Written by 1 Mississippi intern in Tennessee, Mark River Peoples*
As I awoke early Monday from a slumber so deep and intense, I could only focus on the beginning of new life, from the life changing adventure I had just completed. There comes a time in life that you must start paying attention to what’s in your heart. Personally, I’d become bored with the “American” dream we have been raised to chase and obtain. For me, it was simply not fulfilling. In my life, consumerism and materialism seemed to be manmade concepts used to persuade humans that, without advertised products, our lives are meaningless. I’ve practiced diversity my whole life, putting myself in the faces of humanity from the top to the bottom of society, and I’ve come to one conclusion – consumerism and materialism have done nothing for my experience of humanity, nor the soul. Instead, I choose to focus my intentions on the things that are important in life: the creator, the environment, the family, and most important, freshwater.
When I heard the news in mid-December that I would have the opportunity to serve as a apprentice to John Ruskey, all I could do is look to the sky and thank the creator. All the trials, tribulations, and tributaries I’ve been through and survived, had put me face to face with love, hate, pride, passion, and purpose. For, I had not lived a poor nor privileged life, I’ve always felt a deep richness for the natural and truthful. As a boy growing up on both sides of the St. Louis area of the Mississippi River- I fished , hunted, and explored the most valuable resource of North America. When I moved to the North County area of St. Louis, i discovered football, and from that day on – that’s all I did. Even though I never realized- diversity, football, and the Mississippi River, have shaped me mentally and physically for the challenges that I face being a steward of this great resource. In the weeks to come; I will discuss the logistics of the trip, wildlife, spirituality, and all the critical issues involving the Mississippi River. I also will discuss how the Circumnavigation of St. Louis was equivalent to training camp with the New York Giants in 1991. I assure you that all the things that myself, John Ruskey, Dave Hanson, Mike Clark, Betsy Tribble, and Steve Schnarr encountered on the journey are resourceful, entertaining, and systematic solutions on how we can protect and preserve this valuable resource for generations to come. I will also discuss how consumerism, materialism, and commerce has affected this great waterway.
In conclusion, I would like to thank my team for being great teammates. I would also like to thank the Hargrave family and my brother Earl Peoples 3, Charlotte and Cameron for the unconditional love and moral support. Finally, I’d like to thank 1 Mississippi for an opportunity of a lifetime.
Mark River Peoples
1 Mississippi Southern Region Intern
*Field Notes are a new series from the 1 Mississippi campaign, created and developed by our regional campaign interns as a means to encourage River Citizen engagement and to help our interns grow as environmental leaders.