Rising Hearts November Blog Updates
Happy Native American Heritage Month! Fall season is always a busy season. Friendly reminder, friends and community! Indigenous Peoples are putting in the heart work year round,
But now that Native Heritage Month is HERE - if you’ve been planning on hosting some sort of event that involves Indigenous voices, your invites and planning should’ve gone out weeks or even months ago! I know last minute opportunities can happen, that’s understandable and all of it is within reason, understanding and compassion. If you are hosting an event, be sure you’re checking these boxes at a minimum (and this goes beyond opportunities outside of these months and for Indigenous Peoples):
+ Do the outreach and your research
+ Have a budget (if asking for free labor and energy, be transparent, let them decide)
+ Let Indigenous voices be part of the planning
+ Be sure to evaluate internally, your DEI policies, hiring policies and opportunities that are available or not available, Board / Council representation, for Indigenous, POC, underrepresented bodies, especially if you’re a brand/company (we do wonder, and a lot of the time, we do ask)
+ Transparency and honesty
+ Begin the planning early on, include in in the next FY Budget
+ If virtual, still pay, if in person, pay and support with travel/lodging support if you can, product support too if desired
+ A true understanding of the person you are asking and / or the organization / group they represent - their heart work and passion
+ Don’t take offense if we have to say no (I’m sure we can help recommend others too! I’ve received some rude responses when I’ve had to say no, they acted like they were doing me a favor… 🙄)
That’s my minimum list, would love to hear from community, what is on your checklist when being approached to speaking opportunities and event collaborations!
Reminder, we have 4 Indigenous runners at the 2024 New York City Marathon this year, scroll down, learn more! Donate to Kali and Jordan’s efforts for a meaningful program that will hopefully make an impact for families and loved ones needing financial support.
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
Coming to Lenapehoking Lands!
We are running with purpose and so excited to be getting to that start line with so many other Native runners from Native Strength Revolution, Native Women Running and many others participating that we may not know about.
To learn more about who we are, our why and purpose for coming together, visit www.risinghearts.org/rh-nycmarathon. Over the next month, we will be rolling out more spotlight content of our runners!
Tentative Schedule of Events:
+ 11/1: Meet and Greet: Location: 350 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Itinerary: + Welcome everyone + Land Blessing + Blessing of Runners + Drum group + Meet and greet + Sign making
+ 11/1: 4pm Parade of Nations | Opening Ceremonies for NYC Marathon (More details TBD)
+ 11/2: Collaborating with Native Strength Revolution to participate in their morning shakeout run and meditation session!
8am: Shakeout running with Native Strength Revolution | Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian.
1 Bowling Green, NY, NY 10004
10am: PreHab/Mobility/ Recovery/ Rest Class @ Lifetime Fitness Wall Street, 29 New St, New York, NY 10005 (5 min walk)
+ Organizing special CHEER SPOT on marathon route for all Indigenous runners and friends to see their family, loved ones and friends! Stay tuned.
YOU ARE LOVED FUNDRAISER
FUNDRAISER FOR LOVED ONES AND THEIR FAMILY:
Join Jordan Marie Whetstone (Lakota) of Rising Hearts and Kali Mequinonoag Reis (Seaconke Wampanoag), in helping to bring more visibility for the families and their loved ones as they hope to raise $100,000 or more, to donate back to the families, advocates, survivors, and organizations focused on ending this violence and creating a safer future for Indigenous Peoples through the You Are Loved community grant program. After the New York City Marathon, Jordan will be running the 2024 California International Marathon to continue fundraising for this grant support program!
The Passion:
Jordan, of Rising Hearts, and professional runner, dedicated her 2019 Boston Marathon to 26 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Since then, she has been on a mission, running for justice - running with purpose, in bringing more visibility to the movement, the families, their loved ones, the advocates, and the community organizations within the MMIR space. Since 2020, Rising Hearts has helped raise over $200,000 collectively through their virtual wellness campaigns for families of missing and murdered loved ones, advocates, survivors, organizers and community heart working organizations. More resources are needed to support the efforts of fundraising, court costs, search and rescue, data, travel for hearings, listening sessions, legal fees, mental health and wellness services, community organized efforts, financial support for cost of living, and more.
