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July 2008 |
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PDN photos by David Deaton 
They came to town by the hundreds! People from all around LeFlore County made the trip to downtown Poteau for the Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Celebration. There were rides, foods, face painting and water slides. The day ended with the giant fireworks display at dusk. Children of all ages enjoyed the day. Above, Killion Barnes is getting a little shut-eye on B.J. Barnes’ shoulder after having enjoyed the full day to get ready for the fireworks. 
This little cutie enjoyed the ride her dad gave her on one of the water slides. All of the rides for the children were free.
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Longest Walk 2 rests in Poteau |
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Tuesday, 13 May 2008 |
By David Deaton, News Reporter - Nearly 80 walkers pitched their tents for a two-night stay in Poteau while heading east for the Longest Walk 2. The first Longest Walk took place in 1978 as a way to educate the world on the culture of the American Indian. The longest walk is also an Indian spiritual walk as well as a historical walk to inform the nation of the way the American Indian was treated.Walkers began their trek in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 11 and will end in Washington, D.C. on or around July 11..
Walkers are of all ages with the oldest being 86 and the youngest at eight months old.Several different Indian tribes are represented in the walk and there are also non-Indian participants. Anyone who wants to save the earth and make their voice heard before Congress may join in on the walk. This year marks the 30th anniversary since the first walk. Participants have a choice between a northern or a southern route.Each route will cover more than 8,000 miles and takes five months to complete.The walkers are from all walks of life and represent over 20 nations. Two Buddhist Monks, 30 Japanese men and women, Canadian and Alaskans, and a family from Hawaii are among some of the walkers. Adam Piekanski of Poland came to America especially to be a part of the Longest Walk 2. "Every step I take in praye. I love the historical event and what it represents," said Piekanski.Johanna, a walker from Switzerland said, "I was looking for a way to voice my opinion about the earth and prayed for guidance. I was happy with the way the Native Americans are spiritually and I wanted a healing power from the earth to cleanse me."According to Karl Redhorse, another walker, the Walk is to make Congress aware of the concerns and issues that every race faces."We rely on the earth for natural resources that are being polluted," said Redhorse.Shanti, a walker from Santa Cruze, Calif., said, "I love the history. There are 76 different tribes in Oklahoma. Wach has a very unique culture and heritage."Environmental issues are very important to the walkers. They pick up trash along the roadways as they walk, and carry their own eating utensils, plates and cups.Navajo Indian History runs deep within walkers. Ululaine Hardy and Stanley Perry from Tuba City, Ariz., relayed the story of how the desert arrived on the earth: Mother Earth and Father Sky had a fight. The earth was not respectful for the land, not praying and even thinking of her.So Mother Earth told Father Sky to take his rags and leave. He did. And when he did, it stopped raining and the desert came.Then the birth of a new generation was born and they learned to respect the land. Mother Earth then had stretch marks. Mother Earth then asked her brother, the moon, to look for Father Sky. Father Sky then revealed his rags (clouds) and then it began to rain and the mother's veins started flowing again. But now pollution, through energy plants, oil refineries uranium mines and coal have contaminated Mother Earth again causing global warming.”This, they say, is the reason for the Longest Walk 2. "We have a choice to walk. In 1864 the Navajo Indians were forced off their land and were taken to Fort Summer, N.M. The Longest Walk 2 is also in honor of them and to be a voice for the American Indian in Washington, D.C.," said Hardy.Perry said, " I am walking for forgiveness, and asking that the government give equal treatment. I want to give back and hope that this walk doesn't offend anyone. If it does then I am sorry."The walkers have been camped out in front of the Rubin White Clinic in Poteau and are scheduled to start again today.Antlers native Jerry Williams, now living in Mississippi, is the only Choctaw Indian participating in the walk. "We absolutely love the hospitality that the people here have given us," Williams said. "The Choctaw Travel Plaza allowed all the walkers to order whatever we wanted for dinner and it was the best food some have eaten in weeks."The next stop for the Longest Walk 2 will be in Broken Bow before heading to Texas and then to New Orleans, La
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 May 2008 )
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