Running Strong’s 2020 Dreamstarters are a group of Native youth who have dreams for improved health and wellness in their communities.
Clyson opened a nursery for Native Hawaiian plants where people can gather for lei making, reforestation, coastal preservation, la’au lapaau (herbal medicine), and other uses.
Shakotah helped the Native American community in the Nebo School District area recognize their Hozhó (“Being at one with and a part of the world around you”) by teaching five different types of wellness: spiritual, cultural, physical, mental, and environmental.
Lindsey’s dream was to inspire high school students and graduates to reach for careers in dentistry and medicine. She helped them through the daunting application process as well as provided hands on experience with dental training instruments
Bailey’s dream was to create a safe space for Northern Cheyenne youth through weekly meetings designed to build trust, feed their bodies and souls, and discuss mental and physical health issues that they are dealing with in their own ways. She supplemented these support groups with “bundles” of mental health resources and traditional healing medicines.
Dante began a mentoring program for elementary students to motivate them, encourage and mature them, improve work ethic, and help them practice good mental health.
Samantha’s dream was to start a business designing and selling medical scrubs that honor culture, demonstrate Indigenous medicine models, increase representation in medicine.
Dawn Marie curated and distributed mental health and wellbeing kits for 7th through 12th grade students in her South Dakota community. These resources included local behavioral health agency information, information on addiction, healthy alternatives to stress, healthy eating habits, and life skills
S’Nya helped Native youth get involved in both cultural and physical activities during the summer months. S’Nya coordinated group activities like lacrosse and stickball tournaments, archery practice, and home cooking classes.
Tahnee’s dream was to set up a traveling optometry clinic that visits regional reservations and tribes to provide their youth with comprehensive eye exams, prescriptions, and much-needed new eyeglasses.
Tia created a mental and behavior health support group for Native youth ages 12 to 25 in Salt Lake City, UT. Youth battling grief, loss, and addiction were connected with both peer support groups and mental health professionals.