The Walkers started their day with a bang!! There was a thunderstorm that awoke the entire camp around 5 AM !!! Lots of lightning striking close to the campground and plenty of water from the downpour. Whew... what a way to start your day. Don't need a lot of coffee with this kind of alarm clock. But hey... we don't need that much beauty rest... eh?

When we gathered at the local Community Center for the Conference on Native Leadership it was still raining...but it cleared a bit later in the day. We got a late start due to the soaked camp and campers... and also because we moved the Conference location from the Littlejohn Campground to the Community Center. It took a while for people to learn about the new location and make their way over to that site.

The Center is a nice and spacious building with plenty of chairs and tables for setting up all of the equipment, banners, and silhouettes. There was a very nice breakfast prepared for all of the attendees. Fresh fruit, cheese, bagels, and muffins and a variety of juices and coffee. Thank you to the People who brought us this food... and a special thanks to Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman for the donation of food for this Gathering... and to Vedis Murillo of Phoenix, Az who assisted her. We are very grateful.

The Conference room was smudged and cleansed prior to the entry of the Sacred Hoop. The People from the Community carried the Sacred Hoop of 100 Eagle Feathers into the circle gathered for this event.... as Fred Short led the Walkers in an Honoring Song.

Don Coyhis introduced the 'Journey and Walk for Wellbriety'. And then Mabelle Sequoyah McDonald graced us with an Opening Prayer. Mabelle is the Great-Great-Grand-daughter of Sequoyah... the Cherokee man who created the alphabet for his People. It was an honor to meet you.

There were representatives of the Behavorial Health Center present for today's workshop and conference. Among them were: Patricia White McClanahan and Reva Ballew. Floyd Hand joined us from Pine Ridge...and Ralph Paytiamo from Acoma, New Mexico.

The Walkers on this Journey from Los Angeles to the White House in Washington D.C. shared their reasons for being a part of this Movement with those gathered at the Conference. And during the breaks the Community Members shared with us how much it meant to them that we would do this for them and for People everywhere. What they don't seem to grasp is that we receive as much inspiration from them as they do from us.. as Walkers. This Community started a sacred fire in our honor and for the Message of Wellbriety on Mother's Day. And they dedicated themselves to keeping that fire burning until our arrival in Cherokee, N.C. Imagine the long nights... sometimes in the rain.. sometimes fighting off hungry mosquitoes or fatigue. The People who did this.. they too are Spiritual Warriors. Just like the Walkers on this Journey. It takes all of us together to make this Wellbriety Movement a reality. I am honored to be in the same room with so many who dedicate themselves to such a worthwhile purpose.

Don Coyhis led us in a seminar called, "If you Lead, Be Sober." It was a very thought provoking afternoon.... as Don shared about how Tribal Leaders were chosen in the traditional way and how we go about choosing them now. Many heads were nodding in agreement in the audience as he expanded our way of looking at 'new ideas and concepts'... and how to blend the new technology with well tested traditional teachings. We look forward to the continuation of this topic in tomorrow's workshop. Today's Conference is closed in the same way it is opened... with a prayer to Creator to give thanks for the opportunity we have had to share with one another during this day.

Marti Aleshire and Sandy Cleveland joined us in camp. They brought propane, batteries, food, rope, and some phone cards for the walkers and lots of other great stuff. Thank you!!!

During the evening at our camp site... there was a Memorial Dinner for the Mother of Lisa Montelongo. There was a large feast and Lisa was joined with other family members including her brother... Cleto.. and friends Chipa and Kristin Wolf. Lisa's Mom had passed on during the time that Lisa was planning this Walk thru North Carolina for White Bison... and it is a tribute to her Mom that she asked Lisa to continue with the planning and to promise to continue with not only this event and this Walk ... but with the message of Wellbriety. She must have been a wonderful woman Lisa... and we are saddened by your loss... but heartened that she has left so much inspiration within your heart and the hearts of those in this community.

Nora Thompson Montelongo 1926 - May 16, 2000