TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
My Experience of the “Run to the Rogue”
by Jessica _. Werth
I marched into the pow-wow arena
carrying the tribal staff, for my 57,h mile, with
sweat dripping from my fatigued body.
Throughout the 247 miles, this was the most
memorable mile of all. The final leg of our
goal, marching back to the piece of land that
had been taken from our ancestors.
On that glistening afternoon, one look
between my grandmother and myself made
me conscience of who I really was. It was
this look that ignited an unbreakable bond
between us. She was proud of me not only
for my participation in this historical event,
but for the grasp of knowledge I experienced
throughout the three days of our
re-enactment of our “Trail of Tears.”
Looking at her, I could see the map of
our ancestors’ struggle for independence
and recognition. Her eyes reflected her pride
in me and her belief in my generation’s clear
understanding of what it means to be Native
American. Until this moment, I had always
known I was Native American, but my
heritage was more than a mere “label.” I now
know just how special I am. I am a member
of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz.
I am Shasta.
The “Run to the Rogue” had been
advertised throughout the community that
we, as a tribe, were going to re-enact the
forceful removal of our ancestors. Reluctant
at first, I at the last moment chose to
participate. This decision was one of the
most important ones I have ever made.
After the first day of running, I coated
my sore muscles with mint-fresh Ben-Gay.
Empty water bottles lay at my feet as I
pondered how sweaty and smelly I was.
With each mile I ran, the stories from my
grandmother came back to me.
I finally understood what our people
went through. I knew they didn’t have
Ben-Gay to relieve their tired and sore
muscles and probably never had water on
hand to quench their thirst. I understood that
with each step they took, they left behind
their homelands. From that moment on, I not
only ran for myself, but also for the elders
and family who were not able to make
the journey.
Connecting with our past also brought
me together with other tribal members. We
now share a sacred bond of hardship and a
renewed relationship we might never have
had the chance to find.
8
We found that although we were
diverse, we had many similarities. We forgot
about our problems and just enjoyed the time
we shared with one another. We joked about
the triple coating of analgesicroR our sore
muscles and how we couldn’t sit or stand
for long without cramping. Those
conversations will be with us forever.
Two impressions uppermost in my
memory: The bond between my
grandrnQtfcjer and her sisters, and the feeling
of ancestors who fought for our survival.
This run to the past didn’t just shape my
feelings toward fellow tribal members, but
also linked me to the true, deeper meaning
of what our ancestors endured through “The
Trail of Tears.”
Run to the Rogue Set
for Sept. 14-16
Run to the Rogue is an annual 234-mile
relay run from Siletz, Ore., to a location near
Agness, Ore. This event commemorates the
forced removal of our Siletz Tribal ancestors
from their homeland in the Rogue River
country to Siletz in the mid-1800s. This is
the closest we can come to our ancestors’
experience
on
the
journey
from
their homeland.
The run will begin at approximately 8:30
a.m. on Sept. 14 at the Siletz Tribal
Community Center and end in the late
afternoon or early evening near Agness on
Sept. 16. All participants should attend an
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orientation session on Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
at the community center.
Transportation is provided along the
route for runners, elders, and volunteers.
Camping, meals, runners’ support, and
refreshments are provided.
Two- and three-bedroom apartments.
$50 discount offered on two-bedrooms to
Siletz Tribal members and employees of
Chinook Winds and the tribe. Stop by
365 NE 36,h St. and check out Newport’s
finest apartment community, or call
541-265-2663.
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If you would like to run, walk, or
volunteer to help in other areas during this
historical event, please call 1-800-922-1399
or 541 -444-2532 for an application.
This is a wellbriety event - no alcohol
or drugs.