In May, a group of runners left Chickaloon, Alaska, and another departed from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, expecting to meet roughly six months later in Tikal, Guatemala, as part of the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journey.
Peace and Dignity Journeys, run every four years since 1992, are “spiritual runs that embody the prophecy of the eagle and condor,” the organizers say. The prophecy dictated that all indigenous people of the Western Hemisphere “reunite in a spiritual way in order to heal our nations, so we can work for a better future for our children and generations to come,” the group said in a brochure.
In about a week — give or take a day or two — participants running the leg from Eagle Butte, S.D., to Denver will be in Colorado.
From here, another group will head to Taos, N.M., and hand off to other runners, who will make the trek south to Mexico and eventually to Guatemala.
This year’s run is dedicated to water, something indigenous people hold sacred.
The runners also pray.
“This prayer is bringing back the people to be more like one, to better understand our differences and similarities,” said Esther Acosta of the Colorado Committee for Peace and Dignity. “We are reminded about peace, dignity, about the elders and respect of Mother Nature.”
Juan Espinosa, who owns about 75 acres north of Pueblo, is going to allow the runners to stay on his property or in his basement. He said it’s just the right thing to do.
“I’m a Chicano, and I’m indigenous, and they are good people, and I want to help out,” Espinosa said.
Margaret Montano of Denver is on the route to help coordinate efforts. She thinks the runners will be here between Friday and Aug. 12. Five runners carrying sacred staffs are taking part in this leg, and some people join in for a few days in support.
“It’s beautiful. It’s hot,” Montano said of the route.
The group needs support runners, native advisers, doctors or people with medical experience, support personnel at layover locations, and mechanics who can work on support vehicles. Also, financial support is welcome.
More than 80 communities are helping the runners through the half-year trek.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175, cillescas@denverpost.com or
Volunteers needed
If you want to help with the Peace and Dignity Journey, here are several contacts:
• Jay Alire, Denver, 303-477-3727 or jalire@gmail.com
• Nick Diaz, Denver, 720-447-4684 or nkdz52@aol.com
• Carleen Vigil, Dulce, N.M., 505-586-4565 or carleenjhfc@gmail.com
• Tara Vigil, Ignacio, 970-563-0100, ext. 3624, or tvigil@southern-ute.nsn.us
• Crystal Thompson, Ignacio, 970-563-0246, ext. 3317, or cthompson@
