The Sacred Sites Run has
been rescheduled until 2009.
This inter-tribal Sacred Sites Run that will begin
at the Hopi's sacred
site village of Shungopovi in Arizona and will continue on into
Mexico to end at the sun pyramid in Teotihuacan.
Runners from the Hopi, Dine, Zuni, Apache, Yaqui, Tlinquit, Moari,
Raramuri, Yokut, Tongva, Huichol, Purepechas, Zapotecas, Luiseno,
Aztecas, Chumash, and Miwak are some of the nations that have
committed to represent their nations on this Run.
Our mission is to run in the traditional ways
taught by our elders.
Our purpose is to remember the responsibility
that we have as human beings, to respect and honor all forms of
life.
Our vision is to make our run a ceremonial offering
that will bridge indigenous traditionswith the needs of the present,
ensuring and providing for generations to come.
Why We Run:
According to our culture the heartbeat rhythm created
by our feet while running joins us – connects us with every
single thing that sustains life. We become one heart, one mind,
one body, one spirit as we run. In the tradition of the Raramuri
people of the Copper Canyon, in Mexico, we believe that running
is the most sacred way to offer ones life in prayer.
We go on spirit runs to remind everyone that we are all one people
and that we are the caretakers of our mother Earth.
We know that all human beings have the same needs – food,
dwelling and community - regardless of which direction we may
dwell in. We run to bring our attention to the disrespect that
we are doing to the Earth, to meet our needs, because everything
we eat, we wear, everyplace we live in, every single object that
we make and we use comes from all the gifts that the mother Earth
provides so abundantly.
In thanks to all which She, our mother Earth provides for all
beings, this Run of 2008, will honor her sacred sites. Our feet
will follow the paths left by our ancestors so that we can remember,
how to live respectfully, and in so doing, honor and respect the
sacred site gifted to us- that of our bodies, our mind, our heart
and our spirit.
Therefore this ceremony begins with the very first step of the
Run, in the Second Mesa in the state of Arizona and will continue
in ceremonial protocol until the last step is taken, upon arriving
in the pyramids at Teotihuacan in Mexico. This medicine, this
Run, is a renewal of our traditions and our humanity as one people,
so that we may act in a conscious manner and find solutions without
delay.
An Invitation
to the Sacred Sites Run:
We invite everyone who wishes to run with us in this way, to
join us. Every day the Run will begin with a sunrise ceremony
and end in a talking circle that honors the hosting community’s
sacred site.
We will also exchange ideas on sustainability as well as practices,
resources and contact information with every community that hosts
us while on route.
The Sacred Sites Run will leave from Second Mesa, Arizona and
culminate in a four day gathering of nations in Teotihuacan, México,
focused on the weaving of indigenous and scientific wisdom to
heal our mother planet.
Hosting
Communities:
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Hope Bear Clan |
Geronimo |
Sisoguchic |
Zacatecas |
2nd Mesa, Az |
Cochise |
Guachochic |
San Luis Potosi |
Winslow |
Agua Prieta |
Jimenez |
Querétaro |
Holbrook |
Janos |
Gomez Palacio |
Mexikas |
Fort Apache |
Madera |
Rio Grande |
Teotihuacan, México |
Coordinators:
International Coordinator: |
Olivia Chumacero
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Assistant Coordinator: |
Ruben Saufkie, Sr.
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México Coordinator: |
Helen Samuels
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Ruben Saufkie, Sr. is a Hopi from the Water Clan. "I AM
A SIMPLE MAN"
He is described by others as "a humble man, who serves his
family, his people and Humanity through his messages of understanding,
respect, peace and care for our Mother Earth". Ruben was
one of the leaders of the 2006 H2OPI Water Run which included
a delegation of Hopi runners that left the Hopi community in Arizona
carrying sacred spring waters gathered from around the world and
was presented after their run to the World Water Forum in Mexico
City. The H2OPI water run was held to raise awareness of our Mother
Earth and the water she has given us; if humanity does not take
care of this gift for future generations there could be a day
when we do not have it
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| Photo courtesy Tanya Lee -- (Top photo) Ruben Saufkie
Sr., a member of the Water Clan, introduces visitors to
a spring that is once again flowing with clean water. He
pours a ''blessing'' of water over Hector Francisco Ancelmo.
