The “Rise of the People Run” will not be taking place in 2010, but we hope to reestablish this program in 2011.  Please let us know if you are interested in participating or assisting with this program.

Purpose

The purpose of the Rise of the People Run (Pimáchamxwliki Tiinmamí Wáyxtit) is to provide an outlet for community members to develop mental, spiritual, and physical health through the endurance of running.  The participants will also heal from personal hardships and develop confidence.  Part of the healing process is to express themselves through testimonies, dance, and songs and this run provides this opportunity for youth, adults, and hosting tribes through a cultural exchange each evening.  By accomplishing a new goal each day through running and expression, the participants can take pride in themselves and further their self confidence.  The run allows the participants to see a large goal and with collaborative efforts the larger goal is broken down in to smaller manageable pieces. This concept can be internalized by the participants and used throughout their lives.

The target population is Native youth from ages 13-20.  There will also be adult participants that will act as mentors, chaperones, hosts, and project supporters.  Adult ages will range from youth to elders, allowing multi generational connections and mentoring opportunities.  Each year, 30 kids and 30 adults will be directly involved in the run itself.

Project Components

The First component is the preparation for the run.  The participants will prepare for the run throughout the year through training and conditioning.  They will also attend our workshops to learn diverse traditional and modern expression styles such as digital film, poetry, singing, and dance. Participants and community teachers will also make Native American regalia to use for cultural exchanges that will occur at the many stops along the run, and traditional crafts to sell for fundraising.

The Second component is the run itself, which will cover around 5 states, over two weeks, and multiple stops at host tribes and other locations, such as the University of Oregon.  We start each morning at sunrise with a talking circle, where our runners and participants share a song or some words for the day.  We run the designated distance in a relay style until the end is reached, usually 50-300 miles each day.  We gather when each day’s run is complete back into a circle and sing a Native American traditional song “the sacred run song” that was given to us by an elder.  We travel to a new location every day, usually a tribe or other host.  This host provides a dinner, showers, and place to stay. After dinner we have our cultural exchange.  The cultural exchange provides an opportunity for connection and learning for both the host and runners by expression through dance, song, readings, or any other outlet of expression they choose.   Approximately 9 tribes will participate along with the University of Oregon’s Northwest Indigenous Language Institute and Heritage University’s Dream Catchers program.

The Third component is project sustainability. Our goal is to make this an annual event.  To do this we are designing a component of the project that will allow participants to raise funds needed to ensure that the next year’s run is fully funded. This fundraising plan will include:  the making and selling of traditional crafts and t-shirts, direct fund requests during cultural exchanges (blanket dance), community sponsorships of runners, and pre-project fundraisers held by participants.  This component ensures that this project will continue annually, and will hold participants responsible for ensuring future youth will be able to participate in the run.  This instills a sense of mentorship and ownership in the project for the participants.

Greg Sutterlict, Xwayamamí Ishích (X.I.) president, has participated in Native American spiritual runs around the world including 11 counties and 47 U.S. states.  He has organized 2 runs and co-organized 4 Sacred Runs.  He has extensive knowledge in culture and language. Jessica Sutterlict, X.I. vice-president, has extensive experience working with youth, currently as a Washington MESA director, and working with both the scientific and cultural community.

Goals

Our overarching goals are to facilitate a healthier community spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally, build relationships that are intergenerational, and sustain the ‘Rise of the People Run’ to become and annual event. We hope to enlist the participation of 30 youth and 30 adults in the run, to facilitate cultural exchanges between participants and 9 host tribes, to raise funding during the year to ensure the following year’s ‘Rise of the People Run’, to conduct 10 workshops before the run with all 30 youth that will cover self-expression through the use of digital stories, poetry, songs, and dance, as well as regalia and craft making.

Community Impact

This project provides an enormous opportunity for healing, expression, and confidence building for the youth that participate. It connects them with their community and communities on other tribal reservations. It gives them a network of mentors and support that greatly increases their chances of becoming successful and productive members of their community. It also gives the opportunity to adults in the community to connect with youth and pass on their wisdom and knowledge, an often lost component of our culture.  Many Native youth grow up not knowing their native language or traditions because they don’t have knowledgeable mentors in their lives. This project will provide that link, giving youth a tool, running and cultural expression, to stay healthy and active.