Rising Hearts July Blog Updates
Happy Summer Solstice! July is here!! We are in the thick of Summer and we hope that you are out & about with people you love, soaking up the outdoors and long days! We have some new race recaps for you, efforts to support or donate to, opportunities to apply for, and a couple podcast suggestions!
We are so excited and grateful to get to know community, create community, create awareness, and help give back to the heart work that is having profound impacts. We are all part of that, together!
AREAS OF FOCUS: Updates
We are prioritizing our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate Collective through our own fundraising and partnerships, to support our athletes in their running and advocacy.
Our Running On Native Lands Initiative is in constant growth. The toolkit is almost done with some notable updates, potential new partners that we are in communications with, and we have created a more formalized process in becoming a partner. We have upcoming opportunities to screen our Know To Run series along with our Going Beyond a Land Acknowledgement workshop, it allows us to meet more of community, help educate, and learn from community. So, we are looking forward to our annual virtual/in person Running On Native Lands community gatherings this month!
Rising Hearts Stories has been created under new production company Narrative Shift, centered, on community, environmental, racial and social justice efforts, important campaigns that shift the narrative, offer ways to inform, and help shine a light on the celebratory moments in community with our partners and ideas we help co-create! The official launch of this company, that founder, Jordan Marie Whetstone is helping to co-create and lead. Rising Hearts Stories, will have it’s own space on the website and on our own! We look forward to this opportunity and growth.
- Rising Hearts
SPOTLIGHT: RWP Athlete Advocate, Cal Calamia!
”To be a trans athlete is to bear the burden of proof that you deserve to play. It is to physically and emotionally fight for your right to even show up. It is to be courageous. For many of us, especially trans women, there is no triumph in these battles.”
Cal is featured in Runner’s World for their story, their advocacy, and their fight for Trans Athletes against the anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ legislations impacting their right to be who they are. Learn more!
Know To Run: Yatika is touring with The Trail Running Film Festival!
Get Tickets here: https://trailfilmfest.com/tour/
July 9th ORAY, COLORADO
July 16th BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
July 19th PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
August 1st ANNARBOR, MICHIGAN
September 27th, CABLE, WISCONSIN
November 7th REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA
PERMANENT CEASE FIRE
All eyes on Rafah, Sudan, Congo, Yemen, and on so many communities experiencing genocide, injustice, displacement, by an oppressor. And we have so much to learn as an organization, as individuals, as we continue to learn more about frontline communities harmed by the dangerous roots of colonialism. We may not always get it right, but we appreciate those we follow and those that share resources with us, as we do our best to signal boost them across our platforms as often as we can. Many feel lost, don’t know what to do, and we believe coming into this space of advocacy, needs to happen on your own. We must first care, and many do, must become aware and educated as much as we can, participate in actions, donate, and more. We don’t judge or think less of you or define what that looks like. We are seeing this across the virtual spaces so much, creating tension, criticism for it not being done the right way, which happens all the time and never finding the right way depending on who is criticizing. We have to foster a community of support and a sense of safety, especially for people who are new to advocacy spaces.
Humanity is in grave danger - we have to save it.
Here are some links below that that we have collected for you as starting points or continuous support. We will do our best to keep adding to them.
+ Permanent Cease Fire in Gaza
+ Call your representatives
+ We are taxpayers, our money is funding this genocide
+ Donate to aid / support those on the ground / families
+ Divest from pathways fueling and funding this genocide
+ Get out and vote
WEAR THE HEART WORK
Rising Hearts x Bakline Collection
Shop Rising Hearts singlets, Running With Purpose singlets, Earth Day shirts, and more to be added soon!
Wasiw Poster Artwork backpack (limited time only): $50
This landscape painting was inspired by Washoe community recommendations of and marks along the Western States trail, and painted by artist and 2022 WSER finisher, Yatika Starr Fields (Osage, Muscogee, Cherokee).
