Native American elders are telling us that we best Wake Up! We must realize that there is no more time to wait. If we do not take action now, the legacy to our children will be a world that will not sustain life.

Air pollution in Atlanta is responsible for increases in respiratory illness and other related health issues. Water pollution and shortages are a continuing issue for the United States, Georgia and the world. This is not new information. So who is taking action to address nature’s cry for help? Are we so desensitized to all our media that we are numb to to the reality of what we have created?

A local group brought together by Gary Adler FourStar is focusing awareness locally for global responsibility to the natural world. They are creating a prayerful walk for healing and blessing of the Chattahoochee River. This walk will extend over ten days starting  May 30, 2008 through June 10th.

Gary is CEO of the Many Horses Foundation, he is recognized as a ceremonial leader, spiritual advisor, healer and teacher conducting workshops from the Earth peoples perspective. “As we begin this walk,” says Gary, “ it will be our footsteps that make our prayers, from the headwaters of the Chattahoochee down to the State Capital in Atlanta. “ One can be awake or asleep, you only have those choices. But if you’re asleep you will only keep doing to the Earth what you are dong now, which is taking and hurting and causing harm.”  But, Gary says, “As we awaken, people can begin to realize that our walking is our active prayer and that our songs are our talking, and that for us,song is the highest form of prayer.

Every church, every temple every people, uses songs to the Most High, which is a way of singing to the Creator. The Creator is a mystery, none of us knows who or what the Creator is but everyone of us was given the same creation. The Creator makes nothing dead and its our job to honor the Earth and respect it as part of creation.”

Gary told me recently. “Robertjohn Knapp, who is a Seneca/Ohlone elder from California, dreamed this walk. In 1998 he had the vision and the dream that the trees were walking with him to unite and bring the people together. He started and inspired the walk in Italy, which walked the Trevere River and ended in Rome.

“This walk is a direct result of those previous walks.  Life begins with water. Start your thanksgiving to the spirit of water, say thank you to the spirit of the trees, to the rocks and to the Earth. By saying thank you we are honoring and showing love to the Creator. We’re responsible to take care of the Creation and if we take care of the creation it will continue to take care of us.

The elders have told me that most of our problems are the result of us no longer caring for the Earth and the natural world. When you stop caring for somebody they withdraw from you, so I think the natural world is withdrawing from humanity.

Everyone knows the power of the water, but the power of the water is receding. Every time you take a breath, the water of your out breath carries your thoughts. Good intentions are not enough. You have to have the good heart and a clear mind and focus your thoughts. If we walk on the Earth in a sacred manner then every day your footstep on the Earth should be a thank you. Let your footsteps be your prayers.

I am a messenger, I am not important but the message is. We have many elders coming from many nations to walk who have knowledge and ancient wisdom. I am asking you to come together as a people.

Come to walk with us! Take action! Good intentions are not enough. You have to have the good heart and a clear mind and focused attention. We can walk on the Earth in a sacred manner; We walk for water, we walk for life.”

Musical artists and performers as well as Dr. Masaru Emoto, pioneer Japanese researcher and authorof best selling books including The Hidden Messages in Water and whose work was featured in the film What the Bleep do We Know ? will join the walkers at the conclusion of the walk.  Georgia District five’s Senator Curt Thompson has sponsored a Senate resolution supporting the walk and is attaining the permit for the culminating rally at the Georgia State capital in Atlanta on June 9th followed by a talk by Dr.Emoto along with important Native Elders on the June 10th. 

Walk for the Water will be featured at the Alive Expo April 26 & 27. Contact Debby@ 678-488-2575 for more information or WalkForTheWater.org.
Katherine Brown is an ordained minister and freelance writer and will be performing with Women of Heart Native American drumming group during the walk.at Lake Lanier Islands Resort on June 4th.