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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

First Nations running to Washington to raise awareness

By: Carolin Vesely

Posted: 09/4/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Emitt Eastman, an elder from the Dakota Sioux nation in South Dakota, blows a whistle and holds up an eagle feather in Memorial Park this morning to start prayers for runners taking part in the Run for Human Rights II. Runners will make a 2,000-mile journey from Winnipeg to Washington, DC to raise awareness about indigenous issues in Canada and the U.S. (JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

After placing a medicine bundle around each of their necks, Ernie Cobiness watched his five children, ages 10 to 20, climb the steps of the Manitoba Legislative Building to unfurl a banner with the words Buffalo Point First Nation Youth Walk for Democracy.

The siblings, joined by members of the Roseau River, Sagkeeng and Dakota First Nations, will carry it to Washington, D.C., during a historic 3,000-kilometre journey to raise awareness of failing health care and other indigenous issues in Canada and the U.S.

"I'm very proud of them. It's a step in the right direction for becoming leaders themselves," Cobiness said during Thursday's launch of the Run for Human Rights II. "Rather than blaming someone else, they're taking control of their future."

Participants, who will cover about 110 kilometres per day, will travel through Grand Forks, Fargo, Minneapolis and Chicago en route to the American capital, where they hope to meet with President Barack Obama on Oct. 9.

They'll carry a bottle of water and a bottle of tar sands oil -- symbolic of health and energy issues. The latter also represents First Nations' claims to royalties from resources on their lands.

The first Run for Human Rights was held in 1989, when development of the Native American gaming industry was hailed as the new "white buffalo" to restore pride and hope to American tribes. That can happen in Canada if First Nations are given a fair share of royalties from oil and other natural resources on their lands, said Roseau River Chief Terrance Nelson.

Emitt Eastman, a 77-year-old Dakota elder who took part in the first run, travelled from North Dakota to conduct a smudge ceremony and offer spiritual support to the runners.

"Each step is a prayer," Eastman told them. "This is the way our people carried messages centuries ago, from camp to camp and tribe to tribe."

James Cobiness, 20, carried his own token of inspiration to the prayer circle -- a framed photograph of his Korean war veteran grandfather in uniform.

"They went to war for our freedom and never got nothing," said the long-distance runner. "This is all about change."

carolin.vesely@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 4, 2009 B3

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