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.
Our focus on youth programs fosters change across age groups and entire communities.
Our leadership is committed to preserving the traditions, languages and sanctity of American Indian communities.
Rather than coming into a community and announcing what we will do, we listen to what our partners tell us they need.
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.
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.
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 note says it all:
"Thank you for having the Summer Food Sack Lunch Program. I have 10 grandkids that used your program daily."
This summer, hundreds of children across the Cheyenne River Reservation relied on daily lunches from our Summer Food Program. For many families, these meals eased the burden of food costs and ensured kids didn’t go without when school was out.
With the support of our community and partners, more than 8,820 lunches were delivered across Red Scaffold, Cherry Creek, and Laplatne — 180 every weekday all summer long.
That’s the power of community working together. 🥪
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Clean water is sacred. For Dreamstarter Autumn Harry, safeguarding it means standing against the harms of lithium mining and fighting for the well-being of her people.
Her leadership is rooted in culture, resilience, and the belief that every family deserves safe, clean water.
▶️ Be inspired by Autumn’s story — watch the full video here: indianyouth.org/water-protector-autumn-harrys-story/
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Meet Ronald Brillantes, one of our 2025-26 Dreamstarter Teachers!
At Pahin Sinte Owayawa (Porcupine School) on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Ronald is empowering middle school students through hands-on, culturally relevant STEM education. By integrating traditional Lakota knowledge into real-world projects, he helps students build curiosity, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking while connecting lessons to their heritage.
“The goal is to inspire students to envision themselves as future leaders, scientists, engineers, and innovators who can contribute positively to their community,” Ronald says.
Through this project, students gain academic skills, a stronger sense of identity and possibilities for the future.
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For more than 30 years, we’ve helped families on Pine Ridge gain access to running water — and this fall, we’re continuing that work by connecting more families to the Mni Wiconi Water Line.
Now, we’re expanding our impact on the Crow Reservation, where new wells, cisterns, and water filtration systems are urgently needed.
Two reservations. One shared mission: bringing safe water home before winter freezes progress. 💧
And right now, every gift will be doubled thanks to a special match — doubling the impact we can bring to Native families.
We’ve done it before — and with your help, we’ll do it again. Will you join us?
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“There is no higher priority for our Crow Reservation communities,” said our partner, Plenty Doors Community Development Corp.
On Crow Nation, water access has been a long-standing challenge. Families are living with unsafe water, failing septic systems, and the daily burden of hauling water.
That’s why we’re continuing our commitment. Through our partnership with @plentydoors, we’re working to install new wells, repair plumbing and provide families with safe drinking water.
Every new well, every repair is part of the long road we’ve walked with Native families — bringing reliable solutions that last, not just temporary fixes.
💧 Clean water can’t wait.
🧡 Comment or share this post to stand with Crow families.
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❌ Myth: “Everyone in the U.S. has clean water.”
✅ The reality is – this is not true.
On the Crow Reservation in Montana, 40% of homes tested have unsafe or failing water systems. On the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, dozens of families still live without running water at all.
“For many people living on American Indian Reservations, water, sanitation, and hygiene issues have been a major concern” stated our partner, Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation.
We’re racing to change this — before the ground freezes and families face another winter without safe water.
💧 Learn more: indianyouth.org/clean-water-cant-wait-bringing-safe-water-to-crow-nation-and-pine-ridge/
#CleanWaterIsARight #CrowNation #PineRidge #RunningStrong ... See MoreSee Less
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