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 […]
Promoting Lasting Change for Native American Youth on our 38th Anniversary
Since its inception nearly 40 years ago, Running Strong has made it its mission to empower and create a positive impact on our Native American youth. Through our programs and initiatives, we have created an environment that values tribal pride and indigenous knowledge where young people can realize their full potential and make a true impact on […]
From Billy: Wings of an Eagle, the Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills
Dear Running Strong family and friends, I am reaching out with Donna Janell Bowman to introduce you to our new children’s book we co-authored titled: “Wings of an Eagle. The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills” released July 2, 2024. The book is beautifully illustrated by our own highly respected S.D. Nelson, Standing Rock Sioux. […]
“Water is Life”—Dreamstarter Autumn Harry’s “Journey of a Water Protector” Event Grounds Organizers in Honoring the Land and its History
2023 Environmental Justice Dreamstarter Autumn Harry (Numu, Diné) and her mother Beverly Harry (Diné) recently hosted the third “Journey of a Water Protector” gathering in their Kooyooe Pa’a Panunadu (Pyramid Lake) community, during May 30 – June 1, 2024. Autumn’s Dreamstarter project, “The Great Basin Nation Building Initiative,” strengthens and supports ongoing environmental and social […]
Dreamstarter Creative Hope Gamble – Inspiration through Art
Hope Gamble (Diné) of Nazlini, Arizona, was just 14 years old when she was selected as one of the youngest Running Strong for American Indian Youth® Dreamstarters in 2019. That year’s Dreamstarter theme was Entrepreneurship, and she used her $10,000 grant to pursue her dream of H.O.P.E. (Heroes of Positive Endurance), intended as a way […]
Microenterprise Development Program awards micro-loans to 10 new businesses
Microenterprise Development Program awards micro-loans to 10 new businesses Our first Dreamstarter Incubator is Dreamstarter entrepreneur Josh Smith from the class of 2019. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses, especially those that are Native-owned and operated. Josh, a member of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, created Micro-enterprise Development to offer loans to […]
Introducing the 2024 Dreamstarter Creatives: Empowering Native Voices
Dreamstarter Creative was first announced in 2021 as a Dreamstarter companion program specifically designed to support Native American arts, crafts, and creativity. So far, we have granted a total of $50,000 to 20 Native American artists to support their artistic journeys. Past grants have supported artists in learning new skills, starting and growing businesses, hosting […]
SUMMER YOUTH FEEDING PROGRAM 2024
Running Strong for American Indian Youth’s Impactful Summer Youth Feeding Program Running Strong for American Indian Youth® has once again proven its unwavering commitment to fighting child hunger on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. On June 3, the organization kicked off its annual Summer Youth Feeding Program (SYFP), ensuring that approximately […]
“Imagine the impact these 10 Dreamstarters will have on the world” – Billy Mills
“My wife, Patricia, and I recently returned home from the ninth annual Dreamstarter academy, where we had the incredible honor of meeting the new cohort of 2024 Dreamstarter Storytellers. Each of these amazing young people has a profound story to tell. Stories of resilience and love, rich in culture, that will amend history and help […]
75,000 pounds of produce and more! from family and community gardens on Pine Ridge
According to the planting calendar developed by The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the last spring frost of the year on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota is, on average, May 22, and the first fall frost occurs on September 22 – a total of 123 days. This means gardeners must make the most […]
WičhičhaǧAStrong – Empowering and Helping Native Young Women
Running Strong is working to address what is known as “period poverty,” a widespread issue that affects roughly 500 million worldwide. In the U.S. alone, nearly 17 million women live in poverty – and last year, about 5.6 million could not afford menstrual products, including many Native American women. Running Strong, dedicated to empowering Native […]
Native First Foods…a Sampling of Recipes
From foods found in old-growth forests to the far-reaching lands of the plains and from humid coastal lands to that found in drier desserts, foods grown by Native American tribes across these lands have long fed and created community. Food connects us all through past, present, and future across culture and borders. Despite the […]
Introducing the 2024 Dreamstarter Storytellers
As a follower of Running Strong you likely know the story of our Dreamstarter program; inspired by Billy’s Dream, we created the Dreamstarter program to uplift the next generation of American Indian youth, and help make their dreams come true through a combination of financial support, hands-on mentorship, networking, and communications training. Since 2015, Running […]
Running Strong Presents SACRED Arts Festival in Sacramento this April
SACRED Arts Festival, presented by Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, is a two-day event in the heart of Sacramento that will celebrate Native art, culture, and community. Immerse yourself in live mural painting. Join us for indigenous film screenings and live musical performances. Explore vendor booths showcasing crafts, jewelry, and art. Discover local Sacramento food […]