The 2013 Unity Ride, led by Chief Gus High Eagle of the Western Dakota Nation, has differed from past years in a few respects. First, the riders traveled far beyond their customary path, beginning their ride in Albany, NY on July 27 and journeying down the East Coast. This voyage is 4,000 miles, more than ten times the typical distance, including stops throughout New York State and Connecticut, culminating in a larger event at the UN for the presentation of the International Code for Sacred Sites on August 9 in New York City, and eventually ending in Washington D.C.

The Unity Riders have also expanded the outreach of their annual mission by joining forces with the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign, self-described as a partnership between the Onondaga Nation and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation. In parallel with the Unity Ride event, the organization is sponsoring a Two Row Renewal event, consisting of more than 200 kayaks canoeing down the Hudson River. The flotilla of canoes and kayaks, led by Hickory Edwards of the Onondaga Nation and beginning in Troy, NY, consisted of two rows of boats. One row was made up of and led by Native Americans, while the other included peoples from an array of American identities.

I was honored to travel to Woodstock when I was contacted to trim and provide hoof boots for Chief Gus High Eagle's horse Rudy as well as some of the riders who came with him for the Unity Ride Parade in Woodstock.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RktnIuKXNzk

 This picture and caption was printed in PKA's Advocate Oct/Nov 2013