Mni Wiconi: Water Is Life
Running Strong has been bringing water to thousands of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation families since 1986. This year, our goal is to connect ALL the remaining homes to running water.
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Mni Wiconi: Water Is Life
Running Strong has been bringing water to thousands of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation families since 1986. This year, our goal is to connect ALL the remaining homes to running water.
Learn More
Previous
Next

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 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

"We were so grateful to Running Strong for the school supplies and backpacks. Our local programs are operating on limited budgets and were not able to help this year. Running Strong filled a void and helped families who would not have been able to get help."
Cheryl Kary
Sacred Pipe Resource Center

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.

Dreamstarter

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!

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13 hours ago
Running Strong for American Indian Youth

Kicking off DSA 23’ right w/ this amazing group!! Off to trainings they go 😆 ... See MoreSee Less

Kicking off DSA 23’ right w/ this amazing group!! Off to trainings they go 😆

Comment on Facebook

Keep up the good work!

Anpa’o’s dream is to teach Native youth to use storytelling to create more awareness of social and environmental injustices faced by tribal nations across the country and make impactful change in their communities.

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Initiative brings together youth leaders from over 20 tribal nations to hone leadership skills, encourage community, and engage in social and environmental justice.

Learn more about Anpa’o and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters at www.IndianYouth.org/2023Dreamstarters

*photos courtesy of Anpa’o Locke
... See MoreSee Less

Anpa’o’s dream is to teach Native youth to use storytelling to create more awareness of social and environmental injustices faced by tribal nations across the country and make impactful change in their communities.

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Initiative brings together youth leaders from over 20 tribal nations to hone leadership skills, encourage community, and engage in social and environmental justice.

Learn more about Anpa’o and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters at www.IndianYouth.org/2023Dreamstarters

*photos courtesy of Anpa’o LockeImage attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

Dreamstarter Teacher Apllications are open again! We will be accepting applicaitons March 28 through June 16, 2023. Apply or learn more at indianyouth.org/dreamstarterteacher

#AmericanIndian #AmericanIndianMovement #nativeamericanculture
... See MoreSee Less

Dreamstarter Teacher Apllications are open again! We will be accepting applicaitons March 28 through June 16, 2023. Apply or learn more at indianyouth.org/dreamstarterteacher

#AmericanIndian #AmericanIndianMovement #NativeAmericanCulture

Comment on Facebook

Kiara Shanice Lomaomva-Lomayokva Lomaomva Textiles

Dive into World Water Day, a celebration of our most precious resource and a reminder that 2 billion people still lack safe water access. Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is on a mission to provide Pine Ridge residents with clean, safe H2O! Your generous drops in our bucket can make a huge splash! Discover how you can be part of this life-saving wave of change here: indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programs/clean-water/https://indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-progra...

#runningstrong #WorldWaterDay
... See MoreSee Less

Dive into World Water Day, a celebration of our most precious resource and a reminder that 2 billion people still lack safe water access. Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is on a mission to provide Pine Ridge residents with clean, safe H2O! Your generous drops in our bucket can make a huge splash! Discover how you can be part of this life-saving wave of change here: https://indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programs/clean-water/https://indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programs/clean-water/  

#RunningStrong #WorldWaterDay

Keeping up with our Microenterprise Development Program, run by Dreamstarter Josh Smith!! ... See MoreSee Less

Keeping up with our Microenterprise Development Program, run by Dreamstarter Josh Smith!!Image attachmentImage attachment

Comment on Facebook

Congratulations!

Sara’s dream is to engage Native youth in her community with traditional food systems and teach them how to use their cultural practices to address food security issues.

Through the Three Sisters Garden, Native students can grow indigenous plants, learn traditional recipes, and have access to fresh and healthy food.

Learn more about Sara and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters at www.IndianYouth.org/2023Dreamstarters

*photos courtesy of Sara Powell

Nebo Title VI Indian Education
... See MoreSee Less

Sara’s dream is to engage Native youth in her community with traditional food systems and teach them how to use their cultural practices to address food security issues.

Through the Three Sisters Garden, Native students can grow indigenous plants, learn traditional recipes, and have access to fresh and healthy food.

Learn more about Sara and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters at www.IndianYouth.org/2023Dreamstarters

*photos courtesy of Sara Powell

Nebo Title VI Indian EducationImage attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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