Honoring our Sports Warriors!

I was asked by my friend Angelo Baca to attend and speak at the Sports Warriors Honoring Dinner at the Duwamish Longhouse. He does a lot of work with the youth at Big Sky High School, he's also a filmmaker and he and I know each other from UW. But he also happens to be an medal winning competitive runner! He was hosting the Sports Warriors Team who would be competing in an upcoming race the next day at the USATF National Championship Race at in South Seattle. Many of these people were once affiliated with Wings for America, a national organization that empowers Native youth through running. I learned about them at NCAI, where I met their Program Director, Dustin Martin. Dustin was promoting the film , “Run to the East,” a documentary about Native kids fresh out of high school who are competitive runners. One of the kids from the film was actually there that night at the dinner! Wow!! It reminded me that there are Natives who are pursuing healthy lifestyles and who are fighting to live in balance. Quite honestly I was bubbling with anticipation to see these young people who were being such good examples of living drug-free and alcohol-free simply by being themselves.   

These athletes introduce themselves.

My dad was a runner in his younger years, and he always encouraged me to be healthy, and athletic, both spiritually and physically. It reminded me of how he would always tell me to pray before a basketball game, and often I’ve found a similarity in Native athletes; the blending of cultural spirituality with sports. All in all, I can’t say what it was that fascinated most about this event, the athletes, or perhaps it was because I wanted motivation to work out more often. I’m sure I got both. Throughout the evening we listened as various runners were asked to share their story and what inspires them about running. There were a men’s team and a women’s team. They all sounded so strong and independent! Yet the room was full with their families and people who supported them.

Angelo's introduction.

When I spoke I asked the team to stand up so we could applaud them. I said how thankful I was to be there and how inspiring they were for me and that their example will bless the upcoming youth even if they themselves can’t tell yet. I said how their stories made me think of people like Billy Mills, youth like Shoni Schimmel, and the long history of Native athletic games like Lacrosse. These runners are part of that history and although they’re young, they're making that history every day, and every time they compete. I thanked them for coming to the Pacific Northwest to share their talent and it’s my sincere hope for them to continue to be successful and to keep pushing themselves. In a way I feel like they are doing what many people wish they could by staying healthy and strong. They’re definitely an example for me to keep exercising, and I know they’ll continue to be an example for more people to come. 

With the Women's Team!