Water is life
As we began to enter the outskirts of the reservation, a blazing orange sunset lit up the skyline of vast open land before of us. I could see sandstone mesa’s in the distance glowing brightly by the sun one last time. Suddenly I began to feel a sense of peace, and then welcoming here as we entered Hopi land.
Over the weekend I had the privilege of getting to participate in a wonderful cause. The Paatuwaqatsi Run or Water is life run was founded by well-known and accomplished Hopi runner, Bucky Preston. This wonderful human has literally run thousands of miles in the quest to preserve and protect his people's water. He organized The Water Is life run to be a peaceful, non-competitive prayer run to raise awareness about water issues. Specifically, right here in Arizona on the Hopi reservation.
Post run photo: (left to right) Hopi runner, Randy. Flagstaff locals Sara and Martos.
For those of you know don’t know, “Hopi land” is a 1.5-million-acre sector of land in the far Northeast corner of Arizona. To this day “Old Oraibi” a village on the Hopi reservation is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in all of the United States. Putting that into perspective, they date date as far back as 900 A.D. Being some of the first people to ever exist and live here in the United States. This just blows my mind. I find it truly amazing how cultures like the Hopi, have persevered over time and are still here today. Talk about having roots to a place.
As an Environmentalist and runner with an interest in Anthropology, I was drawn to this event ever since I first heard about it. I was curious to see where the Hopi tribes lived. I wanted to learn about their culture, and deep connection to water. I also wanted to bring awareness around the ever-pressing realities of climate change, droughts, and current water issues. Not just for the tribes here but for everyone on the planet. Especially for those of us living here in the Southwest.
Water has always been symbolic and played a huge role in the root of their history. Up until the 80’s Hopi people would rely only on natural springs and underground aquifers for drinking water, agriculture, and religious ceremonies. They knew the spiritual significance and value that water plays for all living beings in life. They believed this so much so, that for thousands of years Hopi people would get up with the sunrise and run for many miles to their sacred springs. Here they would bless themselves with water, and show gratitude for what it provides to all living beings.
“We are running for everyone, remember to pray for everyone who can’t run. We always remember this because this is what they tell us. All living things out there. Even the grass and rocks, everything you see is alive. Think about all these good things out there, and have a safe run”
These were Bucky’s wise words before we started. The run began with a sunrise as gorgeous as the sunset the night before. Long distant ultra-runners took off for their 30 miles first. Next, was my group running 10 miles. I was unsure what to expect with the miles ahead of me, but I remembered this wasn’t a race. It was about slowing down (seems counteractive I know) and become fully present in the moment.
The run began on a dirt road behind Bucky’s house. Which then turned into running through a muddy river before we entered our slow climb up the sandy paths to the top of the first mesa. Once we made it to the top of the mesa, the views were endless and so expansive. You could see for miles. We ran past old ruins, and carefully down climbed some big boulders towards the first sacred spring. Then a few more miles towards the second spring. I was able to catch up to an older Hopi man at one point and had to say hi. Even being slightly out of breath, “Randy” said hello and began to tell me a few quick words about this place. (So special!) Eventually we broke away, and there were a few more beautiful miles to run and climb before we would make our way back.
At times my mind couldn’t help but wander as I realized where I was. I was running on some of the oldest of foot paths, to the most sacred of sites, in one of the wildest of places. Feelings of gratitude over came me in waves. What an opportunity it was for the Hopi people to welcome outsiders here and share this special places with us.
At the finish we were welcomed with smiles and praise. Local Hopi woman Melba Polacca christened us with water and said her blessings in Hopi.
“Thank you very much for participating in running for our water. For water is life. We need to purify our water of arsenic for the health of our people. Thank you and be strong
”
For more than 20 years now the Southwest has experienced warmer temperatures and increasing droughts. The Hopi people have witnessed these temperature dominated droughts first hand when their sacred springs began to dry up. Forcing them to find reliance on other outside sources. The water houses and pumps which supply additional water for the people have been contaminated with Arsenic. In fact, according to HAMP (Hopi arsenic mitigation project) water they drink has nearly twice the limit the U.S. EPA set in 2001. The Hopi major health issues for their people.
The protection and preservation of water is the responsibility of every single one of us. For we all rely on it to survive. If one place becomes inhabitable due to lack of water or contamination, those communities will be forced to leave and migrate to another area. Putting more pressure and stress on other water supplies and resources. Unfortunately, that truth is becoming ever more looming, not just for the Hopi people but the rest of us here in Arizona. Both lakes Mead and Powell, area’s north of the Hopi land provide drinking water for many of us here in Arizona, and are also seeing major declines in drinking water. With rising temperatures, these large bodies of water are evaporating more quickly than can be restored. Scientists are concerned that if levels drop below 1,075 ft above sea level, cutbacks and even shortages will be likely for cities such as Tucson, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Predictions project that even as early as 2020 Arizona will see this repercussion.
While the water crisis we face today is in fact are daunting and real, we aren’t there just yet. There is still a lot we can learn from these peaceful people. Their strength and perseverance, and ability to survive in the middle of the desert, for thousands of years. Their example of living in balance with the natural world and preserving their water stands through in their constant desire and passion to protect it. It is vital that we all become more aware and follow in their footsteps. In order for all of us and future generations to thrive, being mindful of our relationship with water and how we consume and use it with be our only hope in creating a sustainable future. Without it we cannot survive. Water is Life. May we always protect and preserve it.
