The Longest Walk 2 commemorates the 30th anniversary of the original longest walk while bringing attention to the environmental disharmony of Mother Earth and sacred site issues.
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by Mari Villaluna/Indigenous Peoples Media Project I remember his stories. I remember her stories. I remember my matriarchal stories. I remember my ancestors' stories. I remember the story about Lumang Simbahan (Old Church) in Nasugbu, Batangas. One of my female ancestors forgot her rosary to bring to the Spanish Catholic church that they forced upon my ancestors, and walked back with all her relatives to retrieve the rosary. When they returned to the church, the Spanish burned down more than half of the population inside. A Spanish census said that only 1,000 Tagalogs lived there. Less than 500 Tagalogs survived this attack on their existence. Still to this day, every Friday, people go and light candles and pray upon this sacred site to always remember our ancestors. One of my names is rosary to always remember how my ancestors survived no matter what the colonizers did. I carry this and many other stories with me. In remembering these stories about my Iroquois and Tagalog ancestors, I have made a decision to walk on the Longest Walk 2. Many reasons have to do with helping, organizing, and doing media for the walk. The main reason is for my descendants. My ancestors were motivated to spark revolution with their oppressors, to make treaties, or to continue their traditional ways because of their descendants. They faced many forced walks. They were removed from their land. They knew they had to figure out and organize better ways for their future generations. I must learn the lessons my ancestors taught so that seven generations from now these stories will continue to be passed down. The Longest Walk 2 is the 30 year anniversary of a Native American Rights march that happened thirty years ago in 1978. The walk starts in San Francisco, CA and will end on July 11, 2008 in Washington D.C. This walk will call attention to the issues of environmental protection of Mother Earth, and sacred sites. From February 9-12, 2008 in the San Francisco Bay Area and at D-Q University there will be events surrounding the Longest Walk 2. D-Q University is the home of the Longest Walk, and is the only off-reservation tribal college in the nation. On Monday, February 11, 2008 the Longest Walk will be holding a sunrise ceremony at Alcatraz Island which will be the start of the Longest Walk 2. In remembering all these stories, I will pass on these new stories that are being created. From when I was little I was told by my father an Iroquois belief, which is always to consider about the impact of the decisions you make on the next seven generations. In seven generations from now, I hope the same stories are being passed down, and that my descendants can say "My ancestors walked on the Longest Walk 2." |