Global Unity Through Global Diversity

Billy Mills was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Although Pine Ridge is very rich in Native American culture and spirit, it is continually recognized economically as one of the poorest communities in America with unemployment over 80%. Billy was orphaned by the age of 12 and sent to boarding schools.  He graduated from Haskell Indian School and became involved in distance running, earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Kansas. Never winning a major race in track and field or cross country, he continued to show promise by his performances in cross-county; making All-American seven times.

Upon graduating from the University, Billy was commissioned an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and continued training for the Olympic Team.  He made the Olympic Team in two events, the marathon and the 10,000-meter run, and the world was about to see the Greatest upset in Olympic history unfold. A major motion picture has been made about Billy, entitled “Running Brave”, and he has been a positive influence on many of our American Youth. Mills also co-wrote "Wokini" with Nicholas Sparks, which is now titled, "Lessons of a Lakota."