Our Approach
We Put Youth
First
Our focus on youth programs fosters change across age groups and entire communities.
American Indian-Led
Our leadership is committed to preserving the traditions, languages and sanctity of American Indian communities.
We Help Where Needed Most
Rather than coming into a community and announcing what we will do, we listen to hear what our partners tell us they need.
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.
Running Strong Changes Lives
Program Spotlight
Organic Food and Gardens
Our organic gardens and food programs tackle malnutrition by providing healthy meals and fresh produce to Native American children and their families. We help to establish community gardens, household gardens, and communal greenhouse programs while also integrating educational and cultural aspects and how to plant traditional gardens.
Program Spotlight
Clean 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.
find us wherever you use social media!
The second set of Beading Workshops are happening soon! Make sure to register!
Workshops are taking place November 5-6th, at the Durant Art Center, 1605 Cameron St., Alexandria VA 22314
Each day there will be two classes, 9:30-11:30am & 12:00-2:00pm. You can register using the QR code!
Memory Poni-Cappo, an enrolled citizen of the Kwat’San Tribe and direct descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribe, is returning as our instructor and will be teaching everyone how to create a set of beaded earrings! We can’t wait to see everyone’s creations!
This Intertribal Creatives Beading Class is made possible by a Creative Neighborhood Grant through the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts and an Arts Project grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. ... See MoreSee Less
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Is Pine Ridge Running Strong giving out thanksgiving donations for meal here on the rezz?
Here’s a snippet of an article our dear friend, Jarrette Werk wrote about one of our 2022 Dreamstarters Kutoven Stevens
“Each year, Running Strong awards $10,000 to 10 Native youths and the nonprofit organization of their choice. Each young person uses the money for a project based on their dreams for their community.
“(Ku) used the money to host the second annual Remembrance Run with his mentor and coach Cabada. This time, joined by about 40 others, they ran his great-grandfather's 50-mile escape route in reverse. Along the way, they brought offerings and prayers to the gravesites at Stewart Indian School.”
“They say the youth have dreams, and the elders have visions,” Billy Mills said. “I saw a young man that had the dreams of the youth, but also with the two of his parents, how they were nurturing him to have the visions of an elder.” ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you Billy Mills and Running Strong for American Indian Youth for your amazing support!! We at "Team Stevens" have deep appreciation for all the good work you do 💖 It was wonderful to have you all join us at Stewart.
I been using my STIMULUS MONIES ON A "WELCOME TO PINE RIDGE" project....NOT A PENNY FROM THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE OR PINE RIDGE VILLAGE.... ALL MY OWN MONEY AND ABOUT 10 DONATIONS....PEACE UNCLE BILLY MILLS...
We are excited for the first sale of this season at Intertribal Creatives, the Indigenous Peoples Day Sale!
10% off your entire purchase will be offered on Indigenous Peoples Day! Visit @intertribalcreatives for the discount code!
Discount is only available online. ... See MoreSee Less
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Is there a link to an online store?
We are excited for the first sale of this season at Intertribal Creatives, the Indigenous Peoples Day Sale!
10% off your entire purchase will be offered on Indigenous Peoples Day! Visit @intertribalcreatives for the discount code!
Discount is only available online. ... See MoreSee Less
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#REPOST • @spklngtmblewd1 🧡
#everychildmatters #runningstrong ... See MoreSee Less
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The SPCA does that and same color
Then why do we allow assassin's to walk freely on our ancestors property that was meant to be inherented by today's children!
#Repost • @tpoaf 🧡 ... See MoreSee Less
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#REPOST • @underscore.news Ku Stevens’ great-grandfather escaped an Indian boarding school, repeatedly, by running 50 miles through the desert to get home. Decades later, Ku runs to honor that legacy, and his speed has earned him a spot at his dream school.
Gravel crunches underfoot as Ku Stevens glides across the Nevada desert. The muted brown tones of sagebrush-covered hills behind his family’s home turn gold, illuminated by the rising sun. Ku runs the same trail his great-grandfather did as a child, for a different reason. His great-grandfather ran to survive. Ku runs to remember.
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day or the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It’s day to recognize the legacy of Indian boarding and residential schools.
Today, Ku uses his own legs to continue his great-grandfather's legacy, running to bring awareness and healing to those impacted by Indian boarding schools.
“He ran for his life, but I run to preserve and to remember him,” Ku said. “His need to get back to his family allowed me to share his story and other stories like his on a national level.”
In August, Ku held the second annual Remembrance Run, to honor the children who survived Indian boarding schools and to remember those who never made it home.
Link to full story in bio
Reporting and photos by @jarrette_werk via @underscore.news / @report4america
To learn more about the Remaining Native documentary, please visit @schh_films
#UnderscoreNews #OrangeShirtDay #BoardingSchools #ResidentialSchools
#EveryChildMatters #Indigenous #NativeAmerican ... See MoreSee Less
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Powerful Tribute
#Repost • @schh_films Today is #OrangeShirtDay an Indigenous led movement meant to raise awareness and remember those who have been impacted by the traumatic legacy of Indian Boarding Schools.
As we work alongside others to create spaces and forums to find healing, we are reminded of the strength and resilience of our ancestors and through those memories we can work towards a future for the next seven generations which will celebrate and champion Indigenous people and our vibrant culture across all of turtle island.
We are so grateful for the opportunity we had to capture the 2022 Remembrance run which brought hundreds of people together to honor the children who attended the Stewart Indian school and loved ones whose families have been impacted by the brutal policy of forceful assimilation.
🧡🧡
For resources and more information please follow @nabshc
📸 @jarrette_werk ... See MoreSee Less
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🧡🧡🧡🧡
#Repost • @dawnmjjo4 Every single one of your Indigenous friends is either a residential school survivor, a survivors child, or a survivors grandchild.
EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
#everychildmatters #OrangeShirtDay
@every.child.matters.canada
@runstrong4aiy ... See MoreSee Less
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