1968 Centennial Long Walkers remember through reunion

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The participants of the reunion of the 1968 Centennial Long Walk filed into the Window Rock Sports Center escaping from the commotion of the typical fair.

With the Treaty Day carnival and vendors surrounding the reunion of those who partook in the commemoration of the nadir of Navajo history, the gathering stood out like a soar thumb.

It wasn’t charging money like the PRCA ProRodeo, the carnival or the previous night’s Sara Evans concert. It was just several attendees wanting to gather and remember a crucial time for Dine’ people. Those who attended the affair joined together forgetting about the commercial events taking place outside, but remembering the long walk that brought them together 42 years earlier.

Those faithful attendees were promised nothing of bucking horses or stomach-turning thrills, but of good company and a nice traditional meal that consisted of three of the four traditional plants: corn, beans and squash. The fourth plant, tobacco, was given away as a gift to the Centennial Long Walkers.

“This is so awesome,” stated Long Walker Felipita Quinones. “After 42 years I thought we were forgotten.”

Quinones was six years old when she participated in the centennial event, and it is her picture that served as the face of the Treaty Day Celebration. Traveling all the way from Fayetteville, NC to attend the event, Quinones was pleased with the idea of celebrating Navajo independence rather than the annual American Independence Day.

“I believe that’s the way to do it. We have to remind our young ones about our past.”

The event drew a large crowd, and included several big name attendees. Giving the introduction was noted historian, Martin Link, and being honored as guest speaker was tribal councilman and Long Walker Harold Wauneka.

Long Walker Polly Fowler provided the invocation in a low voice, but with lots of emotion. “I can’t really explain what happened,” Fowler claimed. “Everyone had hardships, but they came back…”

During lunch, Clarence Clearwater provided entertainment with his acoustic guitar and his impressive voice, and Mary Singer-Goldsmith and Pat Bighorse provided the day’s comedy entertainment.

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Clearence Cleareater performs during lunch also a participant 42 years ago.