10:29 AM MDT on Friday, August 13, 2004

Associated Press

FORT WASHAKIE, WY -- Sixty American Indians began a 300-mile journey from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming to Fort Hall, Idaho, today as part of a healing run.

The Eagle Staff Runners, who range in age from 7 to 18, left Fort Washakie bound for Fort Hall Indian Reservation, home of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes.

They are expected to arrive in about eight days.

Clarence Thomas is the Eastern Shoshone tribal health director and diabetes coordinator.

He says the young men are running for their health as well as to promote healing among Native American peoples.

The idea of sacred runs began in 1995 among tribal elders as a way to reduce youth problems and build stronger bonds between the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, who share the Wind River reservation.

The running events also are aimed at fostering ties with other Native American groups.

Previous runs have been held to highlight sobriety, diabetes prevention, veteran affairs, and peace and dignity.

The journey is divided into segments in which each runner logs a mile at a time, then another takes over.