Billy Mills
Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota (Sioux) is Running Strong’s National Spokesperson. An Olympic gold medalist at the 1964 Olympics, Billy has dedicated his life to serving Native American communities.
Our focus on youth programs fosters change across age groups and entire communities.
Our leadership is committed to preserving the traditions, languages and sanctity of American Indian communities.
Rather than coming into a community and announcing what we will do, we listen to what our partners tell us they need.
Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota (Sioux) is Running Strong’s National Spokesperson. An Olympic gold medalist at the 1964 Olympics, Billy has dedicated his life to serving Native American communities.
When Running Strong for American Indian Youth® was formed in 1986, getting clean, safe drinking water to the residents of Pine Ridge was one of our top priorities. Previously, Running Strong satisfied this need by drilling water wells. However, the need for wells declined as the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System was created and water lines were laid providing access to water. This past year through Diné NaabehóTó (the Navajo People’s Water Challenge), Running Strong connected 13 households to water in these communities, providing 92 individuals with access to clean, running water.
When Running Strong for American Indian Youth® was formed in 1986, getting clean, safe drinking water to the residents of Pine Ridge was one of our top priorities. Previously, Running Strong satisfied this need by drilling water wells. However, the need for wells declined as the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System was created and water lines were laid providing access to water.
8301 Richmond Highway
Ste. 200
Alexandria, VA 22309
Toll Free: 1-888-491-9859
(703) 317-9881 | Fax: (703) 659-6231
info@indianyouth.org
Noah’s determination and talent as an adaptive athlete have driven him to incredible heights, and Running Strong is proud to have been a key partner in helping him bring his vision to life. After a devastating car accident left him paralyzed at 11, Noah’s resilience led him to excel in adaptive sports like wheelchair basketball 🏀 and mono skiing 🎿. In 2015, at just 16, he received his first Dreamstarter grant from Running Strong, which helped him launch Tribal Adaptive—a program empowering Native Americans with disabilities through sports. 💪
With Running Strong behind him, Noah has reached hundreds of Native youth, giving them the tools to succeed both on and off the court. We’ve been there every step of the way, supporting Noah’s dream with mentorship, funding, and opportunities to build Tribal Adaptive into a registered nonprofit organization. His work continues to grow, helping Native youth overcome obstacles and embrace their full potential. 🌟
We’re honored to stand alongside Noah as he continues to uplift Native communities, empowering lives through Tribal Adaptive and the transformative power of adaptive sports. 🏅
Support future leaders like Noah through our Dreamstarter program. Together, we make dreams come true. ✨
runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/donate/?checkout=9248&campaign_id=7170&selected-method=one-time&a... ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you for being a light for others, Noah! You are incredible. 🌟💫✨☀️
Congrats Noah👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
🎒✨ What an amazing Back to School Celebration at the Oyate Ta Kola Ku (OTKK) Community Center! This week, families gathered for fun games, backpack giveaways, and delicious meals to kick off the new school year. Kids from as far as 30 miles away joined in the festivities, making this event a true community highlight!
It’s incredible to see the OTKK Center becoming a space where everyone can come together to celebrate and support one another. Smiles, laughter, and community spirit were everywhere! 🥳🍎
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🚛🥕 Our Mobile Market is making a big difference for families across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation! Covering hundreds of square miles, it delivers fresh produce from the Medicine Root Garden at the Oyate Ta Kola Ku (OTKK) Center to five communities, twice a week.
This week, we brought fresh fruits, vegetables, and preserves to families who don’t have easy access to grocery stores. It’s all about ensuring everyone has access to healthy, fresh food! 🌽🍅
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How beautiful. Wow
Inflation has taken a heavy toll on Native communities like Pine Ridge, where the only full-service grocery store is forced to raise prices to stay in business. This leaves many Native residents with few choices, often resorting to inexpensive and unhealthy, as reported by the Washington Post. 📰
For nearly two decades, Running Strong has been on the frontlines, combating food insecurity in Native communities. Along with delivering over 135,000 food boxes 📦 since 2009 to places like Pine Ridge, Cheyenne River, and Standing Rock, we’ve helped establish hundreds of family and community gardens 🌽🥕, empowering families to grow their own fresh produce. 🌱
We’re committed to doing even more. This year alone, we’re expanding our reach to additional reservations (such as Walker River Indian Reservation) and increasing our food box distributions to 28,000, with each box providing a week’s worth of food for a family of four. 🍽️👨👩👧👦 ... See MoreSee Less
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🍽️ A look at how our Food Programs are making a difference in Pine Ridge, providing essential support and nourishment to the community. 🌾❤️
Help us continue supporting the Pine Ridge community! Every contribution makes a difference. 🌟
🔗 runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/13300 ... See MoreSee Less
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The Pine Ridge Reservation faces severe food insecurity, with unemployment near 80% and many families relying on costly food from the reservation's only full-service supermarket, as highlighted by The Washington Post 📰. With high prices and limited access to affordable groceries, residents often sacrifice nutrition for affordability 🍕 vs. 🥬.
How Running Strong is Making a Difference:
🚐 Mobile Market: Brings fresh produce to five communities weekly, reaching 140 families, and expanding further this year.
🌱 Medicine Root Gardening: A 9-month course teaching organic gardening and selling surplus at local markets.
📦 Food Distribution Expansion: Delivering 14,000 food boxes across Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River.
Help us feed more families 🍎, grow more gardens 🌱, and provide proper nutrition to Pine Ridge.
🔗 Contribute Today: runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/13300
🔗 WAPO Article: www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/08/25/grocers-prices-chains/ ... See MoreSee Less
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