Wednesday, July 27, 2005
SWOP homepageAbalone Mountain Run
July 29 - Abalone Mountain Run crosses Arizona and New Mexico to call for protection of sacred sites
Tribal runners from all directions converge on Sacred San Francisco Peaks to deliver traditional messages and prayers for protection of the Peaks
FLAGSTAFF, AZ—Tribal runners from across Arizona and New Mexico finished a week-long relay run on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks to call for greater protection for the San Francisco Peaks and other tribal sacred sites under threat like the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque NM, and Mount Graham in Arizona. A news conference was held today on the Navajo Nation’s Peaks Ranch on the slopes of the sacred Peaks to announce and formally finish the Abalone Mountain Run.The Run started simultaneously on July 23rd on Mount Graham in southern Arizona, Petroglyph National Monument just outside of Albuquerque, NM, from the village of Supai and the Hualapai town of Peach Springs. Runners have run the miles from their directions to the eastern slopes of the Peaks where tribal members welcomed them with water, watermelon and prayers.
The Abalone Mountain Run was organized to bring attention to the many sacred site battles that are occurring throughout the Southwest. Many Native American religious sites are being threatened by a multitude of reasons like resource extraction, sprawl development and environmental contamination.
“Our sites are being sacrificed in the name of the ‘public good’ and nothing good ever becomes of desecrating anyone’s sacred places” said Sonny Weahkee, of SAGE Council. SAGE Council is fighting to protect the Petroglyph National Monument from being desecrated by road development since the early 1990’s.
The Abalone Mountain Run is to bring attention to the many sacred site battles that are occurring throughout the Southwest. Many Native American religious sites are being threatened by a multitude of reasons like resource extraction, sprawl development and environmental contamination. “Our sites are being sacrificed in the name of the ‘public good’ and nothing good ever becomes of desecrating anyone’s sacred places” said Sonny Weahkee, of SAGE Council. SAGE Council is fighting to protect the Petroglyph National Monument from being desecrated by road development since the early 1990’s.
Robert Tohe, runner and Sierra Club Environmental Justice Organizer, who helped organized the run said, “The Peaks issues has always been about Environmental Justice. Running is one way that the tribes bring attention and prayers to this Abalone Mountain. This is the way that tribes can support each other on their sacred site issues.”
__________________________________________________
update from the road...
Hello Everyone,
Just giving you all a heads up on where we're at with the Abalone Mountain Run. We are 2 days ahead of schedule, we made it all the way to Winona (about 22 mi from Flagstaff) last night (Tuesday). We had a tremendous turn out at Dilkon, 16 Dine' youth joined us at the Chapter house and 6 stayed with us all day. We were joined by Zuni Runners at Window Rock and our awesome OC members on Saturday and Sunday.
We have been fed by various community people at the different locations and Bineshi even cooked for us the first 2 days. (Thanks again!) The first night we stayed at the Acoma Boys and Girls Club. Thereafter, we've been camping out (Camp Asaayi, near Navajo, NM) and staying at chapter houses (Ganado,AZ and Birdsprings, AZ) along the way.
Today we will meet the Apache runners and share some of our supplies with them. Tomorrow we will run a short distance and finish Friday.
On Friday we will conclude our run, starting at 6:30 AM at the Silver Saddle Road and S. Kochfield Road intersection on the northwest side of Flagstaff, AZ. About a mile out from our destination, Navajo Nation Peaks Ranch (12 miles north of Flag), we will gather all our runners, supporters, community members and walk in as one collective group to meet the other tributaries at 10:00AM. That is when the days' ceremonies and events will begin. Please join us for walk-in if you can make it.
Hágoónee'
Leona Morgan
SAGE Council
w: 505.260.4696
h: 505.255.6698
(Pic above from Sage Council's website...)
Hello Everyone,
Just giving you all a heads up on where we're at with the Abalone Mountain Run. We are 2 days ahead of schedule, we made it all the way to Winona (about 22 mi from Flagstaff) last night (Tuesday). We had a tremendous turn out at Dilkon, 16 Dine' youth joined us at the Chapter house and 6 stayed with us all day. We were joined by Zuni Runners at Window Rock and our awesome OC members on Saturday and Sunday.
We have been fed by various community people at the different locations and Bineshi even cooked for us the first 2 days. (Thanks again!) The first night we stayed at the Acoma Boys and Girls Club. Thereafter, we've been camping out (Camp Asaayi, near Navajo, NM) and staying at chapter houses (Ganado,AZ and Birdsprings, AZ) along the way.
Today we will meet the Apache runners and share some of our supplies with them. Tomorrow we will run a short distance and finish Friday.
On Friday we will conclude our run, starting at 6:30 AM at the Silver Saddle Road and S. Kochfield Road intersection on the northwest side of Flagstaff, AZ. About a mile out from our destination, Navajo Nation Peaks Ranch (12 miles north of Flag), we will gather all our runners, supporters, community members and walk in as one collective group to meet the other tributaries at 10:00AM. That is when the days' ceremonies and events will begin. Please join us for walk-in if you can make it.
Hágoónee'
Leona Morgan
SAGE Council
w: 505.260.4696
h: 505.255.6698
(Pic above from Sage Council's website...)
