Prayers for the runners and prayers for the purpose they were serving. I saw how the little ones ran with the staff and how serious they were about it. There were three young boys, brothers who were running in memory of their mother who had died in February from a drug overdose. I watched the weather and I knew that this day was special for the run because of the way the clouds appeared. I have often seen these kinds of clouds on the third day of the sundance.

As we neared South Sioux City, I called the Macy Police Department to let them know where we were. They met us just a few miles south of Homer. We arrived in Winnebago around 5:00 p.m. From that point on things got even more intense. Nearly all the participants were running and the pace picked up. Two runners from Macy joined the run at this point. They were Eddie Webster and one of his daughters.

The Last Leg…

It was grueling for the runners. There was one big hill right before they got into Macy, which really took its toll on all of them. Some of the runners were hurting…badly. Pat called two of the runners, Joe Spears and Daniel Cottier, to come into the pace van so that she could let them know that they would speak for all the runners once we got to the pow-wow. I provided further instructions as to how they should introduce themselves formally to the Omaha people.

When we came to the turnoff for Macy, everyone started running. I could feel all the energy that the runners were generating. I watched the little ones most of all, they kept a strong pace. It was the most awesome experience. And, at the front was the eaglestaff.

As we arrived at the pow-wow arena, we were asked to wait until one of the specials was finished. We continued to run in place for several minutes. Then the arena director, Tony Provost gave the signal to the main drum and our honor song began. Of all songs, it was the AIM song. I turned and looked at Pat and we both just laughed. Of any song, that was the most appropriate one.

Many people came out to shake the runners’ hands. When the song was finished. Eddie and his daughter took the eaglestaff to the front of the announcer’s stand and I was called up there as well. I wasn’t expecting to be able to say anything at this time. So, I was glad that my mother also came with me. So, in turn I also called for Daniel and Joe who agreed to speak for all the youth.

When I spoke before all my relatives in the audience, I spoke from the heart and right now I don't remember a word I said. All I was aware of was that evening was that this was one way to create the awareness that is so needed for our community. Next, the two young men introduced themselves and spoke. Daniel Cottier talked first. He’s a member of the Oglala Nation and lives in Minneapolis. Although he was in a lot of pain, he told everyone why he ran for the youth and that he loved us. I was very happy that Elsie Clark provided a chair for him to sit in. Then Joe Spears of the Red Lake Nation spoke. He was very formal when he introduced himself. I felt so proud of him because he addressed everyone in the Ojibwe language. What each of these young men said about the run and its purpose impacted many people. I witnessed the reaction of the audience to their words. I also felt their words like they were burned into my very being.

The runners formed a semi-circle in the arena and introduced themselves and where they were from. Then we were finished.

Celebration and Sharing…

As we made our way to the Valentine Parker, Jr. Prevention Center, I looked at everyone and saw that they still had a lot of energy. Again, I was amazed. The day ended with a meal and with a youth forum for the participants. Marcella facilitated the discussion with the youth. Pat spoke to the youth about her experience and how she came to be the coordinator. Each one of the youth had a story about why they participated in the run. And, each story was one of heartbreak. They also talked of what the run had done for them. They each felt a sense of accomplishment.

There were many lessons learned throughout this run, from what I understand. Milton Miller ran the closing sweat. What was revealed was that throughout the four days, there was energy at work that at times seemed contrary to what the run was about. It was Heyoka energy and the valuable lessons learned were centered on this contrary spiritual energy and on sacrifice. This run was not only about creating awareness but was also about healing. All of us who participated received healing and understanding in many ways…most especially the youth.

Thank You!

I wish to thank the many people who came forward and helped with this spiritual run.

• I would like to thank Red Lake Nation Tribal Chairman, Floyd Buck Jourdain, Jr. for recommending that the run come to Macy.
• I would like to thank the Omaha Tribal Council for allowing this run to take place on our reservation.
• I would like to thank the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Yankton Sioux Tribe, the Santee Sioux Tribe, and the Winnebago Tribe for their efforts.
• I would like to thank the Omaha Tribe Pow-wow Committee and drum for their help with the honor song and special, and for recognizing the youth.
• I would like to thank the Omaha Tribal Police Department and the Omaha Tribal EMT’s for all their efforts in making this run a success.
• I would also like to thank Wopila Bad Hand, Tanya Whirlwind Soldier, Mabel Ann Eagle Hunter, Faith Spotted Eagle, Donnelle Saunsoci, and Marcella Gilbert for all their efforts in coordinating this run in each community.
• I would like to thank Libby Webster, Elsie Clark, Jay Bazemore, Deb Parker, and Arnie Harlan for their roles in helping with the run.
• I would like to thank all the runners, especially the youth.
• I would like to thank Eddie Webster and his daughter for running with the eaglestaff.
• I would like to thank my mother, Alice Saunsoci, for her good, kind words she shared with everyone.
• I would like to thank Milton Miller and the Alcohol Center for the closing sweatlodge ceremony.
• And, I would like to thank Pat Shepard, the Project Coordinator for her effort in seeing that everything fell into place throughout the entire run.

In closing, I would like to say that when the run was offered to the Omaha tribal community, I was unsure of how I was going to coordinate this end. I was in a lot of pain because of the break-up of my marriage that occurred right before this was brought here, and I truly had no idea what was going to happen next. I apologize profusely to anyone I may have offended in this process because of my own lack of direction. So, I say this from my heart, I am very thankful for this spiritual run and what I’ve seen these youth sacrifice. And, because of their sacrifices, I, too, have received healing and many blessings.

Now, it’s time for us to really begin our work...

Wibthahon! Ewithai wongithe!
Thank you! All my relations!

- Renee New Holy, Macy Coordinator for the Honor the Youth Spiritual Run IV