February 18, 2022
February 17, 2022
O'odham Stronghold: Prayer Run Phoenix to Oak Flat
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| O'odham Stronghold Runners in Phoenix today, Thursday, Feb. 17, 9 am, at Van Buren and 48th St. The first rest stop is Papago Park. Photo by Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham. Running for the Ancestors, Running for the Apache Stronghold. In Phoenix, runners are demanding a halt to the excavation of hundreds of Hohokam graves that are being carelessly and recklessly excavated for a housing project. The Phoenix New Times reports there are 1,000 structures and about 700 graves of O'odham ancestors at the site in central Phoenix. Update: O'odham Way of Life does not include digging up human remains, by Ofelia Rivas, Tohono O'odham elder |
Run for the Ancestors. Run for the Stronghold.
Prayer Run to Oak Flat
By Marina Thomas - Running Deer
Akimel O’odham
oodhamstronghold@gmail.com
We ran in from the West, nearly 90 miles from the Salt and Gila River confluence -- a colorful group of both indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, coming together to pray for the protection of the land and water.
On March 1, 2021, the day after the closing ceremony, the Biden Administration had rescinded the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), blocking a land transfer from the US Forest Service to Resolution Copper, temporarily halting the mining project.
Just days after the relieving news, one of the runners, whom I’d never met prior, reached out to notify me of the discovery of human remains that were being excavated in a current construction zone in her neighborhood.
The run begins at 401 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85006 on Feb. 17, 2022.
Share the love, please help organizers provide water and nutritious snacks.
Just days after the relieving news, one of the runners, whom I’d never met prior, reached out to notify me of the discovery of human remains that were being excavated in a current construction zone in her neighborhood.
I’d go on to research about the excavation, learning that the City of Phoenix began excavating an ancient city that archeologists refer to as LA CIUDAD, clearing ground for a new “holistic” living community.
In the process of this excavation, hundreds of Hohokam remains were being unearthed along with the homes, tools, and other remnants of what true holistic living looked like in the Sonoran Desert.
While we, the descendants of these ancestors, learned of the excavation and reached out to the city to halt the project, we were ignored and the project moved forward.
As of today, over one thousand remains have been removed and more excavation is required for the continued development for the upcoming Edison Eastlake Community.
This year, the run to Oak Flat from the West will start at the desecration site of our ancestors in Phoenix.
This year, the run to Oak Flat from the West will start at the desecration site of our ancestors in Phoenix.
As part of Resolution Copper’s mining project, it is planned that the waste tailing site to hold over 1.3 billion tons of toxic waste will be contained within the mountain's tributaries -- where our ancestors also rest. It is our responsibility, as descendants of these incredible human beings who lived and worked harmoniously with the Earth, to do everything in our power to protect who we are and where we come from.
This year, we will run to Oak Flat from start to finish with the ancestors in our prayer.
The run begins at 401 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85006 on Feb. 17, 2022.
Share the love, please help organizers provide water and nutritious snacks.
Hundreds of Hohokam graves are now being recklessly excavated
In the news: Phoenix New Times reports that there are about 1,000 structures and about 700 graves here in this Hohokam village.
Contact:
By Marina Thomas - Running Deer
Akimel O’odham
oodhamstronghold@gmail.com
Running in from the north to Oak Flat: Brophy Native American Club in Flagstaff is off and running
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| By Russ McSpadden on Twitter. |
By Russ McSpadden on Twitter: "The students of the Brophy Native American Club have begun their 188-mile run to Oak Flat from Flagstaff at the base of the San Francisco peaks. By the end of the day, they will drop off the Mogollon Rim to the East Verde River." Earlier, Russ said, "I'll be joining the students of the Brophy Native American Club as they run 188 miles from Flagstaff to Oak Flat starting Thursday. The run is a prayer & a protest. You can meet them to march the last 4 miles Saturday at 10 am at the Magma Ave Trail Head in Superior." Today's video on Twitter. https://twitter.com/i/status/1494319816370393101
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| "Just a little chilly out here." Photo credit Brophy Native American Club of Flagstaff, Arizona. Running to the Apache Stronghold at Oak Flat on Thursday. |
Youth for Oak Flat: Spiritual Run in Defense of the Sacred
Watch video below
February 16, 2022
8th Annual Oak Flat March/Run Feb. 17 -- 20, 2022
.  Oak Flat Protectors! The Apache Stronghold continues the fight to protect Chi'chil Bildagoteel (Oak Flat). Each day that Rio Tinto does not build a copper mine is a victory. This Thursday morning, a delegation from the federal government will be arriving to meet with officials from the San Carlos Apache Tribe to discuss the proposed destruction of sacred land. The Stronghold will meet with them separately, to ensure the religious and spiritual impacts are included in their understanding of the injustice. Please send your prayers for this important meeting. The Apache Stronghold will host the 8th Annual Oak Flat Run/Walk, February 17-20. Every year, we walk the 45 miles from San Carlos up to Oak Flat over several days. We are led with ceremony and prayer as we walk together in recognition of our responsibility to this earth and Creator. Please read on for details and be in touch with questions, particularly if you have not attended previously. All are welcome. Please share with your friends and family. |
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