Sacred Life Walk Blog

Hi Everyone,

We’re almost there! Everyone is very excited as we’re now into the
final stretch. It’s only 265 kms to Uluru!

The last leg between Coober Pedy and Erldunda was very interesting and
we’ve had the pleasure of staying on Indigenous owned and run
stations: Mt Willoughby and Wallatina.

Here we met some fantastic people and heard many stories and visions
of how these families are looking to sustainably develop their land
for the future.

We saw a thrilling local footy match at Marla that ended in a draw,
and also visited a Pitjantjara community called Indulkna which was
great. So many people are very concerned about the new legislation,
CDEP and other aspects of the intervention - but we won’t go into that
now.

Unfortunately we were not able to travel any further into the Pit
Lands as previously hoped - the corrugated roads have given the van
quite a decent punishment already, so for now we’ve continued along
the Stuart Hwy and are staying at the Erldunda Roadhouse.

We are looking forward to seeing people at Uluru from the 23rd - 27th
of October, but due to some difficulties organising performers, travel
expenses and coordination with local communities we won’t be having a
concert on the 28th October. HOWEVER, there is something BIG planned
for the not too distant future, so we’ll keep you all posted!

It is costing us a small fortune in phone/internet bills everytime we
get to a roadhouse, so we’ll wait till the next update (after Uluru)
to post photos.

Ok thanks again to everyone for all the amazing support, kindness and
well wishes.

In particular we’d like to take this opportunity to thank:

Phil Russell, Maya Healing Centre, Madelaine, Kirsten Lindsay, ANTAR
SA, United States Grandmothers Manifesto Group, Freddy Buckskin and
Friend, United Aboriginal Islander Congress Port Augusta, Nat Wasley,
Erldunda Tom.

~Sacred Life Crew
10/10/07

Hi everyone,

Sue and the walkers have made it to Coober Pedy are now well over half way! That’s 848kms of the 1500kms of the total distance to Uluru!

The country since leaving Port Augusta has been amazing. From the beautiful wild flowers on red sandy plains, incredible rock formations and crystalised salt lakes, every day brings new scenery and a new dreaming story. We’ve continued to meet amazing people and inspirational communities along the way and would like to thank all those people who’ve come out and walked with Sue or supported us in other ways.

You can view our updated gallery here: www.peacepilgrimage.net/sacredlife

++
“SOCIAL ISSUES”

As we travel further up the Stuart highway we’re starting to get a much clearer picture of what the Howard Government’s new legislation means for indigenous communities. From massive funding cuts to Aboriginal Councils and Health Organisations, to the outrage at a lack of consultation with Community Leaders, we’ve not met anyone who isn’t cynical about what is happening. Many people feel there is a great need to resolve the problems, but want to have a real debate about partnerships and the future. So far the overwhelming sentiment is that “social issues” are being used as a diversion to hide the destruction of Aboriginal land rights and culture.

A Kookatha Woman told us “look at the housing price explosion and the infrastructure and services in places like Roxby Downs and you soon get an idea whose expert and professional advice is being followed - China and Russia’s! All these planned new mining and uranium expansions show whose interests are really important to this Government.” And she added “and it’s not the local custodians who are signing these mining agreements - we’re all too worried about the effects on water and the lands.”

A wise indigenous saying we’ve heard goes as follows: “The water basin is like the earth’s radiator; if you take out the water, everything overheats and you get a cracked head!”

Yes - the conversations around the campfire are very lively!

++
WHERE TO NEXT & JOINING THE WALK..

We’ve now had a good rest in Coober Pedy and after meeting members of the community, doing a workshop at the school and being taken out to some dreaming sites we’re back on the road.

A big thanks to Umoona for putting us up and the Community Health Service for the medical supplies.

The next stretch (Coober Pedy to Marla) will take about 12 days. We are hoping to reach Marla in 12 days (Sat 22nd September) and will be staying on Uncle Yamme Lester’s property at Wallatina.

From this point we are hoping to travel through Pitjantjara lands and through the back way to Uluru. This depends on permission, weather etc, and as we are down to one support vehicle (2WD), if there are problems here we’ll be heading along the main highway through Kulgera and Erldunda.

Currently, we are unable to support any further walkers as we’ve got 9 people for one [overloaded] van & trailer. If people have their own support vehicle and gear, they might want to consider meeting us at Marla, but do contact us first as this depends on permits etc for the Pitjantjara lands. Otherwise, check out the dates below and meet us at Uluru!!:

+++

ULURU DATES

pre 23rd Oct: Arrive and camping
*Tues 23rd Oct: Big BBQ at Mutitjulu with communities, then walk the final steps together to Uluru.
*24th to 27th Oct: Workshops and discussion.
*Sat 28th Oct: Music Gig with presentations, speeches, special guests and local music talent!

* We are trying frantically to get there on time and get things confirmed, but do check the Website for updates/confirmation as this is very difficult to organise everything from the road!

www.peacepilgrimage.net/sacredlife

+++

DONATIONS

Remember that we are entirely grassroots funded and any financial assistance goes a long way!

Our bank details are here: BSB: 803 226 A/C: 3558 (With Reference- “Sacred Life Walk”)

Otherwise, any food donations are greatly appreciated - think tinned food and long lasting vegies (things are sooo expensive out here). Call 0406868638 melb/0448104982 adel for donations of food to get sent through.

