Kathy Sanchez, co-director of Tewa Women United, has created a healing event that takes place nestled somewhere between Los Alamos National Laboratory and a Pojoaque landfill along N.M. 502.

The Gathering for Mother Earth, sponsored by Tewa Women United, is in its 14th year. The event brings together people of all cultures and ages who have been affected by military and nuclear weapons sites throughout the world — especially Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The event kicked off Saturday at sunrise with The Healing Earth Relay Run, which "carries all our prayers for the recovery and sustenance of our Mother Earth," Sanchez said.

Joni Arends from the Santa Fe-based Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety said the group has participated in the gathering for more than a decade.

"We find solidarity in being able to talk about our common threats to our communities and discover ways that we can work together and to protect our children," Arends said.

It's the first gathering for Lisa Putkey, a member of Think Outside the Bomb, a youth activist group that advocates for nuclear disarmament. Putkey said it is important to advocate for environmental issues and nuclear disarmament "to continue life for our future generations."

"What's happening right now, especially up at the labs in Los Alamos and the way that it's affecting the Valley here in Española and Pojoaque, and all around and on the pueblos — it's killing us. It's affecting our air, our land, our water, our babies, our DNA," Putkey said.

Speakers from around the state and Colorado discussed how Los Alamos scientists should focus on treating the existing waste rather than creating more.

Marian Naranjo, the founder and director of Honor Our Pueblo Existence, said it's important to bring awareness to these issues because "this is our place," she said. "We need to speak from our hearts. What has happened in our historical times in our place, that is affecting us now and will affect generations to come."

Sanchez said the event has grown over the years.

"Every year we keep getting people who have come the previous years and become the welcoming committee, and they in turn extend the invitation to others," Sanchez said, noting about 200 people attended Saturday. "It's a time for meeting old friends and making new friends."

The event continues today from sunrise to sunset, Sanchez said. Sometimes people think the gathering is only for women or people from the pueblos, but Sanchez said it's open to everyone. For more information, visit www.tewawomenunited.org.

IF YOU GO

What: The Gathering for Mother Earth

When: Today, from sunrise to sunset

Where: Ben's Gathering Grounds, off N.M. 502

Directions: From Santa Fe, take U.S. 84/285 toward Pojoaque. Take N.M. 502 toward Los Alamos. Make a left at the "Gathering for Mother Earth" sign.

Cost: Free

Contact Ana Maria Trujillo at 986-3084 or atrujillo@sfnewmexican.com.