Raspberry Lemonade Boco hat / limited time only: $25
It’s more than a new flavor with our GU Energy Gel kin - but it’s beautiful artwork made by Yatika Starr Fields and now YOU, can run with it! It’s a commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences while also acknowledging that the land we’re privileged to enjoy is stolen. If you’re interested in the Raspberry Lemonade gel flavor from GU - please try some! https://guenergy.com/products/energy-gel?variant=41221151457331
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Siekoya Remolina are part of the Siekopai Tribe (a name that means multicolored people) which is made up of just over 50 families (only about 2000 people in total) spread across the Ecuadorian and Peruvian border.
Their people, their language, and their culture are very literally facing extinction. and the engine of extraction hums on, ever increasing the threat due to oil drilling, mining, mono-cropping of palm which causes deforestation and flooding, poverty, diseases of modernity (including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer), racism and marginalization, and of course, the broader climate crisis.
Earlier this year, they fought and won a historic victory culminating with the ecuadorian government agreeing to return 104,000 acres of their ancestral land back to them. Unfortunately, the current administration has dragged their feet when it comes to delivering on this legal obligation, and as a result, tensions along the borders of their land have increased.
This community does not want to take money from anyone or anything that would harm their land, water, air, or bodies. like many indigenous communities, they understand the importance of protecting themselves and their land (which, for them, is an extension of themselves). But still ensnared in capitalism, they have to find ways to bring in income to provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and education for their families.
So they find other ways.
Recently, they started their tree climbing team (there’s no name in english, and in spanish they just say “grupo de escaladores siekoya remolino” or group of climbers siekoya remolino).
They attended an event alongside other climbing teams in the region. and in order to participate fully, they wanted to offer the community as the location for the next event, set for the end of this month. Initially a foreigner said he would help them raise the funds necessary in order to host (all in all about $1400), but at the last minute, he bailed, even taking the equipment he’d promised with him.
I offered to help them raise the funds, and that’s what this piece is doing. But even if you can’t donate, I ask that you spend a few moments learning about this project, sharing this piece with friends, and reflecting on what you can learn from their example.
The tree climbing team is not just about tree climbing. Because in this worldview, everything truly is everything in a practical, material way.
So far, we need about $1000 within the next week. (again, originally they were meant to have other funding that fell through. And the organizations they sometimes look to for grants, such as WWE, weren’t able to accommodate them with so short notice.)
But I know we can do this. please, give what you can. share widely. Check the links below to learn more. And please, in the comments, if this brought up anything for you or helped you see something in a new way, let me know and i will pass it onto the community.
-Written by Rae Dohar
Move Well by RH Program Coordinator Lex Saenz
We are so excited to share with you our very own Lex Saenz’s new business! Move Well provides movement wellness classes for companies and organization’s employees through dance, fitness and movement meditation. Empower your team by encouraging them to connect with us through movement wellness classes. Our classes are designed to rejuvenate your spirit through mindful movement. Invest in your employees and see the difference in the workplace. Be a part of a community that values the art of movement and its profound impact on well-being. Lex is teaching her first class for Social Justice Partners Well Being Series, Thursday, July 11th 11am PST! It’s FREE and everyone is invite to join. Lex will be teaching an Ancestral Healing Movement Meditation. This workshop that encourages participants to connect deeply with themselves and their ancestry. We'll explore personal and ancestral healing through various scales of movement, aiming to release outdated energies and thoughts. This session incorporates epigenetics to understand how we can unlock resilience and embrace a healthier path forward.
Register for class, check out her website and follow her on Instagram!
@lexxsaenz | @movementwellness_
RACE RECAPS
Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate, Jinghuan Liu Tervalon!
Hi friends,
I want to share my substack account with you all! Please subscribe for free running blogs. Excited to share this with RWP community and further!
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
2024 National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC)
September 9-12 2024 Anchorage, Alaska
$250 in person Deadline August 19th
$50 virtual Deadline September 6th
For more information please visit: nau.edu/nticc2024
What is Footprints Camp?
Footprints is a different kind of (climate) camp for adult outdoor enthusiasts passionate about community climate action. For one week every year, 15 campers join 5 expert mentors for 1 incredible week of communal learning, personal development, and relationship building. And this year, we’re thrilled to partner with @rising_hearts on program development!