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Thanks again to all the people who have shown us kindness and given us such warm welcomes along the way!

~Sacred Life Walkers

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the delay between updates - communication capabilities have
been limited!

Sue Rankin and supporters of the Sacred Life Walk are now in Port
Augusta (the “Crossroads of Australia”) and it’s given us all a chance
to catch up on things and purchase some much needed supplies.

We thought we’d take this opportunity to give you all a bit of an update.

Background & Story so far…
+++++++++++++++++++++

Sue set off on her historic 1500km walk from Adelaide on the 7th of
July after a fantastic send off from the local community.

After a week of sore feet and creaky knees, Sue and the walkers found
their rhythm and are now doing 20+ kilometres per day.

A big thanks to all the people who have come and walked in solidarity
with Sue along the way.

7 walkers started from Adelaide and at one point it was down to just 4
walkers… However, now as we are about to set off from Port Augusta
we’ve got more than 12 dedicated walkers and more are due to come. On
some days numbers have reached as many as 20, as members of the local
indigenous communities come out and meet up with Sue.

Other walkers have included farmers, students, spiritual wanderers,
science and maths lovers, artists, finance professionals, grassroots
activists, surfers, web developers, international tourists and
knitters …to list just some of the diverse range of people who’ve
shared this journey thus far.

A big thanks to all the kind people we’ve met along the way; from
farmers welcoming us to sleep on the land, through to people donating
food and assistance. It really has been a humbling experience to be
given such a warm welcome from so many different people.

Thus far it really has been an great experience for all involved. We
are hearing so many interesting stories from the people we meet along
the way and everyone has a different story to tell.

Everyone is learning a lot but we feel like the truths are only going
.We are all looking forward to the change of landscape in coming
weeks!

Future Direction
++++++++++++++++++++++

We are now about to set off from Port Augusta and into the long
stretches of highway still to come before Uluru.

We are still encouraging people to come and walk, but at the moment
the two/three vehicles that are currently supporting the walkers are
at their capacity. If anyone out there is planning to join the walk,
do let us know.. but if at all possible, it’d be great to have some
more support vehicles before taking on additional walkers.

We are still walking according to the schedule on the website, but we
may be taking an alternative route at Marla through Pitjanjara lands.
This depends entirely on the permission and weather, so please check
the website regularly.

More info and ways to help/get involved
++++++++++

We are keeping to a basic budget but the funding levels are pretty
low. Anyone who believes in this walk - we could certainly use some
help for essentials such as fuel and food as everything is grassroots
funded…

Our bank details are here: BSB: 803 226 A/C: 3558 (With Reference- “Sacred Life Walk”)

Check out the online photo gallery here: http://peacepilgrimage.net/sacredlife

Check out the walk blog here: http://peacepilgrimage.net/sacredlifeblog

Also, we’ve attached a flyer for people to download and distribute widely!

With respect to the traditional owners upon whose lands our feet have passed,

Sacred Life Walkers

For any queries, please contact us at any time on these numbers
0402029968, 0448104982

Stayed at a little retreat on the gawler river called riverdell on the second night. Had some very interesting conversation with a wise old women called paula who finds her guidance through theosophy(studying different interpretations of the bible). The next morning we had the good fortune to meet a strong woman called rose turner and after a cup of tea we were invited over to her place for dinner. So after another day of walking we met rose’s big family from all around and got a bit of an idea about what’s happening with south oz indig affairs. Still issues but sounds like the south oz mob have got some good stuff happening too.
Tuesday we made it to Templars and stayed on on a property run by gary and sheryl. They’re cropping and have been working the land here for many years. Had plenty of funny stories to tell and were very kind to us. Their young daughter tara will walk with us in solidarity today too. Everyone is going well and we’re dropping off and picking up new people regularly. Sue’s knees have been sore(she didnt do enough training!) but we’re getting there and she reckons the muscles are getting stronger! Plenty of lively conversation and we’re learning heaps from the people we’re meeting along the way. Weather is great at the moment. Next update soon!

Come together - uluru 23/10/07

What an amazing first day! Thanks to everyone who braved the early morning cold and got down to the indigenous community center for a beautiful send off.. It was great to see so many different people there and a big thanks to Antar for all their help and kind words. We’ve detoured slightly from the main road as we were kindly offered a property to stay on in Salisbury. We will try and make Gawler by tomorrow night. After this we’re heading on through Templars, stockport, Giles Corner, Rhynie, Auburn, Leasingham, Watervale, Sevenhill, Clare, Rochester, Yacka, Gulnare, Narridy, Crystal Brook, Warnertown, and aim to arrive at Port Pirie on the 19th. If we dont have a chance to change the online map please note this means we wont be walking along the Princes hwy. Ok that’s all for today- next update soon. This is being typed by sms so please forgive shortness! Everyone in good spirits- sue’s got sore feet but managed today no problem.

Come together - uluru 23/10/07

Just a final reminder to anyone in Adelaide - get down to the
departure BBQ at 6:00 to see Sue off..

Details on the frontpage of the website!

Thanks to everyone who has sent through art and music… we’ll upload
them shortly and from here on in, people can use the online upload
area to do this automatically!

See you on the road! Sue n Crew.

We’re all ready to go!

Hello everyone… this blog has been setup so we can send instant updates from the road. Next post again soon!