Native Americans Walk to Raise Environmental Awareness

Reported by Liz Nagy

Updated: July 7, 2008 06:27 PM EDT

A group of Native Americans walking 3,600 miles across the United States to raise awareness of global ecological issues were in Charlottesville Monday morning.

The group of 20 is on the last bit of their journey from San Francisco to Washington. They're trying to bring national attention to environmental issues that are putting a strain on Indian reservations.

"A lot of the earth, the water, the air is being polluted throughout the United States and there's a lot of issues with that," said Bonita Leonard, with "The People."

She continued, "Will it be until there are no more trees, until the water's been polluted and the last fish has been caught that we'll realize we can't eat money? It's time to stand up for Mother Earth."

The group of Native Americans will present a manifesto to Congress signed by tribes along the way.