"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - The Journey of the Second Hoop

The Journey of the Second Hoop
Walking for Wellness "Wiping of the Tears"

the People's Voice ~ Thursday, May 11, 2000

The Journey of the Second Hoop, entered Oklahoma last week, beginning the second leg of its 3800 mile journey across the United States. The group held a special ceremony, on Tuesday, at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the site of the 1995 "Oklahoma Bombing".
The walk is sponsored by White Bison, Inc.and led by Don Coyhis (Mohican) the founder of the non-profit corporation. The walk began last month in Los Angeles and will end on July 10, in Washington D.C. The journey will take 109 days.
The route of the Walk includes: Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Gallup, NM; Albuquerque, NM; Oklahoma City, OK; Tahlequah, OK; Little Rock, AK; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Cherokee, NC; and Washington, DC.
The Journey of the Second Hoop walk is all about "wellbriety", a combination of sobriety and wellness, and working to put an end to family violence.
Stops have been made at several Indian communities along the way. Conferences and gatherings have been held at each stop. which have included different topics pertaining to the health and well being of Indian Country. Specific topics have included talks on domestic violence and prevention, drug and alcohol abuse, fatherhood, and boarding schools. Topics such as; teen suicide, fetal alcohol syndrome, women, and Native American Indian leadership, will be included in the future talks.
Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), will be on hand to welcome the walkers as they arrive in Tahlequah this weekend. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the capitol of the CNO.
A special Mother's Day feast is planned for Sunday, May 14, 2000. Speakers include; Jim Henson, Principal Chief of the Keetoowahs, and Don Coyhis.
A conference is planned for, Monday, May 15, 2000. The topic for this conference is on drugs and alcohol. One of the guest speakers includes, former Minnesota Viking football player Joey Browner.
The public is encouraged to participate. For more information on the walk and/or about events, call (877) 871-1495 and visit the White Bison web site.