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 tools and preparation looking very different in a modern kitchen than they would traditionally, at the core, first foods have nourished communities for hundreds of generations. You are most likely familiar with many of the featured traditional foods (salmon, pump ..read more

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 and beverage. We are creating a platform to honor and represent Native artists and communities while sharing the richness of Native culture and contemporary art with the wider public. Native artists are valuable co ..read more

In 2023, the Medicine Root Garden program, operated by our partner on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the Oyate Teca Project, trained or assisted 62 individuals ages 5 to 57 in its mission to “help teach our people how to feed themselves by teaching them how to grow their food,” reported director Rose Fraser. Impact by the numbers!  The program served people in 13 communities in all nine districts of the vast reservation on the Great Plains of South Dakota, where the growing season is short. In 2023 alone, 41,752 pounds of fresh produce were harvested and distributed throughout the com ..read more

In 2023, the Slim Buttes Agricultural Development (SBAG) program on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (founded in 1985) distributed seedlings, tilled gardens, refurbished raised beds, built and distributed planter boxes, conducted workshops about food preservation and how to use food as “medicine” to prevent diabetes, and promoted healthy lifestyles and overall well-being through gardening and eating nutritious indigenous foods. Last year, with grant funding from Running Strong, SBAG provided gardening assistance to 655 individuals, including 405 children and youth and 250 adults. SBAG’s list ..read more

In August 2022, Running Strong for American Indian Youth® announced a new, exciting expansion of our Dreamstarter® program –Dreamstarter Incubator – designed to continue supporting the dreams of Native communities for the long term after their original Dreamstarter projects have concluded. 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 t ..read more

On February 11, 2021, the Office of the President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in remote southwestern South Dakota issued comments to the National Telecommunications & Information Administration regarding the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), stating it “provides an unprecedented opportunity to address the digital divide in Indian Country. “The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare how vulnerable our communities are when they are left without basic connectivity—lacking in telehealth, remote learning, telework, public safety, and economic capabilities,” stated then-President Kevin Killer ..read more

Art is intertwined with much of native culture and tradition.  That is why Running Strong provides grants to native artists to create, innovate, and share their artistic expression with their communities. These 2023 Dreamstarter Creative grant recipients each have uniquely crafted artistry to share the interplay between art and the native community. Joe Harjo Joe Harjo (Muscogee (Creek) Nation), of San Antonio, Texas, is among the Native American artists selected to be part of the 2023 cohort of Dreamstarter® Creatives announced last April. Joe is a multidisciplinary artist from Oklahoma ..read more

The Running Strong for American Indian Youth® Oyate Ta Kola Ku (Friend of All Nations) Community Center formally opened its doors to the residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on February 9, 2023, at an open house where the public was invited to “Come see what will be happening at the new Community Center and sign up for classes!” The opening of the 21,000-square-foot Community Center has been monumental in so many ways for the thousands of children, youth, families, and elders who call the reservation home. At the open house, attendees could register for various classes, including gar ..read more

In a time when youth voices have a growing influence, it’s important to spotlight the impactful activism of Native youth who are driving positive change in their communities. Three of our Dreamstarters – McKalee Steen, Anpa’o Locke, and Tillie Stewart— are remarkable young women, each dedicated to tackling pressing issues and advocating for a healthier earth and a better future. From grassroots initiatives in their own backyards to national conferences, these youth are not only sowing the seeds of change but also serving as inspirational figures for the next generation of advocates and leaders ..read more

Across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, organizations like Running Strong are a beacon of hope, battling generational poverty and increasing access to healthcare, education, and healthy food options. Native American communities across America face persistent challenges due to historical and systemic factors, making the support that Running Strong provides crucial for positive change. As we look back on 2023, we see many reasons for hope thanks to the support of everyone who contributes to the mission of Running Strong for American Indian Youth. As we share stories of impact and progress, we ..read more