Longest Walk 5: A journey for healing and hope begins in Southern California
Longest Walk 5: A journey for healing and hope begins in Southern California
Written by Terria Smith
The battle to end alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence in tribal communities nationwide began in San Diego County with a kick off event for the Longest Walk 5. The fight is being lead by American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks (Anishinaabe).
On Friday, February 12 a cultural event was hosted on the Barona Band of Mission Indians Reservation. Throughout the day there were speeches, bird singing and dancing, powwow drumming and dancing, children’s activities, as well as a raffle to raise funds for the walkers.
Banks said that the support he has received for this walk Declaring War on Drugs has been overwhelming.
“To see why we’re walking across America, because of domestic violence and calling an end to drug abuse. Then to see this kind of support that means that we’re walking for the right thing at the right time,” Banks said.
Bobby Wallace, a walk organizer for the Barona Band of Mission Indians, said his tribal leadership has been very supportive of the Longest Walk 5 and that they even gave them a budget to host the kick off event.
“We have great support from all the nations, all the Kumeyaay Nations as well as from all the nations of the human family,” Wallace said.
Mark Romero, a tribal member from the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, said he was supporting the event because the need to eradicate drugs in tribal communities is vital.
“This is a very important event as far as I’m concerned because we have to do something, because our villages are dying,” Romero said. “We have to pick up the warlance and go out and fight this because of our youth. There’s a lot of factors involved in what’s going on with our youth today and our adults because we grow up in that frame of mind.”
Romero, who has 27 years of recovery himself, said that his involvement is his culture has been what has kept him clean and sober.
“We’ve gotten so far away from our culture. Not our fault. It was taken away from us. But we have to somehow find a way to bring that culture back and let our young people know that drugs and alcohol are not our way,” he said. “That we can stand up and be proud that your Native American, and be proud of your culture and honoring the ancestors. That’s what we need to do.”
Julie LaBrake, the Southern California coordinator for the Longest Walk and a tribal member from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, said that she too is enjoying eight years of recovery because of her involvement in her culture.
“Truly believing in that spiritual life. That’s what helps me. I sweat, I go to ceremonies. That’s what keeps me clean and sober,” LaBrake said.
Wallace said the need for this walk stretches far beyond the tribal homelands of those in Southern California.
“Drugs (are) a problem everywhere and maybe there’s some kind of misconception that it’s just on the reservation,” he said. ”This is an opportunity to come up with strategies to at least try to slow it down, if not get rid of it in 20 to 30 years to come.”
Dennis Banks said he believes that the answer to end both drug abuse and domestic violence may be somewhere within our tribal communities themselves.
“We are going to be going through about 35 reservations. We’re looking for cultural and spiritual reasons, or programs, and solutions,” Banks said. “What would be the solution? I think we might find it talking to different tribal groups.”
In Southern California the walk has gone through Rincon, Pauma, Pala, Pechanga, and Soboba reservations. Walkers are expected to cross Morongo, Torres Martinez, Glamis, and Winterhaven in the forthcoming days. Then the journey will cross into Arizona.
For information and updates about the Longest Walk 5 visit:
Longest Walk – https://www.facebook.com/LongestWalk/
Longest Walk 5 SoCal Route – https://www.facebook.com/Longest-Walk-5-SoCal-Route-1699668596921621/
