Corbin hosting Native Americans trekking across America

Corbin has been selected to play host to a group of Native Americans who are walking across the country to call attention to the issues of alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence and suicide that have disproportionally affected their community.

The Longest Walk began in San Francisco, California on February 12 with the goal of reaching Washington, D.C. on July 15.

Venus Evans, one of the event organizers who recently spoke at the Corbin Tourism Commission, said the group of 15 to 16 walkers along with support vehicles, is on a route that will take it through 53 tribal communities.

While there is no Native American reservation in Kentucky, Evans said the group, which is currently passing through Kansas and Missouri, will be traveling through the Commonwealth en route to the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina.

“The walkers are from tribes all over the country,” Evans said.

As part of the trek through Kentucky, Evans said the group plans to stop overnight in Corbin.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel said she has spoken with city officials and the walkers will be able to spend the night at NIBROC Park.

“We will continue to call attention to and seek guidance on the issues that are causing devastation on Indian reservations and communities in the United States,” said Dennis Banks, National Field Director of the American Indian Movement. “Along the journey we will continue to work with communities, hold gatherings and collect information on ways to heal our people and the earth in an attempt to get the bigger picture of the issues. The information will be used to help determine what we must do to help halt this devastation.”