New Sacramento Office Strengthens Educational and Food Sovereignty Programs Across Indian Country
Running Strong for American Indian Youth®, co-founded nearly forty years ago by Olympic Champion Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota), is proud to announce the opening of its new office in Sacramento, California. This new location marks an exciting chapter of growth, deepening our commitment to serving Native youth and families while expanding educational programming and food sovereignty initiatives across the nation.
For decades, Running Strong has built community and operated programs across the nation, with hubs in the DC Metro area, Oklahoma and South Dakota. With staff now based in Sacramento, Running Strong is building new partnerships with Native-led educational institutions and youth organizations throughout the Western United States. Through expanded education programs, Running Strong will provide greater opportunities for mentorship, cultural learning, and leadership development for Native youth—preparing them to be the next generation of teachers, advocates, and innovators in their communities.
At the same time, Running Strong is growing its food sovereignty and food security work through new partnerships in Montana and Nevada, supporting community gardens and food access programs that empower tribal communities to reclaim traditional food systems. These initiatives build on the success of long-standing projects such as the Medicine Root Garden Program on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation—where more than 25,000 pounds of produce were harvested last year—and new partnerships with the Walker River Paiute Tribe in Nevada and the Crow Nation in Montana.
“Running Strong’s expansion into Sacramento reflects our continued belief that Native communities know best what they need to thrive,” said Sydney Mills Farhang (Oglala Lakota), Executive Director of Running Strong. “By strengthening our presence on the West Coast, we’re investing in Native youth leadership, cultural education, and the long-term sustainability of Indigenous food systems.”
Since 1986, Running Strong has worked in more than 30 states to meet critical needs in Native communities through programs in clean water, food sovereignty and security, education, culture and language revitalization, and youth empowerment. This expansion ensures that Running Strong’s legacy of service will continue to grow—cultivating healthy, educated, and empowered Native communities for generations to come. California is home to more federally recognized tribes than any other state—over 100 tribal nations representing a vast diversity of cultures, languages, and histories. From the Northern California coast to the deserts of the south, these communities are leading powerful movements in cultural revitalization, education, and environmental stewardship. Running Strong’s new Sacramento office is honored to be located in the heart of this vibrant Indigenous landscape, strengthening partnerships with communities to support Native youth, food sovereignty, and self-determination across the West.
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