From: Rangzen@aol.com  Date: 3/28/1997
Subject: The walkers are in the USA!

Walk Update: March 28, 1997
(see www.rangzen.com)

Much has happened since our update last week. Last weekend over 25
people walked, contending some rather gray & snowy weather. Many
Tibetans & Westerners drove from Toronto to meet the march. Great
inspiration to continue to receive such strong support from the
Canadian community. One walker from Canada, Lobsang Khedup commented,
"The walk reminds me of the trek I made across the Himalayas with my
family when I was six years old."

On Saturday (March 22) evening, the walkers were treated to a momo
feast driven down from Toronto by Tsering Dolma Gyaltong and her son
Chimi. On Sunday (March 23), the walkers enjoyed a picnic of leftover
momos, rice, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Quite a combo. Dinner was
provided via a potluck hosted by The Unitarian Church of St. Catharines,
Ontario. On Monday, the walkers gave a presentation at the Unitarian
Church of St. Catharines, Ontario, while on Tuesday, they presented at
Brock University. Tuesday evening, the walkers cooked for themselves
(only the 2nd time) a delicious momo dinner. Kunchok (one of the Tibetan
female walkers) baked tenmo & all sorts of other bread. YUM YUM!

Wednesday (March 26th) was the day that the walkers had been waiting
for all week; they were to cross into the United States. Once the day's
walk began, anticipating the excitement of crossing an international
border, the walkers banged drums and chanted, "Free Tibet! China Out!"
all the way through the Canadian town of Niagara arriving at the Rainbow
Bridge at 11:00 AM. The local press were out in full force, at times
making the crossing difficult, constantly asking Thubten Jigme Norbu
(Taktser Rinpoche) to stop and pose with the Niagara Falls behind him.
The walkers all remained patient knowing that the media's attention was
critical when getting out the message, "Independence for Tibet."

The view from the Rainbow bridge was a beautiful sight. A cracked glacier
of ice in the river below, mist rising from the falls, & the roar of
wind & water. All the walkers were thinking about crossing the border
between Tibet and Nepal, high in the Himalayas.

Midpoint on the bridge awaited a most honorable delegation, "The Keepers
of the Western Door." Their Chiefs out in front & the people of the
Tuscarora and Seneca Native American Nations following, all sang a song
of friendship & welcomed Rinpoche & the Tibetans who followed him. Chief
Norman Hill, after saying a blessing, received a kata, then Chief Leo
Henry, then Chief Linley Logan, each received a kata. And then, Chief
Linley Logan read the following powerful statement to the walkers & the
press:

"We, Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse), are here to promote peace,
understanding and goodwill among all our relations. As Keepers of the
Western Door, we, Onondowaga (Seneca) welcome Thubten Jigme Norbu,
Taktser Rinpoche, along with His Tibetan brothers & supporters marching
for Tibetan independence. We carry a flag which symbolizes one of our
wampum belts, known in English as the Five Nations belt. We wish the
Tibetan people strength in their pursuit of human rights, the same
rights we believe all who live on this Mother Earth are entitled to.
All forms of oppression must cease not only for our survival but to
fulfill our responsibilities to those faces yet unseen. Da Nay Ho
(So be it)"

After this short ceremony on the bridge, Rinpoche & the walkers were
escorted to US customs where the immigration officers were quite puzzled
to suddenly find a mixed group of Tibetans, Native Americans, Canadians,
& US citizens.

"What will be your mode of transportation while in the U.S.?" asked the
officer. 
"We are walking," answered Norbu. 
"You're walking? Where did you start walking from?" (asked the officer) 
"Toronto." answered Norbu. 
"Toronto?" (asked the officer)
"Yes, Toronto. We are walking to New York." replied Norbu. 
"You're walking to New York?" (asked the officer)
"Yes." responded Norbu.

