Three Trails, One Emerging Issue
Something is definitely stirring.
It is clear that this Pedal Pilgrim work will be need to be intimately involved with Native American populations.
One of the central things about my commitment is to follow the energy of this work. I have said it numerous times and I will say it again—“I don’t so much as have a plan as I have an intention.” And that intention is to cultivate a culture of pilgrimage in America. Why pilgrimage? Because pilgrimage is one of those spiritual and psychological practices that allow people to remove themselves from the hustle-bustle of their normal lives and reflect on what is most important. And reflecting on what is most important is REALLY important right now!
Since I started engaging in this work over two years ago one significant historical issue is showing up front and center. As I cultivate a pilgrimage culture on American soil we have both an opportunity and an obligation to change our relationship with the land and with the Indigenous populations who live and have lived on this land before European Americans.
This is currently how the energy is unfolding on three trails or routes that I now have involvement with:
Two years ago I initiated a working task force of ecumenical and community partners to put the infrastructure in place for a pilgrimage route in conjunction with the Oregon Coast Trail, a 362-mile the spans the length of Oregon along the coast. As I put the task force together it was apparent that facilitating a pilgrimage route along the coast would have to include the building of relationships with Native American tribes along the coast. A task force missing that component would not get traction in the larger community we quickly learned.
In June of 2022 I walked the Camino de Sonoma, a 7-day, 75-mile route that begins at the mission in Sonoma, California and ends at Fort Ross, California on the coast. One of the most meaningful aspects of the pilgrimage was carrying a stenciled piece of cloth on my belt that had the name of one of the Indigenous children who died during the construction of the Mission San Francisco de Solano. Nearly 900 Native men, women and children died during a period of enslavement and forced labor. The name I carried, Jose de Jesus, was his baptized name. According to Adam Peacock, the founder and organizer of the Camino do Sonoma, the monument was erected in consultation with tribal leaders who wanted the family names protected still being unsure of how the memorial would be used, perceived and stewarded.
Walking the Camino de Sonoma on a foggy coastal day.
One of the things that I appreciated about the Camino de Sonoma is that it invited pilgrims to reflect on the unique history of this route. We started the pilgrimage at the last of the 21 Catholic missions that were built along the California coast, traveled on land inhabited by Indigenous populations in the past, and concluded at the pilgrimage at Fort Ross, the first Russian Orthodox Church on the West Coast.
Earlier this summer I came across the Remember the Removal Bike Ride. The ride is an annual event organized by the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to educate young Cherokee leaders about their history and ancestors. The ride follows the same route of the Trail of Tears from Georgia to Oklahoma where approximately 6,000 Cherokee men, women and children died during the forced move.
Remember the Removal riders, 2023
This summer I proposed to one of the Remember the Removal leaders that we might have an an opportunity to foster healing and education between the Cherokee people and the people currently living along that route. I asked whether they would be open to being hosted by churches along the route. This would provide the nightly hospitality that they need and provide an opportunity for congregations to also “Remember the Removal” and the role their ancestors played in it. I felt it was a leap in trust and I wasn’t sure the Cherokee leaders would warm to the idea. I am pleased to report that I am now working with the Cherokee Nation to provide host churches along the Trail of Tears for their annual Remember the Removal Bike Ride.
This whole Pedal Pilgrim initiative is about following the energy. It is clear that any pilgrimage cultivated on this land we call America will have to include all collaborations with all peoples, past and present.
Note: Just before publication I received an email about working with Native American tribes on another already established trail. Something is definitely stirring.
Brian Heron
Cultural Innovator and Spiritual Pilgrim