Revolt Runners

342 years ago today, the most important run ever to take place in this country culminated in the Pueblo Revolt. August 10th, 1680.

This was a run for survival. It was a run to unify peoples who had been subjected to colonizer's violence.

The runners were from the Pueblos of current day New Mexico and were to run to each of the other Pueblo communities with a message that there would be a revolt against the Spanish who had inflicted violence, slavery and horrific acts over the previous 140 years since their arrival.

A cord with knots was given as they arrived, with instructions that each morning one of the knots was to be untied. When there were no further knots left, that was the day to revolt against the Spanish. Po’pay, an Ohkay Owingeh medicine man and leader previously been imprisoned by the Spanish, led what became known as the Pueblo Revolt.

Ethan Gutierrez, a youth from Sandia Pueblo, created this sculpture to honor Po'Pay.

The runners…

I think about some of the distances covered – 20, 30, 50 miles or more. Distances we now traverse in vehicles they accomplished on foot.

I think about some of these runners being youth. I imagine the strength it took and the strength they carried in their bodies, minds, and spirits.

I think of how well the runners must have known the land, their internal compass pointing the way to their destination.

I think about the risk these runners incurred by committing to the run itself. Risks of being caught, as happened to Catua and Omtua, two Tesuque youth runners who were tortured and killed after being captured on their run.

Life-size bronze statue of Catua and Omtua by former Pojoaque Pueblo Gov. George Rivera

I wonder what the runners might they have been thinking as they covered long miles. Were they in prayer during the run? Did they think of the seven Generations to come after them?

For those who are runners, honor them as you run today and this week. Run for them.

For those who work to address injustices and inequities that continue to play out colonization's aims, with Indigenous and other communities of color suffering disproportionately, honor the resistance of August 10th, 1680 as a reminder of what united and coordinated efforts to stand up for justice can achieve.

Footnotes:

The Pueblo Revolt through the eyes of youth. A beautiful spoken word piece “Po’Pay” by the Santa Fe Indian School spoken word team in 2010.

On September 22, 2005, the Po'Pay statue in the rotunda of the U.S. Congress building was unveiled. The artist, Cliff Fragua, was the first American Indian artist to have a statue placed in the Statuary Hall. The statue, slightly larger than life size, shows Po'Pay holding a knotted cord in his left hand, the signal for the initiation of the revolt. In his right hand is a bear fetish and behind him a pot, both symbolizing the Pueblo world and religion. On his back are the scars from the whipping he received as a consequence of his observing Pueblo religious ceremonies. (Source: Wikipedia)