Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 31, 2007 16:07:42 GMT -5
Billy Mills shares philosophy on character, beauty & pride
By John McGill
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 10:09 AM MDT
The gym at Browning Middle School was packed with students and adults Thursday, May 31, as a Montana Air National Guard helicopter delivered its cargo. Striding into the gymnasium came an Indian man, an Oglala Lakota, athletic and muscular despite his having arrived at "elder" status.
All smiles, Olympic champion Billy Mills arrived at Browning Middle School via Montana Air National Guard chopper, and dazzled his young audience with stories of their own value and worth. Mills presented a plaque of appreciation to Steve Linder, director of Running Strong for Blackfeet Youth, on behalf of the parent organization, Running Strong for Indian Youth. Photos by John McGill
"I met Billy in 1986," said Steve Linder in his introduction of the famous athlete, "before I knew anything about distance running...Now it's safe to say I know a bit more."
Linder, up until recently the director of Running Strong for Blackfeet Youth, an offshoot of Running Strong for American Indian Youth, talked about how a single phone call to Billy Mills brought his program to the Blackfeet Reservation. Then he showed a film clip from the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Billy Mills was a virtual unknown at the Games, the media having focused on the two favorites, Australia's Ron Clarke and Tunisia's Mohammad Gammoudi. Mills was behind in the last lap when a lane opened up in front of him. In the film, "Running Brave", Mills seems to find another gear and just floats on past the leading runners, breaking the tape and winning the 10,000 meter, earning a gold medal for the United States, in an event not won by an American, before or since.
"I felt I had wings on my feet," said Mills, "and what I took from the sport were two lessons and challenges for the world today. Sports promotes sacredness," said Mills, explaining that people who adhere to the values of pure sport, by their actions promote sacredness.
"I believe in global unity through global diversity," Mills continued. "Now I have friends in all the countries I've visited, and all the Indian nations, but we still have problems; the war in Iraq; meth; but the greatest challenge is not a nuclear threat, it's perceptions."
Mills told a story about "Running Brave," a movie made about his Olympic championship. He said he'd run with the movie's star, Robbie Benson, and was startled to hear people focusing on the actor and not even recognizing the man he portrayed.
Mills told another story about his being at a later Olympic Games, with his daughter and listening to a person talking about "that Indian guy" who won years ago and wondering what had happened to him. "Like a knife in my heart," was how he described hearing the other person saying Mills was probably a drunk. "'That's the way they all are,'" said the man. Mills remembered his father telling him to reach down inside to find his light, and finally he walked up to the speakers and introduced himself, telling them about the records he set and the money he'd raised for people since 1964. And he told them about his not drinking or taking drugs, the same way as his daughter.
"Nobody's experienced broken wings the way Native Americans have," said Mills. "Find your dreams...In this school, in this community, there are people with the wings of an eagle...It's a little secret about how dreams come true...The subconscious mind can't tell the difference between reality and imagination so I put only pure things in there."
Mills also commented that, "More Indian women are hurt by their 'men' beating them - they're our aunties and grandmothers. It's time to change."
According to Mills, Indian people have within them virtues and values and, if implemented, can serve to effect that change. Among those values are fortitude or bravery; wisdom, which empowers the self; and generosity, which empowers others.
Mills then presided as Steve Linder passed the directorship of Running Strong for Blackfeet Youth to Joe and Rose Bremner. The pair received Running Strong t-shirts and accepted the responsibility.
By John McGill
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 10:09 AM MDT
The gym at Browning Middle School was packed with students and adults Thursday, May 31, as a Montana Air National Guard helicopter delivered its cargo. Striding into the gymnasium came an Indian man, an Oglala Lakota, athletic and muscular despite his having arrived at "elder" status.
All smiles, Olympic champion Billy Mills arrived at Browning Middle School via Montana Air National Guard chopper, and dazzled his young audience with stories of their own value and worth. Mills presented a plaque of appreciation to Steve Linder, director of Running Strong for Blackfeet Youth, on behalf of the parent organization, Running Strong for Indian Youth. Photos by John McGill
"I met Billy in 1986," said Steve Linder in his introduction of the famous athlete, "before I knew anything about distance running...Now it's safe to say I know a bit more."
Linder, up until recently the director of Running Strong for Blackfeet Youth, an offshoot of Running Strong for American Indian Youth, talked about how a single phone call to Billy Mills brought his program to the Blackfeet Reservation. Then he showed a film clip from the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Billy Mills was a virtual unknown at the Games, the media having focused on the two favorites, Australia's Ron Clarke and Tunisia's Mohammad Gammoudi. Mills was behind in the last lap when a lane opened up in front of him. In the film, "Running Brave", Mills seems to find another gear and just floats on past the leading runners, breaking the tape and winning the 10,000 meter, earning a gold medal for the United States, in an event not won by an American, before or since.
"I felt I had wings on my feet," said Mills, "and what I took from the sport were two lessons and challenges for the world today. Sports promotes sacredness," said Mills, explaining that people who adhere to the values of pure sport, by their actions promote sacredness.
"I believe in global unity through global diversity," Mills continued. "Now I have friends in all the countries I've visited, and all the Indian nations, but we still have problems; the war in Iraq; meth; but the greatest challenge is not a nuclear threat, it's perceptions."
Mills told a story about "Running Brave," a movie made about his Olympic championship. He said he'd run with the movie's star, Robbie Benson, and was startled to hear people focusing on the actor and not even recognizing the man he portrayed.
Mills told another story about his being at a later Olympic Games, with his daughter and listening to a person talking about "that Indian guy" who won years ago and wondering what had happened to him. "Like a knife in my heart," was how he described hearing the other person saying Mills was probably a drunk. "'That's the way they all are,'" said the man. Mills remembered his father telling him to reach down inside to find his light, and finally he walked up to the speakers and introduced himself, telling them about the records he set and the money he'd raised for people since 1964. And he told them about his not drinking or taking drugs, the same way as his daughter.
"Nobody's experienced broken wings the way Native Americans have," said Mills. "Find your dreams...In this school, in this community, there are people with the wings of an eagle...It's a little secret about how dreams come true...The subconscious mind can't tell the difference between reality and imagination so I put only pure things in there."
Mills also commented that, "More Indian women are hurt by their 'men' beating them - they're our aunties and grandmothers. It's time to change."
According to Mills, Indian people have within them virtues and values and, if implemented, can serve to effect that change. Among those values are fortitude or bravery; wisdom, which empowers the self; and generosity, which empowers others.
Mills then presided as Steve Linder passed the directorship of Running Strong for Blackfeet Youth to Joe and Rose Bremner. The pair received Running Strong t-shirts and accepted the responsibility.