The You Are Loved Community Grant Program:
This community grant program is a direct services pathway for families, advocates and organizations to submit your request for on a rolling basis. We hope to raise the $100,000 + to get this program started, with a long term goal of sustaining this resource for community and outside agencies to continue to donate to or fundraise for.
Applications will go live December 15, 2024 on a rolling basis, need basis and urgency basis:
+ Examples of Need Basis: mental health and wellness costs / access, printing costs, banners, shirts for awareness / memorials, direct assistance for family / families, impact campaign / storytelling that will directly uplift and support loved one / families
+ Examples of Urgency Basis: Funeral costs, vigils, search and rescue, DNA testing to expedite progress in loved ones case, MMIR based conference / Federal listening session
How To Learn More + Donate:
To donate, you can start now! Visit www.risinghearts.org/youareloved and you’ll find more information about the You Are Loved Community Grant Program and starting October 15, 2024, you’ll have access to Jordan’s and Kali’s RUNNING FOR JUSTICE page for the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon to learn more about who they are running for, their why, resources to learn from and more.
Stay Up To Date:
Subscribe to the Rising Hearts newsletter - www.risinghearts.org or visit our blog www.risinghearts.org/blog for updates about fundraising, follow us at @rising_hearts on IG | @nativein_la | @kali_ko_reis
You Are Loved logo made by Nicol Hodges (IG: nicolhodges ) and RH Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate
Wear YOU ARE LOVED, talk about this effort and program, and purchases go towards the You Are Loved - Running For Justice $100,000 fundraiser!
Meet the Artist behind the You Are Loved Logo!
Nicol Hodges is a versatile multimedia artist passionate about hand drawing, acrylic painting, and graphic design. Creativity has been a part of her life since childhood, inspired by her father’s love for art and photography and her mother’s exceptional sewing talent. Nicol’s art is deeply personal, often reflecting her life experiences and her passion for her community.
When invited to contribute to the "You Are Loved" campaign, Nicol thought about the powerful love she feels for her daughters. Her artwork for the project symbolizes this bond: a heart representing love, hands symbolizing a mother’s nurturing support, and intricate braids inspired by both her own and collaborator Jordan Daniels’ shared cultural appreciation for braiding.
Nicol’s talents are in high demand—she’s currently working as the illustrator for an upcoming book, Runners with a Purpose, which celebrates runners who make a positive impact in their communities. She’s also the founder of The Risers Hub, a health and wellness platform where she helps others achieve their wellness goals and live authentically through healthy habits. Through coaching, accountability, and her podcast, Nicol is dedicated to inspiring others to rise to their fullest potential.
To learn more about Nicol’s journey and work, visit nicolhodges.com.
UPCOMING RUNS
THIS YEAR WE HOPE TO HAVE 350 REGISTRANTS!
Join the RISING HEARTS virtual team (6 participants will be selected to win a free pair of On Running shoes and other swag).
You can also add the Indigenous lands you're on to your bib!
HONORING THE PAST: Recognizing Indigenous existence & honoring ancestral lives and their sacrifices.
CELEBRATING THE PRESENT: Indigenous Peoples are still here – with their resilient voices and heart.
BUILDING A FUTURE: Creating a future for the next generations to come.
Sign up for the 2024 TRUTHSGIVING Virtual 4 miler to support Rising Hearts and ReNew Earth Running’s kinship and efforts in informing every participant about what Truthsgiving is and means through the lens of our collective, and gain a new perspective, rather than celebrating so called Thanksgiving for the romanticized reasons we grew up knowing from textbooks and an inaccurate historical narrative. Expand your knowledge and become an ally/friend with Indigenous Peoples, support the voices, movements and heart work. We hope to also give more visibility and support those in the #LANDBACK movement and work, to uphold Indigeneous Sovereignty, Treaty Rights, and to protect the lands where Indigenous knowledge can care, protect, preserve and restore the lands to their most natural, thriving being. And we can all be part of that.
November is Native American / Indigenous Heritage Month - please remember that you can be an ally and co-conspirator everyday of the year and your support can go beyond just Indigenous Peoples Day for November. We can celebrate, honor, amplify, uplift and celebrate Indigenous Peoples everyday and any day.
