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The weekly feature page of the University Daily Kansan March 22,1978
The Longest Walk
Bernard Dean King, a representative of the Ute Mountain tribe, Towloc, Colo., rests on his way up to Monarch pass which is over 12,000 feet. Some of the older members of the tribe had to wear oxygen masks to make it over the pass.
High above the snow-capped mountains an eagle slowly circles to the left looking for prey.
"Look up. Our winged brother is guiding our way to Washington," a voice shouts.
As the thirty walkers spot the eagle, war whooops fill the air.
The eagle swoops down for a closer look.
The walkers, most of them American Indians, are crossing the Rocky Mountains on their way to Washington, D.C., which is a popular destination that they consider anti-land legislation.
and said a prayer to Father Spirit before the journey began.
Chief Eagle Feather, who had open-heart surgery last fall, walked with the Indians until he became ill last week. He rides in a car now.
The Indians began their trek Feb. 10 from alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Their spiritual leader, Chief Eagle Fea, a Sioux, filled the sacred pipe
Chief Eagle Feather said the sacred pipe was as important to the Indian religion as Jesus Christ was to the Christian religion.
"We still have our Jesus Christ on earth," he said.
One of the coordinators of the march, called The Longest Walk, is Max Bear, one of the founders of the Native Indian Coalition.
Forced to camp wherever they can find a spot, this couple, Sonny Tailina and Hope Pushmathaha, Idabel, Oklahoma, found a parish in Montrose, Colorado.
Bear said the most potentially dangerous legislation in Congress was a bill introduced by Rep. Jack Cunningham, R-Wash., for the apprehension of the abortion
The drum and the pipe are the two important spiritual symbols of this walk. The pipe always leads the walkers, always oriented towards the east, it was filled at Alcatraz and will be smoked in Washington with Jimmy Carter. The drum is their music and symbol of their unity.
Photos by Randy Olson Story by Robert Beer
of all treaties with American Indians including the Alaskan Indians.
"If the U.S. can't uphold its original treaties, how do they expect to uphold the Panama Canal treaty?"
"The whole world is watching, even Russia, to see if the United States honors its treaties with the Indians," Bear said.
Bear said he saw the government as a big ship and the Indians as a small canoe.
"That ship is sinking but they're waving for us to join them," he said.
Bear, who wears a necklace made of beads from Indian necklaces worn during World Wars I and II and the Korean War, said the group had marched more than 1,000 miles in one month from Alcatraz to Grand Junction, Colo.
The marchers have endured cold, rain and snow, but they have also enjoyed bright, sunny days. At night they march in the community in communities along the way.
Although the march is intended to draw attention to the Indians' plight, some of the marchers are not Indians.
One such marcher is Molly Hansen,
17, West Coville, Calif., who said she
decided to walk with the Indians for
her mother he heard about them on
the radio.
However, after she studied the bills that are in Congress, she said she decided that at least one, a bill introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, and the late Sen. John McChellan, D-Ark, would control the rights of all Americans.
"My parents support me and it doesn't bother me that I'm not an Indian," she said.
She said the bill, SB 1437, would outlaw demonstrations and strikes against government installations.
At least four blacks are walking also, including a schooldrop doctor who said his school would give him the necessary credit to graduate if he marched.
The longest walk members range in age from a 10-month-old baby to a 70-year-old man. More than 80 tribes have served as guides or have sent their support, Bear said.
Bear said the march costs about $250
a day for food and gasoline. The money comes from donations.
According to Mitch Running Elk, the Longest Walk is to arrive in Pueblo, Colo., this weekend to hold a two-day ceremony.
"We expect to pick up some Sioux from the North and some Navajos from the Southwest," he said.
Typically, the walk begins in the mornings with a pipe ceremony, to ask the spirit for guidance. Then the walkers, usually from 20 to 30 of the group, begin their trek. They are followed by a walker who carries the sacred pipe.
According to Indian religion, the stem of the pipe must always be pointed east or the people will become confused, Bear said.
The marchers number about 150 now. Bear said, but their numbers are expected to increase as the march progresses eastward.
Menstruating women, called Moon Women, are kept away from the pipe because the Indians believe the women were there with the pipe's powers, Bear said.
The walkers, many suffering from colds and blisters, wait until they are relieved by another group. The walkers usually cover from 10 to 15 miles before
The people that are not walking ride in the bus or the Indians' half-dozen private cars and trucks that follow the procession.
they read. A canteen is passed throughout the group to relieve thirst.
Cars pass the group and their occupants yell out encouragement or give curious stares.
A Colorado Highway patrol car drives by and the loudspeaker on his car tells of road conditions ahead.
"We've got to win a few over like him," an Indian woman says, pointing to the patrolman.
"He's with us now but come back through here alone and see what he does," her companion said.
He said that he had heard of Indians, traveling alone, who were subjected to police harrassment.
The walkers continue in silence until they pass the carcass of a deer, apparently killed by a passing vehicle.
"Kiyeeee," an Indian brave wails as he passes the animal.
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