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The Long Walk for Big Mountain/Save Black Mesa Prayer-Walk December 31, 1999 to February 2, 2000. (Kuraiyama - Tokyo, JAPAN to Big Mountain/Black Mesa, Dineh Nation.)

This Walk originated out of concerns for the injustice and genocide perpetrated upon the aboriginal tribes living on the Black Mesa region in northeastern Arizona. This planned Walk also is a result of the growing solidarity among the international communities who have recently been holding prayer vigils and protests at various U.S. Embassy, as well as the presentation of letters and petitions to the Embassies. These Embassy protests began in October 1999 during the week of the International Day of Solidarity for Indigenous People. The events were held in many locations internationally and nationally like: Tokyo, London, Stockholm, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Salt Lake City. The Japanese Supporters for the traditional Dineh resistors at Big Mountain initiated this endeavor to create more awareness and support of prayer so that, the federal eviction threats will be halted.

The initial Walk started from the continental divide of the Japan's main island at a place called Kuraiyama. AIM Cofounder and Sacred Run Coordinator, Dennis Banks, helped with the ceremonies that officially started this spiritual walk. This Walk is another example of the many spiritual walks and runs held by indigenous nations in America to pray for peace and to stop the injustice, toxic contamination, and industrialization committed upon the remaining Indian lands. According to the ancient teachings of the Red People, such Walks and Runs have been in practice for many generations to carry messages among tribes about ceremonies and warnings. Messengers would carry certain religious or ceremonial paraphernalia that will be shared ceremonially when the destination of the message is completed. This ceremonial sharing involves all members of the community who receives the message as well as the Walkers or Runners.

The Long Walk for Big Mountain/Save Black Mesa Prayer-Walk will carry the Sacred Pipe of the Red People as instructed by Mr. Dennis Banks in respect and honor of his people's ancient teachings. A Sacred Staff is also being carried alongside the Pipe that symbolizes the national flag of the indigenous nations. These staffs are made with prayer and decorated with colored ribbons, tobacco ties, mineral stones, sea shells, and eagle feathers. The staff is cut from a live tree only after special offerings and prayers are made to the Earth Mother. The Sacred Pipe (commonly known as the Peace Pipe) is a sacred possession of all indigenous nations across the Americas. To the Plains tribes, White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the original Pipe to them during the times of creation. The wooden stem embodies the Earth's gift of life, and the pipestone is all the solid rocks of the Universe. The pipe will always have tobacco in it whenever it is put together because it will be interfacing with each other to receive prayer and to continue creating life and peace. The staff decoration of colored ribbons represents the colors of humanity and the cardinal directions of earth and the universe. The eagle feather is our official flag to which we, the Red People, pledge our allegiance to.

The Walk or Relay-runs are completely conducted with prayers being said as each step is made. These prayers are made in remembrance of what needs to be healed, and there are prayers that all evils or negative threats to be replaced with the blessings of peace or balance. These Walkers/Runners also are aware that they are choosing to sacrifice with fatigue, hunger, hot or cold temperatures, and sore muscles. With this sacrifice, they all pray to ask Creator to restore balance and peace for those in suffering and also, that their message will awaken those who have not realize or those who search for understanding. And so, this Walk is for the survival of the traditional communities on Black Mesa who are now suffering at the hands of the Coal companies, Electric authorities, federal tribal governments, and the Federal agencies of the U.S. Many international, national and Indian communities are now realizing the truth to this suffering, and it is because the traditional people on Black Mesa are living on billions of tons of the richest coal reserve in the United States. The American Southwest and some international countries' electrical energy are depending on these reserves while the Coal companies only expect profits. The truth has been so obvious in that, the interest in the mineral resources have drastically out-weighted the government claims of an intertribal dispute.

According to the ancient prophecies of the Dineh and Hopi, the aboriginal inhabitants of the Black Mesa should never abandon this Altar, and if they ever did Purification will ensue upon all humanity. The traditional Hopi have for many decades carried this message throughout the world. Part of the Hopi prophecy states that, "many signs of the coming of Purification have been witnessed already. Now, humanity must immediately choose whether to return to Ma'sai's teachings which is by returning to growing corn, praying with the corn meal and keeping the Earth in balance." Some of these traditional Hopi leaders like the late David Monongeya had continuously encouraged the Dineh resistors at Big Mountain to "Never leave this land! You must help all humanity by protecting this place, Black Mesa." The ancient Dineh prophecy also supports the protection of Black Mesa. Today's Dineh elder resistors continue, also, to state that the Goddess Black Mesa and Big Mountain are being 'butchered' as Peabody Western Coal Company extract her liver (coal) and draining of all her body fluids (Navajo Aquifer). "Mother Goddess will eventually die, and we humans will have no more springs to provide us water, the filtering of air (oxygen) will cease, the dynamics in the regeneration of weather patterns will be no more, and all life on Black Mesa and elsewhere will begin to experience strange-new diseases."

