She insisted on going to New York not just for the international ceremony to honor native peoples, but also to check up on the walkers in person – to see with her own eyes how they are doing. Alhough our Sunbow walk is non-political she has been a tireless champion for it from the beginning. Johnie has long been active in the American Indian Movement (AIM). But she was raised with the Plains Indians, and has much of a warrior spirit when it comes to the welfare of the Earth. Grandmother Johnie– Standing Woman–is of Cherokee-Choctaw heritage. Together we drove to New York City to meet the band of the Sunbow walkers backtracking from Virginia to the House of Mica (United Nations headquarters). Starting out well before 6 AM, I drove from my home in the Monadnock region of New Hampshire to rendezvous with Grandmother Johnie Leverett at her home in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Ned and Joe tended the sacred fire, burned tobacco, and made prayers for the small band of Sunbow 5 walkers and supporters who have journeyed north by vehicle to United Nations headquarters in New York City to participate in a ceremony marking the first annual day honoring indigenous peoples worldwide. I was too tired to pour water, and everyone said I should rest and save my energy to make medicine for the walk.'

'Everything was well done,' according to Ned. Deerheart poured water for them in a purification lodge. The men offered tobacco to Chris Deerheart, an adopted Lakota man who lives nearby. The sisters sat together in circle through the afternoon. A lovely pond cooled by the shade of these trees gave the walkers a place to soak muscles, and feet. On the land the walkers were shielded from the hot sun by great arching trees, including a majestic old oak. They opened the door to their home and to their cupboards, wanting to be of support in whatever way. The walk moved onward, up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking the steps necessary to bring our Eagle Staff as far along the trail as Tuttle Gap, close by the new base camp at the home of Dennis and Willow in Floyd, Virginia.ĭennis and Willow shared freely with the pilgrims. All things connect.”ĭay 48 - Wednesday, AugFor the main body of walkers in Virginia, the day began at 6:00 AM. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. “Humankind has not woven the web of life. ◊ - A creative non-fiction book in online evolution - ◊

Sacred fire circle in paradise