Across Minnesota, efforts are afoot to get Native American girls lacing up their running shoes and building confidence through a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and Girls on the Run Minnesota. Through IndigeFit Kids – a three year, $6 million philanthropic campaign to improve the physical fitness and mental wellness of Native youth in Minnesota – the SMSC is providing a $330,000 grant to Girls on the Run Minnesota to support the creation of Girls on the Run teams within the state’s Native American communities. .
Girls on the Run Minnesota currently operates nearly 200 teams at over 150 schools and nonprofit organizations across the state. This partnership expands the organization’s reach to include culturally specific programming designed for Native communities. The grant will cover outreach efforts, volunteer training and all participant costs for up to 600 Native girls in grades 3-8 over the next three years.
“Through IndigeFit Kids, we are working to close health disparities among young Native Americans in Minnesota by giving them more access and resources to lead active, healthy lives,” said SMSC Vice-Chairwoman Natasha Hacker, who co-chairs the IndigeFit Kids campaign. “Girls on the Run inspires and empowers girls across the state, and its mission aligns perfectly with the goals of this campaign. We are proud to support this partnership, which will benefit hundreds of Native girls statewide.”
Native youth will experience a culturally relevant curriculum aligned with their values and traditions, with teams led by supportive, culturally competent coaches. This is a first-of-its kind Native partnership for Girls on the Run Minnesota and among the largest grants the nonprofit has received.
“Rooted in the belief that every girl is strong, capable and worthy, we are proud to partner with Native communities across Minnesota to uplift youth through connection and movement,” said Kathleen Cannon, executive director of Girls on the Run Minnesota. “When girls participate in Girls on the Run, they don’t just have fun; they build confidence, and they experience positive physical and emotional health outcomes.”
Each eight-week Girls on the Run season combines physical activity with lessons on goal setting, confidence, empathy, gratitude and teamwork. The sessions culminate in a regional 5K celebration, where participants cross the finish line surrounded by cheering family and community members. Coaches, trained in culturally relevant curriculum, will help participants connect lessons of wellness, balance and community to Dakota and other Indigenous traditions.
“I didn’t have anything like this growing up. I didn’t really see people like me out there running,” said Nicole Fleming, a coach for Girls on the Run. “When I heard about Girls on the Run and how they wanted to include every girl in the mission, I wanted to be part of that. Not just for me, but for my two daughters.”
IndigeFit Kids is a large-scale effort to deploy resources and draw on expertise to improve the physical fitness and wellness of Native youth statewide. In addition to Girls on the Run, the campaign is also partnering with Twin Cities In Motion and Native Women Run to co-design a culturally informed summer running and wellness program for Native American youth, to begin in summer 2026.