Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

July 17, 2004 - Issue 117

Still Walking

By Jan-Mikael Patterson - The Navajo Times

For 11th year, Grandma Thomas walks to raise money for youth center

CHINLE - For 11 years Grandma Marjorie Thomas, 73, has led an annual walk from Chinle to Window Rock to raise money to build a youth center in the Central Navajo Agency.

"We're trying to solicit funds," Thomas said on Monday while taking a lunch break along U.S. Highway 191 on the first day of the event. "It's a good way to fund-raise."

Thomas started the walk in 1993 and so far has raised about $85,000. "We need to take the kids off of the streets," she said, "and they need to be in a place where they congregate and have fun.

About 60 people braved the hot pavement and scorching sun the first day of the walk on Monday afternoon. Thomas and Apache County Sheriff Brian Hounshell said the walk began with 100 people in the morning, which is the largest amount of people to participate.

Thomas said the walk last year raised about $4,000.

"That was the most we raised, last year," she said. "It seems like there is little interest from the people."

She said offices from the Navajo Nation have donated to the cause but the Navajo Nation Council has yet to offer any assistance.

Thomas also said before President Joe Shirley Jr. was elected into office, he promised her that the youth center would be built.

"Nothing has happened yet," she said. "Not one word."

Thomas said children have been the core of her life's work as an educator and school superintendent in Chinle. Her grandmother, Daaghaa'i yee' bee asdzaa, taught her that children should be helped.

"The teaching comes from my grandmother," she said. "She used to say that we should sing, talk, pray, counsel and help children. She used to say help them in any way and every way you can. Help the kids."

For the kids involved in drugs and violence, it is the parent's fault for not teaching or listening to them. She said parents should communicate with their children.

"They're all good kids but they need attention," she said, "If nobody listens then that's when they go to the gangs and violence. The kids are good. If they know you respect them then they respect you."

The Apache County Sheriff's Department has supported the walk for the past five years. In that time Hounshell said the amount of participants has gradually increased.

Navajo Nation, Apache County and state of Arizona public safety vehicles escorted the walkers.

Apache County Supervisors Jim Claw, Tom White and David Brown and the sheriff's department are donating meals for the walkers.

The sheriff's department also donated fluorescent green T-shirts.

"Grandma Thomas adopted me into her family," Hounshell said. "I'm her son. If it has anything to do with kids, that's what we're there for."

Hounshell said his department does not shy away from events that support children.

"She is probably the most well-known grandma on the reservation," he said. "I can see it in her eyes. Just when you look at grandma, I can see the desire in her eyes. She will not give up. Our strength is drawn from her desire."

Thomas plans to continue raising money for the children.

"I want to continue to walk as long as I can walk," she said. "I'll walk for the kids. If I become invalid then I'll walk with my wheelchair."

The Central Navajo Youth Opportunities Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has organized the annual Grandma Thomas Walk-A-Thon.

Donations can be sent to:

Checks and money orders only are accepted and should be made payable to CNYOC, Inc. Receipts for donations will be mailed back.

Information: www.navajocentral.org/cnyoc.html.

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