PORT TOWNSEND — Runners in a 6,000 mile journey from Alaska to Panama to promote saving the earth for future generations are crossing the North Olympic Peninsula.
The group running in the Peace and Dignity Journey stopped off in Port Townsend on Friday and plans to stay with the Makah in Neah Bay on Friday, the Quileute in La Push on Saturday and visit Queets on Sunday and Quinault next Monday.
“We have the opportunity to thank the Creator for the opportunity to generate positive energy and promote healing in the world,” said Jose Cortez, who is participating in the entire 6,000 mile run, as he rested in Port Townsend.
The Peace and Dignity Journeys, begun in 1992, are ceremonial runs conducted every four years to connect indigenous communities, according to the website for the Texas Peace and Dignity Journey, part of the group running from the central United States.
The run began May 1 in Chickaloon, Alaska. Runners expect to reach Panama on Nov. 14 for a multi-day celebration.
Another group is heading north to Panama from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.
Cortez is part of the western U.S. group. Another group is running from the eastern part of the nation.
The three groups will meet at the Yaqui Nation in northern Mexico and travel together to Panama, according to spokesman Enrique Lopez.
Lopez said he didn’t know how many runners will go the distance but expects “thousands of people from all nations” to participate in the celebration.
Cortez is one of nine runners in this stage of the Peace and Dignity Journey, which is intended to preserve the world “for our children’s children’s children’s children” according to Doug Milholland, who organized the Port Townsend stop.
This year’s journey is dedicated to seeds, according to the Texas website at www.txpeaceanddignity.com/.
Runners alternate, one at a time, while the rest of the group members ride in two vans.
Each runner has a daily goal for miles to run in each stretch.
Oftentimes people get out of the lead van for prayers and are picked up by those following.
Lopez said the vans need mechanical work and they are holding on-site fundraisers for that purpose.
Before reaching Port Townsend, the group stopped in Swinomish and Coupeville.
Cortez, 68, retired from a public relations job six years ago and lives in Phoenix, Ariz.
“To reach a higher level of spirituality you need to make some kind of sacrifice to the Creator,” he said.
“People ask me why I am running at this age. It is because I really want to be closer to the Creator.”
Milholland said he learned about the Peace and Dignity Journey last week from activist Julia Cochrane, and called to offer help.
The group said they needed food and lodging, so he set them up at Fort Worden State Park and recruited his wife, Nancy Milholland, to provide a locally grown breakfast.
He said their message is in tune with his own beliefs.
“The big issues we face are not being properly addressed,” he said.
“Global warming is important, along with the dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power. Technology has put us into a harsh noose around our collective necks.”
For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-peacedignity.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
