This episode features a profound dialogue with Billy Mills, the legendary Olympic gold medalist and advocate for Indigenous youth. Mills, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Nation, delves into the significance of his victory in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which he transformed into a lifelong commitment to empowering Native youth through sports and health advocacy. He shares his journey, revealing how his triumph on the world stage catalyzed over five decades of advocacy, including co-founding Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Throughout our conversation, we explore the values of humility, compassion, and the importance of cultural heritage, emphasizing the role of storytelling in bridging divides and fostering understanding among diverse communities. Mills’ insights serve as both a reflection on personal resilience and a clarion call to future generations to harness their passions and dreams in the pursuit of a more equitable society.

Takeaways:

• Billy Mills, an Olympic gold medalist, dedicated his life to advocating for Indigenous youth.
• He co-founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth to support health and sports initiatives.
• Mills emphasizes the importance of cultural values and traditions in empowering future generations.
• His life's work reflects a commitment to unity, diversity, and the healing of historical trauma.

Links referenced in this episode:

• elevenwarriorarts.com
• indianyouth.org
• indiannews.org

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Running Strong for American Indian Youth
• Running Brave
• Crazy Horse
• Sitting Bull
• Red Cloud
• Haskell
• University of Kansas
• Indian News
• Dreamstarters
• SD Nelson
• Nicholas Sparks
• Wings of an Eagle