A beautiful fall day for annual Fall Walk Around
9/26/2009
By Sue Sharon
Staff Writer
Julia and Valerie Johnson enjoy some chili after the walk.
About 50 UW-Superior staff and students gathered at Pattison Park between 11 am and 12 pm on Saturday for the 18th annual First Nations Fall Walk Around.
Gary Johnson, the Director of First Nations Studies at UWS began the event with a tobacco ceremony with the mixed group of first time walkers and annual participants.
"This ceremony is to give people the chance to reconnect with Mother Earth; to say goodbye for the winter; to connect with our harmony and balance while reflecting on joy and sorrows in our lives while on the walk; and to enjoy the day with good friends, good company, and good food."
The walk was an optional part of the event. Enjoying nature was all that was required.
Carrie Knuutti, a UWS student is a first timer at this annual event. She heard of this event while working at the Tower Reservation's boys and girls club during this last summer and wanted to learn more about the Native American culture.
UWS Professor Ted Cox and his wife Betty were among the first to arrive. Patty Olber-Guist (UWS Parking Services Dept.), Georgia Swanson (UWS retired First Nations Studies Dept.) were among the annual celebrators who took care of walkers and pointed the way to the chili, corn bread and pumpkin bars.
Gary Johnson, the Director of First Nations Studies at UWS began the event with a tobacco ceremony with the mixed group of first time walkers and annual participants.
"This ceremony is to give people the chance to reconnect with Mother Earth; to say goodbye for the winter; to connect with our harmony and balance while reflecting on joy and sorrows in our lives while on the walk; and to enjoy the day with good friends, good company, and good food."
The walk was an optional part of the event. Enjoying nature was all that was required.
Carrie Knuutti, a UWS student is a first timer at this annual event. She heard of this event while working at the Tower Reservation's boys and girls club during this last summer and wanted to learn more about the Native American culture.
UWS Professor Ted Cox and his wife Betty were among the first to arrive. Patty Olber-Guist (UWS Parking Services Dept.), Georgia Swanson (UWS retired First Nations Studies Dept.) were among the annual celebrators who took care of walkers and pointed the way to the chili, corn bread and pumpkin bars.
