Thousands of food boxes in one month, hundreds of smart sacks for kids each week, and even one new food pantry…all in just two months to help overcome food insecurity.
Food insecurity has been a consistent issue throughout Indian country. Far too many native families are food insecure. Bringing food to these families has been at the core of our mission for almost two decades. Through distributing food boxes, developing community and family gardens, building food pantries, summer and weekend student feeding programs, and more, […]
2024 Dreamstarter Creative…Preserving Traditional and Modern Native Stories
2024 Dreamstarter Creatives are using their art to share and preserve both traditional and modern Native Stories. Art is a way to record and celebrate Native cultures. Each tribe has its own symbols, motifs, and aesthetics that help tell the stories of its rich culture and history. Since June, these Dreamstarter Creatives have been working […]
Thousands of winter coats keep thousands of native children warm this winter.
Through our Waníyetu (Winter) Strong program this fall and winter, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® distributed a total of 6,000 brand new heavy winter coats in both child and adult sizes for younger children and teenage youth, which right now are keeping them warm on even the coldest days of winter on the Pine […]
Microenterprise Development 2024 – 2025
In 2022 Running Strong for American Indian Youth launched an exciting new initiative as a spinoff of our Dreamstarter Program – Dreamstarter Incubator – that gives past Dreamstarters the opportunity to continue their work with the support of Running Strong to back them. Josh Smith is a 2019 Entrepreneur Dreamstarter, that now works at Running […]
A look at the impact we have made in 2024 on the lives of native children, families, and the communities they live in
The mission of Running Strong is to create sustainable generational change and give families the tools and hope to build a better future. We believe in the power of native youth to strengthen their communities, overcome economic challenge and poverty, and develop deeper cultural identities. For nearly 40 years, we have worked to empower future […]
Supporting the Big Foot Memorial Ride – A 300-Mile Journey by Horse to Remember and Honor the Past
“As individuals and as a nation we have been spiritually crippled, because after the massacre at Wounded Knee, our ancestors had never gone through the process, the ritual that is usually accorded to… people who… lose a loved one. And until… that takes place, they are in a period of mourning.” – Birgil Kills Straight […]
Heat Match – Almost 1,500 applications processed in the first few weeks alone!
Wow! In person or over the phone…in just over two weeks, nearly 1,500 families have applied for, and received, critically needed Heat Match funds. With temperatures at night dipping into the teens and many days not getting past freezing, the Heat Match program is truly making a huge impact for so many families on the […]
2024 Dreamstarters are Telling Their Stories
Each year, 10 Native youth and their non-profit Mentor organizations are chosen to receive a grant to implement a project inspired by their dream for themselves and their community. For the ninth year of this program, 2024 Dreamstarters are using storytelling to bring awareness to issues in Indian Country and celebrate the beauty of Indigenous […]
One grant years ago results in curriculum development, cultural awareness, and now a podcast….all for and by students of Catawba Nation in South Carolina
John Price’s journey with Running Strong for American Indian Youth® began in 2021 when he applied for, and was selected to receive, a Dreamstarter Teacher grant in the amount of $1,000 which he used to create an enrichment program for Catawba Nation (in South Carolina) middle school students. About Catawba Students. John is an 8th […]
Bringing Holiday Cheer to children throughout Native Country
This holiday season, as we have done for at least a quarter century, thanks to the supporters of Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, hundreds of Native American children on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and elsewhere in Indian Country will experience the joy of Christmas at holiday parties where they will meet “Santa” and […]
Heat Match Program will keep thousands warm
Running Strong’s Heat Match Program Keeps Pine Ridge Warm For tens of thousands of residents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in the Great Plains of South Dakota, the winter can often be brutal. With many days of below-freezing temperatures and sub-zero wind chill factors, harsh weather is common on the plains. That’s why, for […]
If we build it, they will come….to the new food pantry on Pine Ridge Indian reservation
No family should face a food crisis. That’s why Running Strong for American Indian Youth® is working tirelessly to combat food insecurity on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Running Strong for American Indian Youth® Initiative We are acquiring a 40’ x 8’ modular container, which will be installed with shelving and refrigeration […]
“…my dream of supporting Native American Youth transcends borders and crosses oceans.”
The Cinque Mulini IAAF cross country race, in San Vittore, Olona Italy, has seen the likes of Billy Mills, Frank Shorter, Kip Keino, and many other international legends of the running world race its course. Located in Italy, runners have converged for years to race in this town at the foot of the Alps, running […]
Dreamstarter works to develop a sustainable solar panel
2023 Dreamstarter Cruz Collin of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is a second-generation scientist and activist, with a dream to address climate change and directly improve the lives of the Oglala Lakota people. Through the Dreamstarter grant, Cruz received $20,000 to make his dream into a reality. With the support of Running Strong and empowered with […]
Waníyetu Strong: Giving the Gift of Warmth to Native Children
Waníyetu (Winter) Strong isn’t just a seasonal initiative; it’s a commitment. Our mission? Ensuring 6,000 Native children and youth on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and others throughout Indian Country, receive brand new, warm coats and winter kits (hat, scarf, heavy winter socks and even a blanket) this winter. The Situation in […]
Cultivating Community: Noah Proctor’s 2023 Dreamstarter Garden
In 2023, Dreamstarter recipient Noah Proctor of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, embarked on a mission to bring fresh, locally grown produce to his tribal community. Noah, one of ten recipients of the 2023 Dreamstarter grant, received $20,000 to make his dream a reality. With the support of Running Strong and his mentor organization, Through Piscataway […]
Wak’ányeja. New Mother Care for the New Sacred Child.
