“Reviving our Native Spirit”

Red Lake youth and others circumnavigate Lower Red Lake

By Michael Meuers
Red Lake Public Relations

The Red Lake Chemical Health Program with the encouragement of Red Lake Tribal Chairman Floyd Jourdain, sponsored a Spiritual Run that  circumnavigated Lower Red Lake on Wednesday and Thursday June 27 and 28, 2007.  The event, meant to teach and remind youth and others of their Native culture, began at the Narrows on the west side of Lower Red Lake...less than a mile over water...to Ponemah Point, the ultimate destination for Thursday evening after a relay run of nearly 100 miles.  

A group of youth and adults, began on Tuesday afternoon traveling to the Narrows to camp out, participate in a “sweat”, and to learn about nature, culture, and history of Red Lake Nation.  The “sweat”, held in a blanket covered waganigon or wigwam at the narrows, was a time for quiet reflection and a time to ask the Great Spirit for protection and guidance.  Later story telling ensued around a large campfire.  The next morning they would be joined by many others to begin the run from the Narrows that would include Chairman Jourdain.

The event is “more than just a run”, said Jourdain, “but an opportunity to talk and teach our young people about our traditional way of life, our culture, and to bring awareness to the old traditions”.  “We are losing our language”, said Jourdain, “and with the loss of language, comes the loss of culture.  We must do what we can to teach our young people and others of these things”.  Jourdain went on to say that we do not want our youth to think about problems, but good times.

A relay of a quarter to a third mile began on a chilly Wednesday morning.  Each runner or runners had support people to shuttle them, leapfrogging a mile or two down the road to rest for the next leg of the run.  Friends or relatives followed the runners closely for support and protection from cars on the highway.  The group of runners also ran through various neighborhoods in each community to bring a more forceful message.  Runners traveled over 40 miles by the time the group reached the Red Lake pow-wow grounds about 7 PM, for dinner and greatly deserved rest.

Many people of all ages participated.  The youngest was eight-year old Taylar Lightfeather.  The oldest was Stephanie Cobenais, (who would not tell us her age, but did confirm that she was the oldest) ran six or seven “legs” each day.  Cobenais said when questioned on her energy, “if this eight-year old girl can do it, so can I”.

Nearly always, at least two runners ran each relay with each carrying a staff.  One staff made of diamond willow, a gift to Jourdain, has two eagle feathers and has traveled many miles around the country.  It includes three hawk feathers, which Jourdain explained he added to represent his three sons.  The other carried staff had a fork at the top with ornate carving and two feathers at the tip of each fork.  According to Chemical Health program employee Tom Barrett, it was a gift to the much applauded Young Dreams Dance Troupe.  “I think it appropriate that this staff be resurrected for such an event to teach our young people”, said Barrett.  

Thursday morning brought a warmer day and more participants.  The runners began about 10 AM in order to reach Ponemah Point, having circled Lower Red Lake, by early evening.  Upon their arrival at the Point, and having run nearly 100 miles, there was felt a great sense of accomplishment.  The group then offered tobacco at the Sacred Lake, after being told by a spiritual elder to “be good to one another”.   The group then returned to the Ponemah pow-wow grounds for another great supper, a well deserved rest, to dream of great memories, and a job well done.