Episode 89 - Billy Mills - Lakota Olympic Gold Record Holder
Red Hoop Talk by Association on. American Indian Affairs
Episode notes
Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota (Sioux) runner, was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Orphaned at 12 and surrounded by poverty, he turned to running as a source of strength, eventually earning a track scholarship to the University of Kansas and serving as a Marine Corps officer. At the 1964 Olympics, he shocked the world by winning gold in the 10,000-meter race, a feat no other American has accomplished. His victory remains one of the greatest moments in Olympic history.
In this episode, Billy Mills shares the wisdom passed down through generations, offering rare insights from his grandfather, who learned directly from leaders like Sitting Bull and Red Cloud. He reflects on the challenges Natives have faced in being seen and heard, emphasizing the importance of leading with values and virtues. ...