2013 Swim

PATHSTAR launches its second decade with our ELEVENTH Alcatraz PATHSTAR swim!

Years ago ideas for PATHSTAR began to stir to inspire Native Americans to reclaim healthy lives of meaning and purpose. We needed huge help to foster the sprouting of these seeds, and we asked for HELP–and HELP–and more HELP! And with enthusiastic response to those requests, supporters showed up to help carry the dream forward, and we got to say ‘THANKS’ with almost

every breath. This year, as we launched into PATHSTAR’s second decade with our glorious 11th PATHSTAR Alcatraz Swim Program,“WOW” sums it up in the best way possible. Thanks to Anne Lamott and her book title for PATHSTAR’s perfect slogan ‘HELP, THANKS,WOW’ and thanks to each and every one of PATHSTAR’s remarkable champions.

I think being an Alcatraz swimmer I will be looked upon as a role model. So it’s a responsibility. What’s going to be a driving force for me is all the people that made swim week possible for me and the others. Behind each one of the swimmers there must be 30 or 40 people who are working to make this day possible for us. You have to give back when you receive such a gift as that.

—Karen Elizabeth Wapato, Colville Confederated Tribes, Nez Perce Branch, Nespelem, WA, 2013 PATHSTAR Alcatraz Swimmer

This past week was life changing and the swim itself was transcendental. I will never look at the ocean nor myself the same again and this is just the beginning. Now, I must go out and teach what I’ve learned about nutrition and exercise. I’m hoping to take everything that I’ve learned, maintain it in my own life, and be a catalyst for change in other people’s lives. Thank you, PATHSTAR for awakening in me the commitment to help myself and my community!
—Nellenda Rublico, Cherokee, San Jose, CA, 2013 PATHSTAR Alcatraz Swimmer