Our Approach

We Put Youth
First

Our focus on youth programs fosters change across age groups and entire communities.

American Indian-Led

Our leadership is committed to preserving the traditions, languages and sanctity of American Indian communities.

We Help Where Needed Most

Rather than coming into a community and announcing what we will do, we listen to what our partners tell us they need.

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.

Program Spotlight

Organic Food and Gardens 

Our organic gardens and food programs tackle malnutrition by providing healthy meals and fresh produce to Native American children and their families. We help to establish community gardens, household gardens, and communal greenhouse programs while also integrating educational and cultural aspects and how to plant traditional gardens.

Program Spotlight

Clean 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 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.  

Dreamstarter

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.

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Wilma Standing Bear, a revered figure on Pine Ridge, took the lead in conducting a youth focused workshop. Wilma is a gardener, Lakota speaker, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 👵🌱

During the workshop, Wilma showed a younger generation how to clean, grind, shape, and dry chokecherries to make Wasna (a combination of dried, pounded bison, elk, or deer meat with dried chokecherry patties held together with tallow or fat, according to the Argus Leader), one of the sacred foods used at ceremonies. Wilma also told stories about the cultural importance of indigenous foods and how to incorporate these foods into our daily diet. ❤️

Learn how you can help at - indianyouth.org/slim-buttes-agricultural-development-program-helps-green-pine-ridge-with-communit...

#nativeamerican #gardens #garden #gardening #native #indigenous #community #americanindianheritage #nativeamericanculture #runningstrong #donate #dogood #IndigenousYouth #indigenouscommunity #americanindianyouth #Plant #planting #vegetables #fruits
... See MoreSee Less

Wilma Standing Bear, a revered figure on Pine Ridge, took the lead in conducting a youth focused workshop. Wilma is a gardener, Lakota speaker, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 👵🌱

During the workshop, Wilma showed a younger generation how to clean, grind, shape, and dry chokecherries to make Wasna (a combination of dried, pounded bison, elk, or deer meat with dried chokecherry patties held together with tallow or fat, according to the Argus Leader), one of the sacred foods used at ceremonies. Wilma also told stories about the cultural importance of indigenous foods and how to incorporate these foods into our daily diet. ❤️

Learn how you can help at - https://indianyouth.org/slim-buttes-agricultural-development-program-helps-green-pine-ridge-with-community-and-family-gardens-and-first-foods-workshops/

#NativeAmerican #Gardens #Garden #Gardening #Native #Indigenous #Community #AmericanIndianHeritage #NativeAmericanCulture #RunningStrong #Donate #DoGood #IndigenousYouth #IndigenousCommunity #AmericanIndianYouth #Plant #Planting #Vegetables #Fruits

This World Water Day, gift something non one can live without - Clean Water! Many Native American families on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation still don't have clean water to drink, cook with, or bathe or wash. Your gift will help us connect water lines to homes. Donatehttps://runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/#WorldWaterDaye#cleanwaterW#runningstrongt#nativeamericancharityarity ... See MoreSee Less

This World Water Day, gift something non one can live without - Clean Water!  Many Native American families on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation still dont have clean water to drink, cook with, or bathe or wash.  Your gift will help us connect water lines to homes.  Donatehttps://runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/7168
#WorldWaterDay #CleanWater #RunningStrong #NativeAmericanCharity

Cathy and Billy started the Chi Nodin Running Club in Sault Ste Marie years ago. Our hearts go out to her loved ones. Thank you for all you’ve done for Native communities and the National Indian Health Board! ❤️

myemail.constantcontact.com/NIHB-Celebrates-Life-of-Former-Chairperson-Cathy-Abramson.html?soid=1...
... See MoreSee Less

Cathy and Billy started the Chi Nodin Running Club in Sault Ste Marie years ago. Our hearts go out to her loved ones. Thank you for all you’ve done for Native communities and the National Indian Health Board! ❤️

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/NIHB-Celebrates-Life-of-Former-Chairperson-Cathy-Abramson.html?soid=1110714960954&aid=hKn0gqhVIGUImage attachment

Slim Buttes Agricultural Development has grown from six gardens in 1985 to now helping over 400 home and community gardens across Pine Ridge, by providing essential tools, seeds, and training to local residents that allow them to grow organic produce on their own land. 🌱

With your continued support we can continue expanding and cultivate more gardens on Pine Ridge. 🌿

Learn how you can help at - runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/14266

#americanindianheritage #nativeamericanculture #runningstrong #donate #dogood #IndigenousYouth #indigenouscommunity #americanindianyouth #nativeamerican #gardens #garden #gardening #native #indigenous #community #americanindianheritage #nativeamericanculture #runningstrong #donate #dogood #IndigenousYouth #indigenouscommunity #americanindianyouth #Plant #planting #vegetables #fruits
... See MoreSee Less

Slim Buttes Agricultural Development has grown from six gardens in 1985 to now helping over 400 home and community gardens across Pine Ridge, by providing essential tools, seeds, and training to local residents that allow them to grow organic produce on their own land. 🌱

With your continued support we can continue expanding and cultivate more gardens on Pine Ridge. 🌿

Learn how you can help at - https://runningstrong.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/14266

#AmericanIndianHeritage #NativeAmericanCulture #RunningStrong #Donate #DoGood #IndigenousYouth #IndigenousCommunity #AmericanIndianYouth #NativeAmerican #Gardens #Garden #Gardening #Native #Indigenous #Community #AmericanIndianHeritage #NativeAmericanCulture #RunningStrong #Donate #DoGood #IndigenousYouth #IndigenousCommunity #AmericanIndianYouth #Plant #Planting #Vegetables #Fruits

Can you imagine having no access to clean water? For 39 families on Pine Ridge Indian reservation, water is still accessed from a neighbor's home. Our mission is to make sure all families on Pine Ridge have running water. Read more: indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programs/clean-wa#cleanwaterw#runningstrongt#indianyouthY#nativeamericancharityarity ... See MoreSee Less

Can you imagine having no access to clean water?  For 39 families on Pine Ridge Indian reservation, water is still accessed from a neighbors home.  Our mission is to make sure all families on Pine Ridge have running water.  Read more: https://indianyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programs/clean-water/ #Cleanwater #RunningStrong #IndianYouth #NativeAmericanCharity
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