Since the beginning, Native Peoples lived a life of being in harmony with all that surrounds us. It is a belief that all humankind are related to each other. Each has a purpose, spirit and sacredness. It is an understanding with the Great Spirit or Creator that we will follow these ways. And in this understanding we believe we are related to all other living species.

And Americans realized that native people are still here, that they have a moral standing, a legal standing.

The Sun, Moon and Stars are there to guide us.

To be selected was an honor, and in respect of the family member chosen to run, families held feasts and gave away prized beaver coats, quilled tobacco bags and buffalo hides.

In 1990 we ran across Europe through 13 countries and covering 7,130 miles.

It also called upon traditional people in the Four Directions to strengthen the healing ceremonies and asked people to heed the warnings of Mother Earth.

When you have a spiritual foundation, you look at poverty differently then.