Native American mothers play a vital role in their families and tribal communities, but many face challenges in accessing maternal care. That’s why this year, Running Strong developed the Wak’ányeja program. Motherhood is more than just a biological process; it is a sacred journey, and for native people, it is a spiritual responsibility. Native women, […]
Water Connections Must Continue this Fall
For over 30 years, Running Strong has been dedicated to providing clean water to families on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. We began by delivering water by truckloads and progressed to digging deep water wells. Despite these efforts, many families still rely on outhouses and hauling water. Even today, dozens live without running water. Launching […]
Dreamstarter Class of 2023 – There is so much the Dreamstarters have accomplished!
The year 2023 marks a milestone in the Dreamstarter Academy program, which successfully completed its 8th year of empowering Native American youth. The Dreamstarter initiative, launched by Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, provides crucial financial backing, mentorship, and communications training to emerging Native leaders, allowing them to carry forward projects that benefit their communities. […]
Bridging the Digital Divide on Pine Ridge…it can start in our Community Center
Across the United States, approximately 17 million students lack internet access at home, significantly impacting their ability to study, complete assignments, and prepare for college and the workforce. In a commentary published in June by U.S. News & World Report, U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, emphasized […]
One Dreamstarter’s Impact: Thousands of Disabled Native Athletes Now Dream and Compete Because of Noah
Noah Blue Elk Hotchkiss’ dream has always been to see every differently abled Native American given the opportunity to become an adaptive athlete. About Noah Blue Elk Hotchkiss. Noah, a member of the Southern Ute and Caddo tribes, was born and raised in Colorado on the Southern Ute reservation. In 2009, at the age of […]
Overcoming Food Insecurity. It’s what Running Strong has focused on for almost two decades.
Food insecurity has been a consistent issue throughout Indian country. Far too many native families are food insecure. Bringing food to these families has been at the core of our mission for almost two decades. In 2009, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® initiated our food box distribution program to Native communities including the Pine […]
Pine Ridge’s Food Insecurity – What We’re Doing on the Ground
The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces significant challenges when it comes to food security. A recent Washington Post article highlighted these issues, focusing on RF Buche, owner of the reservation’s only full-service supermarket. Buche struggles to keep prices affordable as inflation and supply chain disruptions drive costs up. With unemployment near 80% and over half […]
Dreamstarter Teachers Making an Impact in Native Classrooms
Running Strong for American Indian Youth® introduced our Dreamstarter Teacher grant program in 2017. This program aims to support the dreams of Native youth by awarding their teachers, librarians, and other educators grants of up to $5,000 to fulfill the unmet needs of their Native students. Since its inception, many educators have had a significant […]
Meeting Basic Needs in Tribal Communities
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss, along with feminine hygiene products, are basic needs that are simply unaffordable for too many Native American families and women when rent and utility bills are due, and food must be put on the table. In 2015, Running Strong for American Indian Youth initiated the “SmileStrong” dental health program. The […]
Smart Sacks Backpack Program Feeds Hundreds each week
Nearly 100% of children living on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation qualify for the free federal meals program. This means that while in school students have access to breakfast and lunch regardless of cost. But what about the weekends? With an annual median income of just over $18,000, Cheyenne River families are often forced to […]
Fighting Child Hunger through the Summer Feeding Program
By the time our 10-week Summer Youth Feeding Program (SYFP), which began on June 3 and ends this Friday, August 9, 19,600 meals and “take-n-go” snack bags will have been distributed – all in just 49 weekdays! The program served approximately 200 children and youth daily at three locations on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian […]
Introducing 2024-2025 Dreamstarter Teachers: Today’s Teachers, Tomorrow’s Leaders
Running Strong for American Indian Youth is excited to announce the 2024-2025 Dreamstarter Teacher grant recipients! This year, we have selected 12 educators to receive grants of up to $5,000 that will be used to make a lasting change in their students’ lives. Projects this year will include school gardens, Indigenous-focused curriculum, cultural sensitivity training, […]
StudyStrong…9000 Backpacks for 9000 Students
Beginning this month, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® will begin shipping 9,000 elementary and junior high school backpacks filled with school supplies to tribal communities throughout Indian Country to ensure that thousands of Native American students are prepared and ready for the first day of a new school year. Through our StudyStrong program, we […]
Celebrating 60 Years of Dreams: Billy Mills’ Return to the 2024 Olympics
“Look at Mills! Look at Mills!” 60 years ago, the announcers’ voices rang out as Billy Mills, a virtually unknown contender, sprinted into first place taking Gold in the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in one of the greatest Olympic victory upsets to date. At the finish line Billy Mills found success and […]