Throughout the last 35 years of indigenous resistance in America, new awareness about the ancient human knowledge has increased. Also, the traditional Dineh and Hopi's resistance movements have provided much wisdom and appreciation for our original human destinies to care-take for the Earth and acknowledge the universe as a Supreme Being. Today, there is a unique and sacred interconnection building among all colors of the human race, globally. As we speak, Japanese alternative coalitions are walking across Japan and after reaching Tokyo, they will all come to the States. In Tokyo, they will present to the U.S. Embassy more signed petitions and letters in support of the resistance on Black Mesa. Their trip to the US will be done by air travel, then a caravan from Los Angeles to Flagstaff. The Prayer-Walk from San Francisco Mountain will host the convergence of many types of prayers for global peace. We hope to have other European and African supporters join us. All ways of praying to Nature will be respected and utilized --just as the wishes from the Dineh elders. The Buddhist sect Nipponzan Myhoji will accompany this walk with their prayer-drum and chants from sun up to sun down. Their prayer-drums for peace have helped keep rhythm for indigenous walks in the past. The Walk Pipe and Staffs will require the Indian Way of prayer circles throughout the day at specific times.

Our time in this era of high tech industrialization and militarism we need a new society and not a new political party. This is just an example of a human movement. Though, it maybe minute in comparison to the rest of the major world organizations. However, a few traditional Dineh and Hopi elders have held-off the all the 'corporate might' of capitalistic America. Let us now pray the ancient prayers of our ancestors, our movement leaders, and spiritual leaders, and let us save the Sacred Altar known as Black Mesa/Big Mountain.

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Walk Information and Schedule

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The Continuation of "The Long Walk For Big Mountain" (Kuraiyama - Tokyo, JAPAN to Big Mountain, Arizona U.S.A.):

Start: January 27, 2000 (Thursday) from the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona Sunrise Ceremony at the White Vulcan Pumice Mine site on the southeastern slopes of the San Francisco Peaks. Walk will proceed down a Forest Service Road to U.S. Highway 89 North.

Finish: February 2, 2000 (Wednesday) at the Heart of the Big Mountain/Black Mesa Area [This is a Prayer Walk: NO Alcohol, NO Drugs, NO Weapons or any expression of Violence.]

Schedule:
Jan. 27th, (Thur.) Walk will stop at Antelope Hills on Hwy. 89N, and there will be an overnight stay at the Cameron Chapter House on the Navajo Reservation.

Jan. 28th, (Fri.) Reception and another stay at the Cameron Chapter House along Hwy. 89N.

Jan. 29th, (Sat.) Walk will proceed north on Hwy. 89, and continues onto U.S. Highway. 160 east. Reception and overnight stay at the Tuba City Chapter House in Tuba City, Arizona.

Jan. 30th, (Sun.) Overnight stay at the Red Lake Chapter House along Hwy. 160.

Jan. 31st, (Mon.) Walk reaches Black Mesa and enters the Peabody Coal Mining lease area. Walk leaves Hwy. 160 and continues onto Route 41 towards the Upper Big Mountain Ridge. Outdoor camping is possible at this point.

Feb. 1st, (Tue.) Walk arrives at the Cactus Valley Community in northern Big Mountain area. Outdoor camping and accommodation per local residents.

Feb. 2nd, (Wed.) Walk reaches its final destination at the Heart of Big Mountain/Black Mesa Area.

Prayer Offerings and Pipe Ceremony will be held with the traditional Dineh and Hopi who are in opposition to relocation and coal mining on Black Mesa.

Purpose:
-To pray and walk in solidarity with the Dineh and Hopi people, Japanese Supporters, other International and American Supporters so that, Peace and Truth can prevail in order to "Save Black Mesa" from environmental and cultural devastation, and

-To bring about a greater awareness about how the threats against the Human and Aboriginal Rights of the Big Mountain Dineh can be an example of the final annihilation of all Indigenous peoples in America, and

-To stand in solidarity with the traditional Dineh Elders who are in resistance to genocide and the final eviction deadline scheduled for February 1st, 2000.

NOTE: Walker's Camp or stay locations will be indicated by four-colored cloth streamers. ALL ARE WELCOME TO WALK!! Please be prepared for outdoor camping and walking in winter weather.