Campers arrive curious and committed to taking community-centered climate action and leave with:
A global network of mentors and friends that care about your work
A strategic action plan to bring your community climate action project to life with confidence and humility
An expansive toolkit to grow as a person and professional passionate about climate justice and the outdoors
This year’s camp will be held at Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury Common, VT, a destination for sports, sustainability, and stewardship boasting 800 acres of mixed-wood forest.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more about camp curriculum, costs and scholarships, and begin working on your application!
Check out our updated Camp FAQ and if you have a question we haven’t answered yet, please let us know in the comments.
Sign up for post alerts to learn about our mentors and RSVP for informational webinars.
We’re so excited to meet you!
@majellb
Tag your friends!The application for Footprints Camp 2024 is open through June 30
RUN FOR RISING HEARTS
Thanks to the 11 runners we have, turning their passion into purpose! Using running to fundraise for Rising Hearts! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running! We hope to find 9 more runners for 2024.
2024 RACES YOU CAN SELECT AND FUNDRAISE FOR RISING HEARTS (THERE ARE MORE RACES OUTSIDE OF THE ONES BELOW YOU CAN SELECT):
Orca Half Marathon:
https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Anacortes/OrcaHalf
When: September 14-15, 2024
Distances: Half Marathon
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
Mount Rushmore Half Marathon:
When: September 21, 2024
Time: 6:30am (rolling times)
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/mount-rushmore/
13.1 Half Marathon Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
Lake Powell Half Marathon:
When: October 12th
Time: 8am
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/lake-powell/
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
Javalina 100M and 100k:
When: October 26-27, 2024
Time: 6am and 7am
Where: Fort McDowell AZ
https://runsignup.com/Race/AZ/FortMcdowell/JavelinaJundredCharityBib
100M Fundraising Commitment: $3,000
100k Fundraising Commitment: $2,000
Shenandoah Half Marathon:
When: September 14, 2024
Time: 7AM
Start: Luray VA (starts at Lake Arrowhead Park)
End: Hawksbill Recreation Park (Stanley, VA
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/shenandoah/
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
Joshua Tree Half
When: November 2, 2024
Time: 6pm
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/joshua-tree/
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
NOTE: A few 2025 races are available as well!
PODCAST SPOTLIGHTS
WHERE HEALTH AND WELLNESS LIVE
In need of another new podcast? Check out the The Riser's Hub podcast, hosted by Nicol Hodges - one of our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates! Help her reach 100 listens!!
ABOUT:
Welcome to "The Risers Hub," your go-to podcast for personal growth + self-discovery. Within this safe space, we'll dive into ways of becoming the best version of yourself. Whether aiming for mental clarity, physical fitness, or a holistic life transformation, "The Risers Hub" offers insights + guidance with a little humor. As the author of "Time to Rise and Get Fit and Stay There," my mission is clear: to assist you in unlocking your true potential. No gimmicks, just practical wisdom, suggestions, and encouragement finely tuned to your unique path. So grab your favorite earplugs + listen in.
MISSION:
Welcome to THE RISER'S HUB, crafted by wellness coach Nicol Hodges. This platform empowers individuals on their journey toward achieving goals and equips them with essential tools to navigate life's toughest challenges. Nicol is passionate about witnessing individuals embrace their authentic selves, achieve their aspirations, and create a life that brings them genuine happiness. Join us on this transformative adventure at THE RISER'S HUB.
LISTEN HERE: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-risers-hub
‘Making Strides’ is a space to share the experiences of underrepresented and marginalized communities in the sport of running. Join Stefanie Flippin and Carolyn Su in discussions on navigating microaggressions and policing, sponsorship negotiations, mental health, current events, and more.
We hope this podcast serves to fill in the gaps of what might not typically be covered in running industry media, and we hope that through our conversations here, we can be a safe space for learning and a launching pad for making the sport more equitable and inclusive for everyone.
BIG SHOUT OUT to Carolyn and Stef!! We appreciate you both so much!
Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-strides/id1687742311