Two Row Wampum Renewal Peace Walk

Two Row Wampum Renewal Peace Walk
July 27 – August 10, 2013
Rensselaer, NY  to United Nations, New York, NY

The Two Row Wampum Belt is the symbolic record of the first agreement between the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Europeans on Turtle Island/North America. 2013 marks the 400th anniversary of this first covenant, which forms the basis for the covenant chain of all subsequent treaty relationships made by the Haudenosaunee with settler governments on this continent. The agreement outlines a mutual, three-part commitment to friendship, peace between peoples, and living in parallel forever (as long as the grass is green, as long as the rivers flow downhill and as long as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west). Throughout the years, the Haudenosaunee have sought to honor this mutual vision and have increasingly emphasized that ecological stewardship is a fundamental prerequisite for this continuing friendship. We will walk to support the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign’s Symbolic Enactment, a two week paddling journey and related events that will draw thousands of people to the Hudson River to learn and be inspired to create an equitable and sustainable future for all in the Hudson Valley and beyond. With each step we will strive to transform our relationship to the river and all parts of the natural world, incorporating a sense of historic responsibility for the environment and justice for the original inhabitants of this land.

Walk Schedule (subject to change)
7/27 (Saturday): Opening Fest, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY (10 am- 5 pm)
7/28 (Sunday): Rensselaer to Schodack
7/29 (Monday): Schodack to Coxsackie
7/30 (Tuesday): Coxsackie to Catskill
7/31 (Wednesday): Catskill to Ulster Landing
8/1 (Thursday): Ulster Landing to Norrie Park
8/2 (Friday): Norrie Park to Poughkeepsie
8/3 (Saturday): Poughkeepsie to Beacon
8/4 (Sunday): Beacon to Cold Spring
8/5 (Monday): Cold Spring to Stony Point
8/6 (Tuesday): Stony Point to Croton
8/7 (Wednesday): Croton to Piermont
8/8 (Thursday): Piermont to Inwood Hill
8/9 (Friday): Inwood Hill to Pier 96 (Manhattan); join the paddlers to march from Pier 96 to United Nations
8/10 (Saturday): Festival in New York City

We will walk a total of about 160 miles, typically walking 13-15 miles per day. We will begin walking around 8:30 or 9:00 am every morning, and finish around 4:30 pm. Because the canoes will be travelling according to the tides, they will depart at a different time each day, but we will meet them at the end of each day. All are welcome to join the walk at any point for any length of time. The walk will be free of drugs, alcohol, and weapons. Walkers who plan to join for more than one day should bring a tent and a sleeping bag, and their own plate and utensils.

Because we are walking in support of the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign, the situation with cost is different than most Nipponzan Myohoji Japanese Buddhist Order walks. For the Two Row Campaign there is a cost of $30 per day to cover costs of food, camping, support vehicles, etc. Walkers are asked to contribute to those costs as you are able. All contributions can be made to Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (see contact information below).

For more information before the walk contact Jun San at the Grafton Peace Pagoda (518-658-9301); during the walk
contact Jules Orkin (201-566-8403). For more information about the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign contact
Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation/Syracuse Peace Council (315-701-1592).   www.honorthetworow.org