Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Please let everyone know that they are not expected to walk the entire 507 miles. If they wish to, that is fine, but they can join us at points along the way and walk a few steps, a quarter mile, or whatever they feel they wish to do.

Everyone can carry the bundle and pray while walking with it for healing for loved ones and receive a healing. Families and communities can take relays walking if they wish. All are welcome to walk in their own way.

We will be leaving Lakota Homes in Rapid City, walking North and going to Bear Butte, then to Devils Tower, then along the road near Lame Deer. At each sacred site we will offer special prayer ceremonies for the world.

A detailed map will be sent out soon giving our exact route.

We need those along the route who wish to help, to provide feed and hay for our horses, hot food for our people, medical help for our people and are welcome to bring whatever they wish.

We are trusting in Spirit to touch the hearts of the world to come forward and do what they are given to do.

We did send notification to the National Park Service today that we are coming on a Spiritual walk and that we come in peace and prayer.

We have to obtain vaccination certificates and legal papers for our horses to cross state lines, which we are attempting now to do. If anyone knows of a veterinarian in South Dakota who would be willing to check our horses and issue the certificates as a gift, it would be much appreciated. The test cost $35 per horse, money which we do not have.

If you have family who would like to walk in memory and honor of your ancestors, clan or nation, they are welcome to come.

We once had an elder who could only walk four steps due to the pain of his disease, on a sacred run, but he came to do that sacrifice in honor of his ancestors. We welcome elders who wish to take a few steps to make their prayer for mankind and will have others there to help them.

We will have a prayer meeting and feast at the Oyate Center in Lakota Homes, Saturday all day, Feb. 6. All are welcome to come and pray, sing and eat. We will leave at dawn on the morning of Feb. 7th.

We ask the People of the world for their prayers as we walk and we carry the staff and the buffalo pipe for all colors of people, for all of mankind.

Mitakuye Oyasin,

Chief Joseph Chasing Horse

Joseph Chasing Horse
c/o PO Box 8392
Rapid City, SD 57709

"Every struggle, whether won or lost, strengthens us for the next to come. It is not good for people to have an easy life. They become weak and inefficient when they cease to struggle. Some need a series of defeats before developing the strength and courage to win a victory." Victorio, Mimbres Apache

• Feb. 6 Gathering at Oyate Center, Rapid City 4:00 p.m.
• Feb. 7 Leave Lakota Homes/Paha Sapa Daybreak Arrive Bear Butte, SD
• Feb. 8 Leave Bear Butte SD Arrive Belle Fouche, SD
• Feb. 9 Leave Belle Fouche Arrive Alzada, Mt. apx. 30 miles
• Feb. 10 Leave Alzada Mt Arrive Hammond/Boyes, Mt. 28 miles
• Feb. 11 Leave Hammond/Boyes, Mt. Arrive Broadus, Mt. 20 miles
• Feb. 12 Leave Broadus, Mt. Arrive Ashland, Mt. 41 miles
• Feb. 13 Restday
• Feb. 14 Leave Ashland Mt. Arrive Lamedeer Mt. 41 miles
• Feb. 15 Leave Lamedeer Mt. Arrive Busby Mt. 16 miles
• Feb. 16 Leave Busby Mt. Arrive Crow Agency, Mt. 25 miles
• Feb. 17 Restday
• Feb. 18 Leave Crow Agency, Mt. Arrive St. Xavier, Mt. 32 miles
• Feb. 19 Leave St. Xavier, Mt. Arrive Pryor, Mt. 41 miles
• Feb. 20 Leave Pryor Mt. Arrive Laurel Mt. 35 miles
• Feb. 21 Restday
• Feb. 22 Leave Laurel, Mt. Arrive Columbus Mt. 25 miles
• Feb. 23 Leave Columbus, Mt. Arrive Big Timber, Mt. 41 miles
• Feb. 24 Leave Big Timber, Mt. Arrive Livingston, Mt. 43 miles
• Feb. 25 Restday
• Feb. 26 Leave Livingston, Mt. Arrive Emigrant Mt. 22 miles
• Feb. 27 Leave Emigrant, Mt. Arrive Gardiner, Mt. 32 miles