The Inaugural 7th Generation Global Wopida Run: Sharing the Spirit of Standing Rock, Protecting and Restoring Mother Earth and Building a Global Fire of Compassion.

A coalition of partners is hosting the Inaugural Global Wopida Run, led by Great Sioux Nation Youth Runners, across the Golden Gate Bridge carrying the Global Compassion Torch of solidarity, hope, and the spirit of Standing Rock to the Great Meadow at Fort Mason on Sunday, February 5th at 12:00 PM.

The 7th Generation Prophecy promised that this generation of Indigenous young people, guided by their Elders, would rise up and inspire other young people of the Human Family to join them in unprecedented, unified, prayerful action to Protect and Restore Mother Earth.

The Dakota people have a special ceremony, Wopida. Wopida is a sacred sharing of gratitude, a connecting with all beings through thanksgiving for all the countless gifts and blessings from the Creator in our lives. Often this includes sharing food and giving gifts of thanksgiving to those who have sacrificed for the upliftment of the People.

The purpose of the Global Wopida Inaugural Run is to be grateful for whatever Life bestows on us, knowing that every test and challenge comes into our lives for our spiritual growth and development to protect and restore Mother Earth. 

This spiritual understanding of Wopida requires each of us to live with honor, compassion, love, respect and harmony with all life. The coalition is hosting the 7th Generation Runners in San Francisco during World Interfaith Harmony Week. 

Ms. Bobbi Jean Three Legs, Hunkpapa Lakota, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Chris Walton and other youth runners from the Oceti Sakowin, the Seven Council Fires of the Great Sioux Nation, will be joined by local 7th Generation Runners from the Four Directions. 

The Runners will share their enthusiasm, vision, and words to co-create a just, sustainable and harmonious world by building a global fire of compassionate action to unite the Human Family. We will pass the Global Compassion Torch as part of the Wopida Ceremony taking place on the Great Meadow.

The inspiration for the Inaugural 7th Generation Run began in August of 2016 when the Standing Rock Youth Runners, led by the Ms. Three Legs, ran 2,000 miles to Washington DC and brought national and international attention to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and their supporters. Their run broadened the impact of those protecting the waters of the Missouri River against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), and raised a global cry: “Mni Wiconi - Water is Life.”

Traditionally, Indigenous Peoples across the Americas ran on foot to carry important messages. The Inaugural Global Wopida Run shares the news that at this time of great global change, the promised time has come for the 7th Generation to arise and inspire all generations to heal and resolve “Standing Rocks” everywhere on Mother Earth. Guided by their elders, the Runners carry the message that we are one Human Family, interrelated with all Life, and share a common destiny. The Hurt of One is the Hurt of All, the Honor of One is the Honor of All.

In the Spirit of the Wopida Ceremony, we request that attendees bring a favorite dish to share, as well as, their own plate and silverware. 

On the afternoon of Saturday, February 4th, the 7th Generation Runners, who have participated as Water Protectors at Standing Rock, will be honored at the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits (BAAITS) 6th Annual Two-Spirit Powwow, taking place at Fort Mason.

The coalition of partners include (alphabetical): Compassion Games International, The Cultural Conservancy, E2K, Fetzer Institute, Four Worlds International, Four Worlds Europe, Pachamama Alliance, Seat of the Soul Institute, Seeding Sovereignty, The Shift Network, Unify, United Religions Initiative, and We The World. 

The Goals of the Inaugural 7th Generation Global Wopida Run:

* To share the Spirit of Standing Rock and intent of the Global Wopida.

* To share the enthusiasm, the prophecy, vision, and words of the 7th Generation to ignite unprecedented, unified, prayerful, and enduring compassionate action to Protect and Restore Mother Earth.

* To unite the members of the human family to co-create a just, sustainable and harmonious world.

* To ignite a global fire of gratitude, love, and thanksgiving everywhere all at once.