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On the evening of the 19th the walkers had the great honor of being dinner guests with the people of the Lummi Nation. Ken Cooper, Lummi Shaman and musician, welcomed us wearing a kata he had received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama when He visited Seattle in 1993.

"I welcome you here to our home. This traditional style long house is the womb of our people, our mother house. It is only about two years old this home, and this house has already echoed many things. Now you will echo here, too.

Our old people told us that one day all people are going to come together. Sisters and brothers from all over the world. I'd like to sing a song. It's a prayer that one day you'll go back home to where you are supposed to be, and one day the Dalai Lama will return. We, too, are outcasts in our own land. They've taken all our stuff away from us same like they've done in Tibet, but we've maintained our reservation and we are getting stronger here. Our Council has helped us in our battles. I pray that you are strong for your battle and while you are walking.

I hope and pray that whenever you go back to where you come from that you'll find your home is safe and you'll find your family still in tact and that nothing has happened while you've been gone. It's a hard road that we have to walk on. In this day and age we have to walk with one foot in both worlds. We have to walk in the way of the white man as well as trying to hold on to our past. I hope and pray that your young people will carry on your ways. Carry on your tradition. Culture can change, but when your tradition changes you're in trouble."

Ani Wangmo la presented katas to the elders and the other Lummi people who sang songs in honor of our visit. She also presented an image of Buddha to the Lummi people which was recieved by Darrell Hillaire. "Being here I feel like I'm back at home in Tibet," Ani la said. "Everybody here seem similar to our Tibetan people and our custom and culture. The marchers, we would like to give a present. This Buddha taught us the way to be compassionate. The main teaching of the Buddha is compassion for other people not ourselves. Try to help people who are suffering and try to teach people to be more peaceful and compassionate. He teaches nonviolence, too. The Dalai Lama we think of as the spiritual leader from this Buddha.

I came to this walk to help support my country and help American people to support the cause of Tibet. You just sang a traditional song, and to me it really meant a lot. We, also, have a history and culture and dance that goes back 2000 years. Since China invaded Tibet they have destroyed almost all the culture. Tibetan people in Tibet still try to preserve the culture and also the people in exile."

When ever we receive something we like to honor it. Like with this silk, it's very honorable to have. I would like to give something back. I'd like to give a part of myself. I make songs with my drum and I play a cedar flute. That's how I got to meet the Dalai Lama because of my drum and my flute, and because I have a loud voice. So I'd like to give you my music. I'm very honored as well as my brothers here. I'd also like to give you something you all can take home with you. Some food for thought. We're sitting here in a cedar house. Some of these trees are up to one thousand years old. We had the honor of carving the corner poles. The four directions. Our old people said we have a white Grandmother who lives in the North. We have a yellow Grandmother who lives in the East. We have a black Grandmother who lives in the South, and a red Grandmother in the West. So we honor all four races. We know that we are all related."

The next day the walk carried a bittersweet feeling for all the marchers. Excitement and anticipation filled us knowing that today we would reach the Canadian border, but also with us, a twinge of sadness. Three walkers who have been with us from the start have been unable to acquire the necessary papers to cross into Canada. Today we will have to say good-bye.

The Peace Arch marks the border between the USA and Canada. Inside the arch is a wrought iron gate - open. Inscribed on the wall inside reads: May these gates never be closed.

Lakpa spoke in our prayer circle and said, "I hope that someday there will be a gate like this at the border between Tibet and Inner Mongolia that also says, 'May these gates never be closed.'

ORIES FROM THE MARCH...

International Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 592 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0592 United States
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