A journey of self-reflection — photos from the Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples JPP

The pilgrimage included a tour of Monument Valley, on the ancestral land of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Myrna Krehbiel.
The pilgrimage included a tour of Monument Valley, on the ancestral land of the Navajo Nation. Photo by Myrna Krehbiel.

From October 7-11, a group of 24 pilgrims toured Southern Utah on Navajoland. This Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples Just Peace Pilgrimage was done in partnership with The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and was co-led by Coalition Executive Director Sarah Augustine, a Pueblo (Tewa) descendant and Joe Hubbard, Episcopal organizer for the Coalition.

Pilgrims travelled from cities and farmland all over the United States to spend a week with the people of Diné Bikéyáh (the Navajo homeland). Front Row, left to right: Julie Hart, Patrick Bell, Rachel Gratz, Myrna Krehbiel, Yvonne Postelmans, Arloa Bontrager, Stephanie Weaver, Barb Fridley, Eileen Schuhmann, Leonard Harms, Sarah Augustine. Second row: Scott Applegate, Krisann Applegate, Amanda Pittman, Joni Fornelli, Linda Herr, Kim Morton, Frances Loberg, Sam Holiday, Bobbi Holiday, Merwyn De Mello Third row: Conrad Gratz, Phil Hart, Brett Baker, Mike Schut, George Fridley, Lara Dale, Joe Hubbard. Photo by Arloa Bontrager.
The ministry hub for the Utah Region of the Episcopal church in Navajoland, St. Christopher’s Mission hosted the pilgrimage in the retreat center during the trip. The 80-acre campus under the San Juan River bluffs includes ten historic buildings, gardens, and orchards. Photo by Myrna Krehbiel.
The community garden at St. Christopher’s Mission. Photo by Stephanie Weaver.
Walter Shorty, an elder in the Navajo community, shares his story with the pilgrimage. Photo by Joe Hubbard.
Sarah Augustine leads a workshop for the pilgrimage in the chapel at St. Christopher’s Mission. Photo by Stephanie Weaver.
Sarah Augustine shares with JPP participants George Fridley, Len Harms, and Amanda Pitman. Photo by Scott Applegate.
The pilgrims visited a sustainable family farm, and toured nearby near ancient ruins. The farm has been cultivated by the same family for five generations. Photo by Arloa Bontrager.
When trying to leave the farm, the pilgrims found that the road was too muddy. Joe Hubbard encouraged them to believe that community would show up to help dislodge the van from the mud. For more on Hubbard’s thoughts on this experience, check out his blog. Photo by Stephanie Weaver.
Sarah Augustine and pilgrimage participants discuss learnings from the trip. Photo by Linda Herr.

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