Ft. Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run

Yellow Bird Inc., Heove ve ‘keso





By Phillip Whiteman Jr. & Lynette Two Bulls
Watch Video at:
http://www.yellowbirdinc.org/

Starting January 9th through the 14th, 2009 the Annual Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run will be celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary of running the 400 miles from Fort Robinson, Neb. to Busby, Mont.

On January 9, 1879, at 10:30 pm, approximately 130 sick, starving Northern Cheyenne people, primarily elderly, women, and children, broke out of their wooden barracks attempting to escape from Fort Robinson, Neb. to return to their homeland in Montana. Although most were killed at the door step, some fled 40 miles before the Calvary caught up with them. They sought cover in a deep depression, where they were slaughtered and buried. This location is known as, “The Last Hole.” A small group also found safety among Red Cloud’s people. Oral history of the Oglala Lakota and those of Cheyenne descent state that an encampment of these survivors were fed and given blankets infected with small pox by Calvary soldiers. Remains of these Cheyenne ancestors have been discovered on the banks of Cheyenne Creek, just outside of Pine Ridge.

Today, “The Last Hole,” and “Cheyenne Creek,” will be among numerous sites revisited on the 400 mile spiritual journey by Northern Cheyenne youth runners and elderly participants. All of whom have been brought together to honor their ancestors, learn of their history and to address the issues of historical trauma so they can strive towards a better future.

The run’s participants include a wide range of ages, from 10 year old 5th graders, young adult college students to the elderly. After arriving at Fort Robinson, the runners will spend the next day, January 9th, visiting historical sights, listening to their ancestors’ stories and learning about their Northern Cheyenne heritage. That evening the runners will break out of the rebuilt barracks at the approximate time and on the exact location that their ancestors broke out of 130 years ago.

The following day on January 10th, the runners will follow a new route through the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and stop at Cheyenne Creek that evening to hear the oral history of that location. On this day they will be joined by Oglala Lakota runners. The alteration of the original route to go through the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of running the full 400 miles from Fort Robinson to Busby. It is also in memory of and to pay homage to those killed at Cheyenne Creek. Later, that evening both Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Presidents and officials will be honoring the Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run participants at the Prairie Winds Casino.

The run will resume the original route the next morning on January 11th, through the sacred Black Hills, from Hot Springs, Custer and onto Deadwood. The runners will make a special stop at Crazy Horse Monument at noon to give a gift of appreciation to Ruth Ziockowski and her family for their continued contributions and support of the run. That evening, a meal will be organized for the runners by Debbie Eagle Elk at 6 pm at the Mother Butler Center. The community is invited to help with the meal and support the runners and participants.

January 12th marks the longest day of mileage for the run. Runners will start in Deadwood and will continue into the night until they reach Hammond, Mont. On this day runners will cover over 100 miles. On this evening, the Butte County Historical Society and members of the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce will provide and serve a meal to the runners. The meal in Belle Fourche is significant because it creates a bridge between cultures and stimulates cultural awareness and understanding. These concepts are taught to the runners throughout the run.

The evening of January 13th, 2009 the runners will reach the reservation boundary in Ashland, Mont. where they will be welcomed home by hundreds of family and tribal members. Saint Labre Catholic School will provide the meal that evening. The final day of the Fort Robinson Spiritual Outbreak Run will end at the Two Moons Monument in Busby, Mont. This is the site where the remains of the Northern Cheyenne who were killed at, “The Last Hole,” are laid to rest.

The 10th Anniversary of the Fort Robinson Spiritual Outbreak 400 Mile Run will end at the Allen Rowland Gymnasium in Lame Deer, Mont. The runners will be honored with a meal provided by community members. Their 400 mile journey ends, but their journey in life continues with a strong sense of spiritual justice.

For specific route information, location, dates and times please see attached schedule. For more information regarding the Fort Robinson Spiritual Outbreak Run’s coordinators, Phillip Whiteman Jr. and Lynette Two Bulls and their non profit please visit http://www.yellowbirdinc.org/

Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run
Contact Phillip Whiteman Jr. & Lynette Two Bulls
(406)477-8720 or spiritseeker@rangeweb.net
Lame Deer, Montana