Run for Hope

These words are on the wall of the gym at Pine Point School on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota, where I’ve volunteered with Hope for the First Nations for the past 20 years.

I don’t like medicine. I really don’t like to run.

But my sister has convinced me to join her for several 5K runs this year.

You can help sweeten the experience for me and make the medicine go down by pledging money to HFtFN for each kilometer I run.

I’ve registered for four 5K runs this year for a total of 20 kilometers. I’m hoping to run a few bonus 5Ks, too, to inspire some one-time gifts. I’m not looking forward to any of them.

But the money you pledge will go to support the work of HFtFN, which partners with communities on the reservation to help out at powwows and Christmas parties, volunteer at Pine Point School, host a summer Hope Camp for kids and educate Christians about how much we have to learn from our Anishinaabe brothers and sisters. HFtFN is hoping to raise not just enough funds to balance our budget, but also to create resources and newsletters to share what we’ve learned and experienced over the past 20-plus years.

And that’s something I can get excited about.

Miigwech (thank you) for considering a pledge, and visit hopeforthefirstnations.com for updates throughout the running season!

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Here is a list of 5Ks I plan to run this year: