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
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.
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Keeping up with our Microenterprise Development Program, run by Dreamstarter Josh Smith!! ... See MoreSee Less
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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
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Corice’s dream is to strengthen tribal sovereignty and support tribal emergency management systems by using drone technology to increase accessibility to disaster relief funds.
The Soaring Eagles Project will strengthen the tribes' self-governance, making them more self-sufficient in conducting preliminary damage assessments and declaring disasters.
To learn more about Corice and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters, please visit www.IndianYouth.org/2023-Dreamstarters .
*photos courtesy of Corice Lieb
University of Nebraska at Omaha ... See MoreSee Less
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Tillie’s dream is to elevate the voices of young Apsáalooke women, reconnect them with the land, and strengthen their participation in environmental justice work.
The Biawaatchaache (Good Woman) Collective is a group of young Apsáalooke women who are dedicated to uplifting and strengthening their voices, learning about the connection between culture and environment from knowledge-holders, increasing environmental literacy, and developing scalable solutions to the environmental injustices around them.
Learn more about Tillie and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters at www.IndianYouth.org/2023-Dreamstarters
*photos courtesy of Tillie Stewart ... See MoreSee Less
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Our youth are so wise. We must follow their lead & protect them. <3
Calling All Creatives!
Our Dreamstarter Creative Applications are now open. ... See MoreSee Less
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Robyn Kay Iron
Kristen Suagee-Beauduy
Dakota Murray
Tiana Tavo
Gracie Mae
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McKalee’s dream is to see sovereign tribal nations reclaim their lands and natural resources, and to see the future for Native youth secured through increased representation of Natives in academia and support for young Native advocates in their own “Landback” initiatives.
Indigenous Youth Perspectives and Action on Landback will bring together youth from various communities in the U.S. with the goal of sharing experiences and practical lessons regarding Landback efforts within our communities.
To learn more about McKalee and the rest of the 2023 Dreamstarters, visit www.IndianYouth.org/2023-Dreamstarters.
*photos courtesy of McKalee Steen
AISES ... See MoreSee Less
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Gracie Mae