Trail of Peace and Prayer is a 4,000-mile horseback journey from Nevada to New York carrying prayers across Indigenous homelands.

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This notice is provided to law enforcement that this traveling prayer ride is a good-faith Indigenous religious ceremony protected under the First Amendment, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1996, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000bb–2000bb-4. It includes riders, horses, and participants engaged in continuous prayer and cultural observance, with horses as part of the ceremony. We request recognition of this as protected religious exercise and reasonable cooperation regarding traffic safety and avoidance of unnecessary interference. We ask that any actions follow the least restrictive means standard under RFRA. This notice does not exempt compliance with safety laws but requests they be applied without undue burden on religious practice. This is provided in good faith to ensure safe passage and respect for ceremonial activity.

NOTICE OF PROTECTED RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITY – REQUEST FOR COOPERATION

The Trail of Peace & Prayer Webpage

This prayer ride is being brought forward by Josh Dini and Gary McKinney of the Paiute Nation in Nevada. Over the past four years, they have helped develop and organize the vision for this first National Prayer Ride, working steadily to bring together the structure, purpose, and relationships needed to support a journey of this scale.

Rooted in prayer, cultural responsibility, and Indigenous values, their work has focused on building a movement centered on unity, healing, and connection between communities across the country.

As this is the inaugural year of the National Prayer Ride, the foundation they have helped establish is now being carried forward collectively by riders, families, elders, youth, and supporting communities along the route. The ride is a shared effort, guided by many voices, but built upon the groundwork they have helped put in place over several years of preparation.

Who Are The Founders?

Photo description: Josh Dini leading a prayer journey on horseback from Schurz to Thacker Pass, taking part in a ceremonial route across Nevada as part of a prayer ride.

Josh Dini - Founder

Photo description: Gary McKinney leading a prayer journey on horseback from Schurz to Thacker Pass, taking part in a ceremonial ride across Nevada as part of a prayer journey.

Gary McKinney - Founder 

Meet The Founders

Article - The Nevada Independent

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The Trail of Peace and Prayer follows cultural protocol and respect for ceremony. The Eagle Staff is the central carrier of prayer and direction on this journey, and we do not move ahead of it. All movement, decisions, and pacing of the ride honor its presence and the responsibilities it carries.

We listen to and respect all elders, leadership, and ceremonial knowledge keepers. Their guidance is to be followed with humility, care, and attention.

Participants are expected to be aware of their actions, think ahead, and move with intention at all times. This is a living ceremony, not a race or performance. Respect, awareness, and discipline are required to maintain the integrity of the journey and the safety of all people, horses, and communities involved.

Before any smudging, please ask for permission from the designated ceremonial leadership, as practices are guided by the protocols of each space and community we are visiting.

Cultural Protocol Statement

The Trail of Peace and Prayer maintains a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. Anyone under the influence or in violation will be asked to leave immediately. We reserve the right to remove any participant at any time if they are considered unsafe or disruptive to the wellbeing, safety, or security of riders, horses, or communities involved.

The Trail of Peace and Prayer is a cross-country horseback unity ride envisioned for the people by Josh Dini & Gary McKinney for future generations of their Nation and allies. It travels from Schurz, Nevada to Brooklyn, New York City, carrying prayers across Turtle Island and connecting Tribal Nations, rural towns, and cities along the way.

Moving at the pace of the horse, the ride is a living ceremony restoring connection to land, people, and community. Each mile is rooted in presence, listening, and shared understanding—from the desert of Nevada to the heart of New York City.

What Is The Trail of Peace and Prayer?

The Trail of Peace and Prayer is a sober, zero-tolerance journey for drugs and alcohol. Anyone under the influence or in violation of this standard will be asked to leave immediately. We reserve the right to remove anyone at any time if they are considered unsafe or disruptive to the wellbeing, safety, or security of the riders, horses, and communities involved.

This is a horseback journey across Turtle Island, from Schurz, Nevada, to Brooklyn, New York. Guided by prayer, respect, and community, it brings people together across cultures, nations, and generations.

Along the way, we will visit Tribal Nations, rural communities, and urban centers, sharing stories, building relationships, and promoting peace, unity, healing, and awareness. It honors the connection between people, horses, and the land while encouraging meaningful dialogue and understanding.

We move at the pace of the horse, with intention and care, carrying prayers from one community to the next.

About This Prayer Ride

Schurz, NV
Fallon, NV
Lovelock, NV
Winnemucca, NV
Battle Mountain, NV
Elko, NV
Wells, NV
West Wendover, NV

Twin Falls, ID
Pocatello, ID
Idaho Falls, ID
Rexburg, ID
Island Park, ID
West Yellowstone, MT

Dubois, WY
Riverton, WY
Thermopolis, WY
Buffalo, WY
Gillette, WY
Newcastle, WY

Custer, SD
Crazy Horse Memorial
Hermosa, SD
Porcupine, SD
Wounded Knee, SD
Martin, SD
Mission, SD
Winner, SD
Platte, SD
Lake Andes, SD
Wagner, SD

Niobrara, NE
Fremont, NE
Lincoln, NE

Horton, KS
Lawrence, KS

Tulsa, OK

Joplin, MO
St. Louis, MO

Indianapolis, IN

Columbus, OH

Washington, DC

Philadelphia, PA

New York City, NY

Route & Nations We Visit

Join the Trail of Peace and Prayer

The Trail of Peace and Prayer is a grassroots horseback journey across Turtle Island, from Schurz, Nevada to Brooklyn, New York. It brings people together through prayer, community, and shared responsibility for the land and each other.

