Running Strong for American Indian Youth

Native Americans suffer food insecurity and hunger at twice the rate of the general population.

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Who is Billy Mills?

Billy Mills winning the Olympic Gold in the 10k race in Tokyo, Japan, 1964.

Billy Mills is the National Spokesperson for Running Strong for American Indian Youth^®. An Oglala Lakota (Sioux) who was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Billy earned a track scholarship to the University of Kansas and later served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps.

An Olympic Champion
At the 1964 Olympics, Billy Mills shocked the world when he came from behind to win the gold medal in the 10k race. At the time, he set a world record of 28 m 24.4s and he is still the only American to ever win a gold medal in the 10,000 meters.

Best-Selling Author
Billy Mills and Nicholas Sparks co-wrote the book Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Understanding. Now in its eighth printing, the book uses traditional Indian legends to teach life lessons about gaining happiness.

Inspiration for Major Motion Picture
Billy Mills was the inspiration for the movie Running Brave. The movie stars Robbie Benson and chronicles the story of Billy’s life on the Reservation and the many obstacles he overcame to become an Olympic Champion.

A Humanitarian Warrior
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. As part of his effort to give back to the American Indian community, Billy Mills joined forces with Eugene Krizek to help found Running Strong for American Indian Youth^®.

Billy Mills visits with a boy at the Center Pole in Montana.

Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) works to share his inspirational life-story and message of dignity with all American Indians.

Today Billy travels over 300 days every year. He visits American Indian communities throughout the U.S. and speaks to American Indian youth about healthy lifestyles and taking pride in their heritage.

Other Places You Might Have Seen Billy Mills
• Interviewed by Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News
• Interviewed by Byrant Gumbel on HBO Real Sports
• Featured as Sports Illustrated’s Athlete of the Century from South Dakota

Running Strong for American Indian Youth^® • American Indian Youth Running Strong
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