Longest Walk 2 passes through Oklahoma

A large congregation of peaceful activists traversed the state on foot in early May on their way to Washington, D.C. as participants in the Longest Walk 2, a trans-continental walk for environmental protection and Native American rights.

“The Longest Walk is an Indian spiritual walk, a historical walk; and it is a walk for educational awareness to the American and the world communities about the concerns of American Indian people,” said American Indian Movement Co-founder Dennis J. Banks. “From Alcatraz Island to Washington, D.C., through the elements of the seasons, we shall walk; nothing shall deter us from completing our mission: All Life is Sacred, Protect Mother Earth.”

The Longest Walk 2 marks the 30th anniversary of the original Longest Walk of 1978 that resulted in historic changes for Native Americans. During the 1978 Longest Walk, thousands converged on Washington, D.C. in an effort that defeated 11 pieces of legislation in Congress that would have abrogated Native American Treaties. As a result of the 1978 Walk, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978) was passed.

The Longest Walk 2 is comprised of two routes. The northern route travels the original route of 1978 across 11 states and 3,600 miles. The southern route follows the 2006 Sacred Run route across 13 states and 4,400 miles. Both routes visit sacred sites across the Nation and promote educational awareness for sacred sites protection and preservation. In addition, the southern route has launched the Clean Up Mother Earth Campaign, where Longest Walk participants will work together to clean up U.S. highways and roads by collecting debris found along the Longest Walk route.

Participants in the Longest Walk 2 – southern route arrived in Oklahoma on May 3. They were welcomed by the communities of Canton, Kingfisher, Perkins, Tulsa, Tahlequah, Sallisaw, Poteau, Octavia and Broken Bow during their two week trek across the state.

The Longest Walk 2 is an Indigenous Peoples walk and is open to people of all nations and cultures. Everyone is invited to join in and participate in the walk at any point in time on either route, for any length of the route. It is a grassroots based effort supported by donations. The biggest needs are food, gas and housing. Gas cards and gift certificates are also accepted. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information on The Longest Walk 2, visit www.longestwalk.org.