Running Strong for American Indian Youth’s mission is to strengthen Native American youth by creating sustainable generational change and giving families the tools and hope to build better lives.
We believe in the power of Native youth to strengthen their communities, overcome poverty and systemic challenges, and deepen their cultural identities.
Through programs in areas such as youth development, health and wellness, food sovereignty, environmental justice and clean water access, and cultural revitalization, Running Strong empowers Native youth to dream, lead, and create meaningful, lasting change in their communities. At its heart, Running Strong embodies the Lakota principle of giving back — a legacy of co-founder Billy Mills — by investing in the next generation of Native leaders, our youth, who are running strong for their people and their future.
Running Strong for American Indian Youth’s mission is to strengthen Native American youth by creating sustainable generational change and giving families the tools and hope to build better lives.
We believe in the power of Native youth to strengthen their communities, overcome poverty and systemic challenges, and deepen their cultural identities.
Through programs in areas such as youth development, health and wellness, food sovereignty, environmental justice and clean water access, and cultural revitalization, Running Strong empowers Native youth to dream, lead, and create meaningful, lasting change in their communities. At its heart, Running Strong embodies the Lakota principle of giving back — a legacy of co-founder Billy Mills — by investing in the next generation of Native leaders, our youth, who are running strong for their people and their future.
Youth are the heart of our mission, fostering change across age groups and entire communities.
We approach program development and relationship building with cultural understanding.
We are committed to responding to the needs identified by communities themselves, in partnership with them.
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Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota), is the co-founder and National Spokesperson of Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Since his Olympic victory in 1964, winning the Gold Medal in the 10,000-meter race and inspiring Native American people across the country, Billy has dedicated his life to empowering Native communities.
