“Peace is not an unreachable goal; it’s a reality that is within the grasp of all the citizens of the world.” That was the central message of the third-annual World Peace and Prayer Day in Pipestone, Minn., which drew a pack of Iowa State students June 19-21.

Devery Fairbanks, instructor of American Indian Studies 210, Introduction to American Indian Studies, took 25 students to the gathering in the southwest corner of Minnesota.

Fairbanks said a Native American leader from South Dakota hosted the event.

Fairbanks is a member of the White Earth Chippewa (Ojibway) tribe of Minnesota. He has been teaching at ISU since the fall of 1997.

Fairbanks said the event was a “coming together from all cultures of the world and expressing gratitude for life.”

The event began on June 19 as an organizing day for setting up camp, learning protocols and welcoming runners and walkers coming from the four directions.

June 20, a teaching day, included speakers, forums and lessons about the importance of animals to the lifestyle and survival of the Native people.

Finally, June 21 was the International Day of Peace and Prayer. Participants gathered with spiritual leaders for special prayers to heal the youth and to acknowledge the power of prayer for the protection of the animals.

According to a press release, the conference provided “an opportunity for creating peace and harmony.”

“The Pipestone quarries are the home of the stone from which our Sacred Pipes are created. Our prophecies tell us that we are at crossroads. We are faced with either chaos and disaster, or we can unite spiritually in peace and harmony. It is time to bring the message of the need for peace throughout the world,” states the conference’s mission.

The necessity of gathering was first brought forward in 1994 when the birth of the first White Buffalo Calf signaled changes that are coming and the fulfillment of prophecies of the seventh generation, according to a press release.

The prophecies have directed prayer for four years at sacred sites in the four directions on June 21.

Gatherings took place in both 1996 and 1997.

The events at this year’s International Day of Peace and Prayer consisted of speakers, song, dance, prayer and Native American tradition. Grif Sims, senior in computer engineering, said topics focused on respect.

“People spoke about things they wanted you to respect,” Sims said.

Brad Schmidgall, sophomore in mechanical engineering, said many people prayed for the environment and saving the wolf and its habitat.

Schmidgall said most of the day’s messages were in English, but that prayer and dance was in a language he could not understand. The music was almost all traditional Native American and was played on handmade instruments, Schmidgall said.

A brochure distributed at the event emphasized a close relationship with the natural environment.

“Our relatives, the animal nations, reflect our well-being. What happens to them, happens to us. The buffalo, wolf, salmon, bear, caribou, eagle and other relatives in this fragile ecosystem are all in danger and suffering. Their voices must be heard. They need our help,” the brochure states.

A portion of the day consisted of a sweatlodge ceremony in which two students participated, including Sims, who called it “a powerful experience.”

“There was a lot of praying and singing songs,” Sims said. He also said he was nervous about the experience.

“[I was] scared going in because everyone knew what was going to happen, but we didn’t,” Sims said.

The group camped out at a site about a quarter-mile from the quarries and began the next morning by watching the sunrise, Sims said.

Both Sims and Schmidgall said the event was a very positive experience. Sims said the class all had a good time with one another.

“[It was] very interesting and a really neat trip, Schmidgall said.

Fairbanks said this was the first time he had taken a class on the trip, but he has accompanied classes on similar trips.