It was rather a long conversation, but one that the walkers had gotten
used to. People seem to have a hard time comprehending the fact that we
are walking, and the immigration officers, in particular, had a hard
time accepting it. However, once all their questions were answered, all
the walkers crossed over to the USA.

Once all the marchers made it through customs, they all walked to Howard
Johnsons for tea & lunch. Here Chief Norman Hill gave a blessing: "Before
we do anything we always give a blessing," he began. "Even when two
Indians meet in the road they give thanks to The Creator for being able
to see each other and that they are both feeling well, and then they
talk business or tell about what they are doing." Hill continued by
explaining many of the blessings given to The Creator, "We give blessing
for giving us our way of life, and we ask for no more than what is given.
We bless the maple trees for all that they offer. We bless the rivers,
streams, and lakes for bringing water for the plants in our gardens. We
bless the stars that we follow when we are lost, the moon for it's cycle
and the children that it brings (woman's cycle), and the sun for warming
the Earth. We bless the strawberries, green corn, and string beans that
we grow and in the Fall we have our Harvest Dance. We give blessings for
this. We bless Thubten Jigme Norbu and ask The Creator to walk with him
and give him a nice path and protection."

At this time, Rinpoche was presented with a corn rattle & a silver turtle
pin with an explanation that the world is riding on the back of a turtle
following the good word of peace. Rinpoche responded by saying, "Thank you
very much for a great day. We Tibetans walked two weeks to make this crossing
and are pleased to be met by our friends of The Nations. It is a great honor
and privilege to be here with you. You give us great spirit to continue our
work not just for Tibet but for this world where many people suffer." He also
added, "in Tibetan society the turtle is also very important, for Buddhists
believe that The Wheel of Life is set on the back of a turtle." To this, the
people of The Nations clapped with joy & astonishment. 

Then, all the Tibetan walkers were presented with gifts of woven grass bells
& carved stone boxes. And, Rinpoche presented gifts of copies of His
autobiography, "Tibet is my Country" & Tibetan incense. Reacting to the
photograph of Rinpoche on the front cover of the book, Chief Linley Logan was
heard saying, "Look! These boots he's wearing. They are the same as our
boots!" It was truly an amazing day bringing together two peoples involved in
similar struggles & who share many astonishing similarities in their cultures
& religions.

To see images of this historic gathering of Tibetans, Native Americans, &
Westerners, check out  www.rangzen.com  on the worldwide web. Once you arrive
on the walk page, click on March 26th. By the way, this unbelievable
gathering of the various Nations could not have happened without the active
involvement of Harmon & Marcia Houghton, The PeaceWeavers, & Tere. We ALL
THANK YOU!

On Thursday (March 27), the walkers successfully presented at SUNY-Brockport,
while that evening, the group enjoyed a dinner & dance with the Native
American Nations that welcomed them to their lands. This morning (Friday,
March 28), Rinpoche & Dadon Dawa Dolma appeared on the AM Buffalo Television
Show. This was the first time that a formal TV interview was held concerning
the 1997 "March for Tibet's Independence." Dadon performed on this show.

To date, the walkers have covered approximately 140 miles. While most have
contended with bad colds, all are even more energized by the walk & excited
about what can happen when committed individuals pursue a simple task with
deep motivation & common purpose. During this next week, the walkers will be
approaching the Rochester, NY area. Everyone is quite anxious to finally come
face to face with the wonderful community of supporters in Rochester.

We are still in need of funds to support the logistics of the walk & food for
the walkers. We require about $15,000 (US dollars) & we would appreciate any
amount of assistance. Checks can be mailed to:

International Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 194
Fishers, Indiana 46038-0194
USA

Peace to everyone,

Larry Gerstein,
Director, International Tibet Independence Movement

P.S. Some of you have been wondering about my whereabouts. Let it be known
that I am sitting at home in Fishers, Indiana (USA) practicing, as best I
can, visualizing actually being with the walkers. Any help on how to improve
my practice is welcomed! At this point, speedy techniques are preferred.

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