We welcome anyone who wants to take part in a real, community-led way.

🐎 Ride with us for a stretch of the journey
🤝 Help host a meal, gathering, prayer circle, or community stop
🏕️ Offer rest space, water, feed, or basic support for riders and horses
📣 Share the story and help spread the word
🎥 Contribute skills like photography, storytelling, cooking, organizing, or horse care
❤️ Support with donations for feed, safety, travel, and outreach

Community Safety & Respect:
There is zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol on this ride. Anyone under the influence will be asked to leave immediately. We reserve the right to remove anyone at any time if they are seen as unsafe or disruptive to this prayer ride.

Join The Journey 

Press & Media Contact

Support the Ride

This journey is being carried forward in a grassroots way, guided by community, prayer, and the commitment of the people walking this path. Every step of this ride is planned with care, accountability, and respect for the lands and Nations we will travel through.

At this time, we are not accepting any donations. Our ride has not officially begun, with the departure date set for June 30th. Until then, we are focused on preparation, route planning, community coordination, and ensuring everything is done in a good way before the journey begins.

Once the ride is underway, any future updates regarding support or contributions will be shared directly through official channels.

We thank everyone for the interest, encouragement, and prayers as this project comes together in a good way for the people.

Donate / Fund the Ride

This ride is carried in a grassroots way, grounded in prayer, community responsibility, and respect for the Nations and territories we will travel through. We are building relationships slowly and intentionally, prioritizing alignment over scale and ensuring every step reflects the purpose of this journey.

We welcome sponsors and partners who feel called to support this work in a good way—through logistics, outreach, safety support, food, fuel, media coordination, or other practical help that keeps the ride moving safely and respectfully.

At this time, we are not entering formal sponsorship agreements until the ride officially begins on June 30th. This allows us to stay focused on preparation, route safety, and community coordination before external commitments are made.

If you are interested in partnering, please reach out:  paiuteprayerride@gmail.com

All inquiries will be reviewed with care, and responses will follow as capacity allows once the journey is underway.

Partners & Sponsors 

Ok The journey begins June 30th, 2026 in Schurz, Nevada Schurz and travels east across Turtle Island to its final destination at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn Bridge Park.

This is a living schedule, guided by road conditions, weather, community invitations, and cultural protocol. Each day will include travel, rest, and time for gathering, allowing space for prayer, teachings, and connection with Nations and communities along the route.

The ride will move in steady regional phases across the country, with planned pauses for rest, media coordination, and community engagement. These pauses ensure safety, sustainability, and respect for each place visited.

The target arrival is dawn on September 10th, 2026, where the journey will conclude in a closing moment of prayer, reflection, and unity.

The timeline remains flexible and responsive, guided by relationship, responsibility, and respect rather than strict mileage or speed.

Schedule / Timeline

Throughout the journey, we will be sharing daily journal entries and updates to keep our community connected to the road in real time. These updates will include reflections from the day, key moments from the ride, community visits, and general progress as we move east across Turtle Island.

To support transparency and allow people to follow along safely, our route will also be shared through Life360. The live tracking link will be released 24 hours before departure on June 29th, 2026, and will remain active throughout the ride. This will allow followers to stay connected to our movement in real time while respecting the flow and safety of the journey.

Daily updates will be posted through our official channels, offering both on-the-ground notes and broader reflections from the team as the ride unfolds toward its goal on September 10th, 2026.

Updates / Daily Journal 

The safety of all riders, communities, and lands is the highest priority. Participants must act with care, awareness, and responsibility at all times.

This ride follows cultural and travel protocols guided by respect for Indigenous Nations, elders, and ceremonial leadership. The Eagle Staff is central, and no movement proceeds ahead of it. All actions must be taken with intention and humility.

Participants must follow all travel laws, wear proper safety gear when required, and stay alert to weather, traffic, and terrain. No reckless behavior or actions that compromise group safety will be tolerated.

Ceremonial guidance will be honored at all times, including movement, stops, and community engagement.

By participating or accompanying this ride, individuals accept they do so at their own risk. Organizers, coordinators, volunteers, and partners are not liable for injury, loss, or damage before, during, or after the journey. You are responsible for your safety, conduct, and equipment.

Trail of Peace and Prayer

Trail of Peace and Prayer is a 4,000-mile horseback journey from Nevada to New York carrying prayers across Indigenous homelands.

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