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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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.

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. 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.  

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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Do you have a Native Owned small business? Do you have an idea for a Native Owned small business?
Microenterprise Development program is currently seeking Native American business-owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Oklahoma and within the Pine Ridge Reservation or the surrounding area in South Dakota with an existing small business or well-developed business idea to apply for ZERO INTEREST micro-loans of up to $5,000!

Apply today at indianyouth.org/microenterprise-development/
Have questions about what business ideas are applicable? Email us at dreamstarter@indianyouth.org
... See MoreSee Less

Do you have a Native Owned small business? Do you have an idea for a Native Owned small business? 
Microenterprise Development program is currently seeking Native American business-owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Oklahoma and within the Pine Ridge Reservation or the surrounding area in South Dakota with an existing small business or well-developed business idea to apply for ZERO INTEREST micro-loans of up to $5,000! 

Apply today at https://indianyouth.org/microenterprise-development/
Have questions about what business ideas are applicable? Email us at dreamstarter@indianyouth.org

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

Found these from years ago in my award box!

This is awesome!! I hope the area expands soon—truth be told, there are more resources in many parts of NE OK than a lot of then rest of OK. Love to see this great opportunity. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Justina Pourier

Louis Vaught

SO wish we had something like this on our Rez

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Do you have a Native Owned Small Business? Do you have an idea for a Native Owned Small Business?
Microenterprise Development program is currently seeking Native American business-owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Oklahoma and within the Pine Ridge Reservation or the surrounding area in South Dakota with an existing small business or well-developed business idea to apply for a ZERO-INTEREST micro-loan of up to $5,000 to help get their business off the ground.

Apply today at indianyouth.org/microenterprise-development/
Have questions about your small business idea? Email Dreamstarter@indianyouth.org
... See MoreSee Less

Do you have a Native Owned Small Business? Do you have an idea for a Native Owned Small Business? 
 Microenterprise Development program is currently seeking Native American business-owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Oklahoma and within the Pine Ridge Reservation or the surrounding area in South Dakota with an existing small business or well-developed business idea to apply for a ZERO-INTEREST micro-loan of up to $5,000 to help get their business off the ground.

Apply today at indianyouth.org/microenterprise-development/
Have questions about your small business idea? Email Dreamstarter@indianyouth.org

Do you have a Native Owned Small Business? Do you have an idea for a Native Owned Small Business?
Microenterprise Development program is currently seeking Native American business-owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Oklahoma and within the Pine Ridge Reservation or the surrounding area in South Dakota with an existing small business or well-developed business idea to apply for a ZERO-INTEREST micro-loan of up to $5,000 to help get their business off the ground.

Apply today at indianyouth.org/microenterprise-development/
Have questions about your small business idea? Email Dreamstarter@indianyouth.org
... See MoreSee Less

Do you have a Native Owned Small Business? Do you have an idea for a Native Owned Small Business? 
 Microenterprise Development program is currently seeking Native American business-owners and entrepreneurs in Northeast Oklahoma and within the Pine Ridge Reservation or the surrounding area in South Dakota with an existing small business or well-developed business idea to apply for a ZERO-INTEREST micro-loan of up to $5,000 to help get their business off the ground.

Apply today at indianyouth.org/microenterprise-development/
Have questions about your small business idea? Email Dreamstarter@indianyouth.org

2 CommentsComment on Facebook

❤️

Offering Anywhere else?

At Running Strong, we're on a mission to empower Indigenous youth and communities across the nation. Through a range of impactful programs, we're making a difference one step at a time. Join us in making a positive impact!

Learn more about our incredible programs and be part of the change at Running Strong: indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-p#runningstrongn#IndigenousYouthe#communityempowermentm#culturalpreservatione#nativeamericancharitiesnCharities
... See MoreSee Less

At Running Strong, were on a mission to empower Indigenous youth and communities across the nation. Through a range of impactful programs, were making a difference one step at a time. Join us in making a positive impact!

Learn more about our incredible programs and be part of the change at Running Strong: https://indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programs/

#RunningStrong #IndigenousYouth #CommunityEmpowerment #CulturalPreservation #NativeAmericanCharities

Native youth, ages 15-30, can apply in partnership with the "Mentor Organization" of their choice, to receive $20,000 to pursue their dream of telling Native stories, preserving traditional storytelling, and increasing Native representation in various forms of media! Accepting applications now through January 15, 2024. ... See MoreSee Less

Native youth, ages 15-30, can apply in partnership with the Mentor Organization of their choice, to receive $20,000 to pursue their dream of telling Native stories, preserving traditional storytelling, and increasing Native representation in various forms of media! Accepting applications now through January 15, 2024.Image attachment

6 CommentsComment on Facebook

How can I apply?

Aleigh May Deron Runs After Abrielle Red Dog

Natori L Naylor Victoria Garcia

it would be nice if first and second degree descendants of tribes with blood quantum requirements and who have cdib from the BIA were included in eligibility.

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