A Nation in Four Movements
The National Pilgrimage is a journey into the heart of the nation. The route allows us to weave a shared story between metro areas and our countryside, between blue and red states, and invites us to love the nation together. It's all of it, all of us, with the focus on the middle spaces, the liminal between places, the beautiful, broken, beating heart of the nation.
We begin in rural New York State, the birthplace of democracy, before heading through Philadelphia into the heart of the Civil Rights south. From here we venture north through Tennessee and Missouri, making our way as far west at Yellowstone, as far north as Minneapolis, and landing our journey in Chicago for July 4th and the National Assembly, July 6-9, 2026. If you'd like to go deeper, you can read A Nation in Four Movements.
We begin in rural New York State, the birthplace of democracy, before heading through Philadelphia into the heart of the Civil Rights south. From here we venture north through Tennessee and Missouri, making our way as far west at Yellowstone, as far north as Minneapolis, and landing our journey in Chicago for July 4th and the National Assembly, July 6-9, 2026. If you'd like to go deeper, you can read A Nation in Four Movements.
Movement One: The Birthplace of Democracy
We explore the indigenous roots of democracy, the Suffage Movement, Underground Railroad, and our founding documents. We create space for children to engage with these difficult issues.
Route: New York - Pennsylvania - Virginia
Route: New York - Pennsylvania - Virginia
- 6/9- Fly into Rochester, and camp near Victor, NY
- 6/10- Susan B. Anthony House and Gonandagan Seneca Art & Cultural Center
- 6/11 - Drive to Seneca Falls, visit Women's Rights National Historic Park and 1848 Convention Session and National Women's History Museum, drive to Auburn, visit Harriett Tubman's home and grave, drive to Scranton, PA
- 6/12 - Visit the Waverly Destination Freedom, drive to / camp near Philadelphia, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, US Constitution Center
- 6/13 - Attend TED Democracy (seats limited), James Madison’s Montpelier
- 6/14 - Natural Bridge State Park, Floyd’s Country Store
- 6/15 - Booker T. Washington Birthplace, drive to Lewisville NC, Assembly circle
Movement Two: The Civil Rights Trail
We explore our original sin, slavery, and it’s lasting impacts.
Route: North Carolina - Alabama - Tennessee - Missouri - Nebraska
Route: North Carolina - Alabama - Tennessee - Missouri - Nebraska
- 6/15 - Booker T. Washington Birthplace, drive to Lewisville NC, Assembly circle
- 6/16 - Drive to Birmingham, Civil Rights Heritage Trail, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
- 6/17 - Drive to Tupelo for Elvis' childhood home, then to Memphis for the National Civil Rights Museum and blues on Beale Street
- 6/18 - Drive to St. Louis, visit Cahokia and the Pillars of the Valley.
- 6/19 - Drive to Cheyenne, WY
- 6/20 - Juneteenth Celebration in Cheyenne, fast, drive to All Nation’s Prayer Gathering of Ohcethi Sako’win (Seven Council Fires) in Mato Tipila (Devil's Tower, WY)
Movement Three: Indigenous Soul
Description: We explore Lakota culture, indigenous spirituality, and our nation’s best idea - National Parks. We visit with our National Mammal, the bison.
Route: Wyoming - Montana - South Dakota
Route: Wyoming - Montana - South Dakota
- 6/21 - 3:30am sunrise hike and ceremonies All Nation’s Prayer Gathering at Mato Tipila
- 6/22 - Drive to / camp in Yellowstone
- 6/23 - Visit bison herds, afternoon hike, stay in Yellowstone
- 6/24 - Morning hike (9-11am MT) and drive to / camp at Greasy Grass
- 6/25 - 150th Anniversary Commemoration of Battle of Little Big Horn (Custer's Last Stand)
- 6/26 - Drive to / camp at Black Hills
- 6/27 - Visit Crazy Horse and stay in Black Hills
- 6/28 - Visit Wounded Knee and drive to / camp at the All Nations Gathering Center, Inipi
- 6/29 - Visit Keepers of the Sacred Pipe and Pipestone National Monument and camp in Pipestone, MN
Movement Four: The American Century
Description: We honor the lives of those lost to illegal and racist police violence, the beauty of our architecture, Black culture, food, baseball, blues, and spirituality. We explore the City of Broad Shoulders, the scale and impact of the American Century.
Route: Minnesota - Wisconsin - Illinois
Route: Minnesota - Wisconsin - Illinois
- 6/30 - Drive to / camp near Minneapolis, visit Fort Snelling, hold vigils for Philando Castile, George Floyd, Renee Good, and Alex Pretti
- 7/1 - Drive to / camp near Taleisin Frank Lloyd Wright home / studio in Spring Green, WI
- 7/2 - Drive to near Chicago, Gichigamiin Indigenous Nation's Museum (2-4pm), Assembly circle
- 7/3 - American Writers’ Museum, Chicago Architecture Boat Tour, dinner and blues at Kingston Mines
- 7/4 - Chicago History Museum, July 4th on Chicago Lake Front
- 7/5 - Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church at 10am in Bronzeville; Cubs vs. Cardinals at Wrigley Field
- 7/6 - Obama Presidential Library and National Assembly (virtual part 1)
- 7/7 - DuSable Museum, Chess Records / Willie Dixon Blues Heaven Museum and National Assembly (virtual part 2)
- 7/8 - Final one/six fly to Chicago + Jane Addams Hull House
- 7/9 - On the anniversary of the 14th Amendment, recount and celebrate the Pilgrimage, read aloud the new covenant, a moral vision for the nation
- 7/10 - Fly home
Logistics
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To join in person, you'll need: a reliable, registered, insured vehicle, a valid driver's license, no outstanding warrants, camping gear, and the freedom to step away from normal life for 4 weeks.
Budget roughly $3,000 per person (based on two per car, two cars per campsite, eating simply and locally). We encourage you to fundraise in your community. Your neighbors will want to be part of this. The harder ask is time. Putting your career and routine on hold for four weeks will require real conversations with your family, friends, and employer. It may mean subletting your home, arranging care for loved ones and pets. We'll coach you through those conversations once you sign up. Once you sign up, begin to prepare your heart and mind for the journey. |
