On the first run to New York I carried an eagle staff to honor our warriors who fought in the 1800's. On this run I carry the Stars and Stripes to honor those who fought believing that we were all on their side. I feel proud to do this just as I felt proud when I carried the eagle staff. I will not allow these Stars and Stripes to touch the ground. I am willing to take criticism even if it means being called a coward.
Criticism is nothing compared to the countless number of men who took the hit in Vietnam.
This flag I carry is for all of our veterans, Canadian and American, Native and non-Native, who have fought in the wars of this century. Canadians will criticize me for not carrying the Canadian flag. Natives will criticize me or not carrying an eagle staff. Americans will tell me that I do not have the right to carry the Star Spangled Banner. And yet, no white man has ever picked up an eagle staff and ran twenty- seven hundred miles as a gesture of honour to the North American Indian.