American Indians’ Peace Run Pauses Here

American Indians running across the continent paused in Seal Beach on Saturday to promote peace and unity and to recall their heritage in the New World before Columbus.

“The run says to spread the word and let them know that Native Americans are very much here and alive,” said Manuel Rocha, a spiritual leader of the Gabrielino tribe of Southern California. “Our traditions have not changed and they have not died.”

The event marked another leg in a 15,000-mile journey that began in Alaska in May with 200 runners heading toward a final destination of Mexico City. The project is called the Peace and Dignity Journeys of 1992.

California is home to more than 198,155 American Indians, according to census figures. Nearly 13,000 reside in Orange County and just less than 50,000 in Los Angeles County.

More than two dozen American Indians took part in the Orange County stretch of the journey. Many carried spiritual and medicine staffs from tribes throughout the state.

Runner Margarita Fernandez, 19, lead the group holding high the chief’s staff of the Gabrielino tribe. “I had the honor of carrying it because I am a woman,” she said.

The current chief of the Gabrielino tribe, Vera Rocha, performed an invocation for peace and harmony.

“The new nation is coming up, and we have to let them know we can’t carry on with years and years of ignorance,” Rocha said. “The Columbus Day celebrations in a way have made us aware of what our past was, and we don’t need that kind of future.”

The runners were met by dozens of spectators, including Rick and Linda Aguirre of Cowan Heights and their three children.

“We brought our children so they can realize that Indian groups have a right to make their voices known,” said Linda Aguirre, a teacher. “Giving all the recognition to Columbus is not correct.”

Added her husband: “Just from the European point of view, when they label it a discovery, that’s pejorative. It’s claiming that there was a group of people here that didn’t mean anything.”

For runner Hector Jimanez, the event brought people together.

“For me, this isn’t spiritual per se, but social. I like the social impact of getting together with my native brothers,” Jimanez said.

“Everybody that is taking part, they all have some kind of indigenous blood. That is the common bond.”