This Sunday is Mother's Day, and Running Strong reminds us that it is also the beginning of National Women's Health Week. Running Strong is a non-profit organization whose programs aim to help Native communities, especially women and children's health. Here's what they have to say about their women's health programs.
“The legacies of colonialism, including historical trauma, the erosion of family relations from the boarding school era, and the contamination of subsistence life ways have created many challenges for American Indian women. Running Strong strives to help Indian women heal from past hardships, gain pride in their cultural identity, and develop skills to fulfill their goals.”
Running Strong was founded in part by Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) as his way. In Lakota culture, someone who achieves great success has a ‘giveaway' to thank the support system of family and friends who helped him achieve his goal. Part of Billy’s “giveaway” is the help this organization brings to Native communities.
For more information on this organization and ways you can donate or help, visit their website Running Strong for American Indian Youth at IndianYouth.org.
