Published: May 16, 2008 12:06 pm            

Local woman supports walk with a walk

• Addie Jo Tohee and her daughter hope to raise money for Longest Walk 2 participants

When Addie Jo Tohee was diagnosed with diabetes three years ago, her courage kicked in and she vowed to fight the disease with determination, exercise and proper eating habits.

She told the doctor “no” when he mentioned insulin and, three years later, she has been able to control the diabetes by walking and then walking a little bit more.

On an average day, she and her daughter, Endonnis, will walk Boomer Lake twice. Their walk Saturday morning will be special because it is a benefit walk to raise awareness (along with monetary and equipment aid) for those participating in the Longest Walk 2.

On Feb. 11, Longest Walk 2 participants embarked on a five-month journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. They will arrive in Washington around July 11. This is a grassroots effort on a national level to bring attention to the environmental disharmony of Mother Earth, sacred site issues and to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original longest walk.

Approximately 150 people are said to be participating in the walk, including tribal members from all over the nation as well as many international participants including Nipponzan Miyohoji Buddhists from Japan.

The benefit walk around Boomer Lake will begin at 9 a.m. by the boat dock. Their hope is to raise funds and clothing which will allow the walkers to continue taking part in the LW2.

Walkers who would like to participate will be asked to donate whatever they can to help the participants travel to meet the Longest Walk in Louisiana. All people of all nations, cultures and beliefs are invited to participate.

Besides monetary help, the organizers of this Boomer Lake walk have suggested running shoes (all sizes are welcome, new or used), socks, all types of clothing and first aid equipment.

“When I found out I had diabetes three years ago, I was under the care of the Iowa Tribe Wellness Center,” said Tohee. “They were instrumental in making sure I was receiving the proper care and that my health was not jeopardized by not taking prescription medicine.

“These walks I participate in are in honor of my mother, Katie Carson, Remonia Murray Jacobsen and my grandma, Minnie Lorie Carson. They are beside me as I walk.”

Tohee, her daughter and her niece, Ashlee Jacobsen, a Langston student, will travel to Baton Rouge, La., next week where they will meet up with the LW2 and walk to New Orleans.

The Longest Walk is a spiritual and historic walk. Native Americans and their allies from across the nation and world walk behind the banner, “All Life is Sacred; Save Mother Earth.”

Northern route walkers carry this mission with them as well: “Renewing the Spirit by Walking in the Footsteps of our Ancestors” as they cover the original route walked 30 years ago in the first Longest Walk.

A southern route is walking simultaneously in the Clean Up Mother Earth campaign where walkers will pick up trash along the route.

Both routes will cover a combined 8,000 miles.

For information on the walk Saturday, contact Tohee at 372-7572 and for information on the LW2, visit www.longestwalk.org.

        

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