From left to right in the background are Cesar Cordova,
Hernando Gomez Hernandez and Luz Maria de la Torre, one
of two Ecuadorian interpreters for the group. (Bottom photo)
Hopi runners gathered in the Hopi village of Shungopavi
in September 2004 to make plans for the run to Mexico City
in 2006. |
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2006 RUN: RESPECT FOR WATER AND LIFE
More and more, the world community is recognizing what Hopi and
indigenous peoples have been taught since time immemorial: “Water
Is Life – We come from water and will return to water as
mist” when our journey on earth ends.
All waters is a sacred gift from the Creator and a precious
birth-right of all living beings. All waters are part of a singular
network of life – the great oceans and seas, the frozen
waters and glaciers, the cosmic sea from which are born the clouds,
snow and rains that nurture the plants, animals, birds, fishes,
insects, reptiles and humankind. We are of waters and waters are
of us.
As demands for fresh waters increases and resources diminish,
the prospect of global water wars and domestic struggles among
diverse populations become more and more likely. Every eight (8)
seconds a child dies from drinking polluted water. In the meantime
corporations are getting rich buying and selling clean waters
all over the world.
On March 2, 2006, Hopi runners will carry sacred messages, teachings,
and waters gifted to us from many parts of the world to the international
gathering of leaders who will be attending the 4th World Water
Forum in Mexico City.
Along the way starting from our sacred homeland on Black Mesa
(Northern Arizona), the runners and Hopi elders will meet with
indigenous peoples, who will add their spirit and blessing, their
energy and prayers for peace. We will accept their water samples
that will be poured into a lake at the end of the Run. The Run
will bring us to Central Mexico, places of our clan origins, to
reaffirm our cultural ties to our brothers and sisters.
The Run will re-establish bonds of respect and unity so that
together we will bring hope and courage to change the world for
the better.
Led by Ruben Saufkie, Sr. (Water Clan) and attended by elders
who will be providing spiritual guidance, the runners, ranging
in ages from 12 to 70, will average 150 miles per day for two
(2) weeks and arrive in Mexico City in time for the grand opening
ceremony on March 16, 2006.
The Run is organized by volunteers from all of the 12 Hopi villages,
and is a project of Black Mesa Trust, a non-profit organization
dedicated to teaching the world community about traditional Hopi
knowledge about waters.
We invite peoples from all over the world to gift us with samples
of sacred waters with the message: “May Peace Prevail Forever”
in their native language.
Kwakwhá. May the spirit of waters guide you.
FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS PEOPLE OF ALL CULTURES HAVE HONORED
WATER
The hosting dance groups have followed the traditional ways of
their people and will be coming from four states to receive the
HOPI and bring their songs, their dances and their offerings to
the Water deity TLALOC´s. They want the Hopi runners and
their elders to have a proper welcoming and to make sure the Water
is received in a sacred manner by the traditional Mexicans. It
has now become part of the oral history of the Mexicas…that
when Ruben Saufkie Sr. , coordinator of the HOPI run, was recently
in Mexico he was invited to speak at the circle of dance of the
Mexicas. He spoke his words of the intent and reason for the Hopi
run and all received him with open hearts, it started to sprinkle
and then a light rain blessed the whole group and the flowers
after the dance. It happened only in that area of the city and
exactly in the middle of the year's dry season. This was a sign
to all that this run was very important and the spirits of water
wanted all to assist the HOPI in their endeavors. Seasoned runners
from the Peace and Dignity run and from the Cuauhtemoc run have
also offered their assistance and support.The traditional dance
group Xolalpan Teopanacazco from Teotihuacan as well as many other
groups from the Azteca – Mexica- Teotihuacana and Otomi
traditions have offered to ceremonially receive the HOPI runners,
their elders and eagle dancers and their Spirit of Water message
in front of Tlaloc at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
on March 16th at Noon.
Many cultures will be present that day and others will be joining
the intent from around the globe so that simultaneously we can
celebrate the gift that water is and that we, as water, are collectively.
Each one expressing their own heartfelt message of gratitude,
prayer and respect towards the Spirit that is Life itself, WATER.
