Post by blackcrowheart on Sept 27, 2006 17:02:59 GMT -5
Mills meets with Native youth
Olympic great offers message of responsibility, pride
Native American Times 9/21/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=81\
94
<http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8\
194>
Olympic great Billy Mills is continuing his inspirational tour through
Indian Country, recently meeting with teens living on the Cheyenne River
Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
"Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back to the Creator
is what you do with your life," Mills said.
Julie Garreau, executive director of the Cheyenne River Youth Project,
an area non-profit agency that coordinated the meeting, said Mills and
the youth were able to meet "in such a close personal setting. It
was especially touching when some of the students shared a little of
their life story too."
An Oglala Lakota Sioux from the Pine Ridge reservation, Mills was
orphaned at the age of 12, later choosing running as a way to channel
his energy into a positive force. He tore up local high school records,
received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Kansas and
began to train in earnest for the Olympics. In 1964 he qualified for the
Olympic Games in Tokyo, becoming the first and only American to win a
gold medal in the 10,000 meter race. His time in the event-28 minutes,
24.4 seconds-stands as a record.
In Lakota culture, someone who has achieved success would have a
"giveaway" to thank the support system of family and friends who
helped in achieving the goal. Mills' giveaway is to meet and chat
with Indian youth across the country, hopefully motivating them.
"I was constantly told and challenged to live my life as a warrior. As a
warrior, you assume responsibility for yourself. The warrior humbles
himself. And the warrior learns the power of giving," Mills told the
teens.
Earlier this month Mills spoke at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and
at the Coleman Theatre in downtown Miami, OK. He also met with Native
youth from the college and community, delivering a message similar to
the one he gave the Cheyenne River youngsters.
Olympic great offers message of responsibility, pride
Native American Times 9/21/2006
www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=81\
94
<http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=8\
194>
Olympic great Billy Mills is continuing his inspirational tour through
Indian Country, recently meeting with teens living on the Cheyenne River
Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
"Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back to the Creator
is what you do with your life," Mills said.
Julie Garreau, executive director of the Cheyenne River Youth Project,
an area non-profit agency that coordinated the meeting, said Mills and
the youth were able to meet "in such a close personal setting. It
was especially touching when some of the students shared a little of
their life story too."
An Oglala Lakota Sioux from the Pine Ridge reservation, Mills was
orphaned at the age of 12, later choosing running as a way to channel
his energy into a positive force. He tore up local high school records,
received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Kansas and
began to train in earnest for the Olympics. In 1964 he qualified for the
Olympic Games in Tokyo, becoming the first and only American to win a
gold medal in the 10,000 meter race. His time in the event-28 minutes,
24.4 seconds-stands as a record.
In Lakota culture, someone who has achieved success would have a
"giveaway" to thank the support system of family and friends who
helped in achieving the goal. Mills' giveaway is to meet and chat
with Indian youth across the country, hopefully motivating them.
"I was constantly told and challenged to live my life as a warrior. As a
warrior, you assume responsibility for yourself. The warrior humbles
himself. And the warrior learns the power of giving," Mills told the
teens.
Earlier this month Mills spoke at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and
at the Coleman Theatre in downtown Miami, OK. He also met with Native
youth from the college and community, delivering a message similar to
the one he gave the Cheyenne River youngsters.