Courier

Media Credit: Chi Hong Wong Aztlan Unearthed performs for MEChA's "Indigenous People's Day" event at the Galloway Plaza.

Two members of Peace & Dignity Journeys spoke of the organization's spiritual run that succeeds in unifying all indigenous tribes at MEChA's Indigenous People's Day event on Thursday.

Felicia Montes and Daisy Tonantzin from the organization explained how the seven-month run from Alaska to Panama every four years helps bring back unity within indigenous cultures throughout the route.

"[It is] a spiritual run," said Montes, a former PCC student and coordinator of Peace & Dignity Journeys.

"[Runners] pray every single day for the cultures and traditions to be alive, to be honored and recognized."

Montes elaborated by saying that all the runners will circle up to pray every morning and receive a blessing with sage from one of the natives in that community,

"We say a prayer for the land," said former runner Tonantzin. "Offerings are also to be made since we're all interconnected."

By the time running participants finish their run, the wooden staff they started with becomes much larger and intricately decorated with handmade offerings, such as feathers, made by the natives to represent the community the runner visited.

Montes and Tonantzin, began their speech by singing and shaking handmade rattles to a tribal song called "Viento, Agua, Tierra, Fuego," translated as "Wind, Water, Land, Fire."

The song is to honor the four elements of Earth, said Montes.

Aside from watching the speech, individuals also had the opportunity to purchase a compilation CD of 20 songs at the organization's booth. Each song represents an indigenous nation.

The CD includes famous Aztecan recording artists such as Lila Downs and John Trudell, former chairman of the American Indian Movement, along with other reggae, hip-hop and pow-wow artists.

An Aztecan group called Aztlan Unearthed, also known as Aztlan Underground when playing metal music, performed the second half of the event.

"Our historical perspective needs to be heard," said group member Raul Herrera.

Natural instruments were used during the performance such as conk and turtle shells, cedar and clay flutes, rattles called chachayoates, translated as "seeds of joy," and much more.

This event opened and closed with members of MEChA clapping simultaneously to signify their unity.

A crowd of about 40 people came to witness this event at Galloway Plaza.

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