Read more about Truthsgiving from Jordan's blog perspective here and ways to take action and support
Click here for the "True History of Thanksgiving" article from DoSomething.org
2024 Truthsgiving shirts are available HERE!
2024 TUSCARORA WOOD WORKS - WOODEN MEDALS! The first 25 registrants in the 4 mile and 2 mile will receive a free medal, the remaining 50 are available for $15 and goes towards beneficiaries!
FILMS & SCREENINGS
Know To Run: Yatika is touring with The Trail Running Film Festival!
Get Tickets here: https://trailfilmfest.com/tour/
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
RUN REFLECTIONS
Running with Purpose Athlete Advocate, Candace Gonzales
In September, I had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Camp We Run Long in Buena Vista, ColoRADo. I don’t think any words can describe the magic that I experienced while participating in this special camp and watching other BIPOC and LBGQT2+ runners’ crush their goals while they raced the 30K or 50K at Westline Winder. This camp was for BIPOC and LBGQT2+ trail runners from around the county to come together as a community. This camp was about inclusion, being seen, taking up space in a sport where we aren’t always represented and most importantly it was about community. The entire experience was so profound I’ve never felt so much love in a space. For the first time in the outdoors, I felt seen, safe, like I belonged, and I was con mi gente! Not only that I made connections and lifelong friends whose journeys I will not only witness but support. Westline Winder was such a welcoming race to us all. There was one moment that was very special for me that happened on race morning. As the runners were waiting to start, we were playing all types of diverse music at our We Run Long tent at the starting line. La Chano came on and I got to dance with a new friend to Spanish music by the start line of a trail race. My heart was so full at that moment, and I thought if only my grandparents could witness this. Dancing to music they loved and not being shamed for it like they once were. We were laughing and enjoying one another and just being ourselves and it was beautiful. This camp and these experiences are part of a movement to empower BIPOC and LBGQT2+ people in the outdoors, and I’m here for it and ecstatic that it is happening. For me camp was about being seen, being accepted and being in community and it was magical. Camp We Run Long was beautiful and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the movement. A quote that really resonates with me regarding my magical experience at camp comes from activist Sylvia Rivera and it is “We have to be visible. We are not ashamed of who we are”. We are here, we are taking up space and we are not ashamed. We will dance to our music proudly in the outdoors, at starting lines and wherever we want to.
Running with Purpose Athlete Advocate, Jessica Soria Joson
Milestone Inaugural Event
We had just completed our weeklong run with the California 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon Relay Team and I was returning home to return to myself and family after a week of giving to the team
and the relationship building on the path. I was going through my emails with an opportunity by Rising Hearts Running with Purpose advocates for the Milestone 100 mile event in Utah outside of Zion National Park.
It was a designed to allow runners to have the utmost support with camaraderie, fuel, and a lengthy 60 hour time period to complete 100 miles who otherwise may not have completed in a type 100 mile race which is almost half that time. But really, it is a "milestone" event, and whatever mileage you did that was the medal you would get with the standards of being Half marathon, Marathon, 50K, 50 Miler, 100K, and 100 Mile. The course was a 10 mile loop with 1,145 ft starting at 5800 ft and you get the medal according to the loop that just surpasses that distances of two loops for the Half marathon medal of 13.1 miles, three loops for the Marathon medal, and so on., Also, if you officially stop, you can't go back on the course again to add miles. Of course, I wanted the 100 mile buckle but realistically given my weekly mileage of 35 miles, knowing I don't do well in high elevation, and a two month period to train, it would be a 50 Miler or maybe a 100K.
I registered and both me and my husband was able to get the days off. I was looking forward to seeing Zion National Park as heard many beauties of the land.
The highlight of the kick-off event, was the education teaching by Angie Bulletts of the Kaibab Southern Paiute land. She spoke of the interconnected with their people and their indigenous land known as this part of Utah. She showed how to give thanks to the sun and how bring the sun's energy in to power you, rather than how most runners think of the sun of draining you. She also spoke of their native runners and how many songs were made to about the routes to run on when delivering messages between camps. This inspired the race directors so much that they said they would give a special prize to someone who made a song about the route (the course).
The countdown had started at 5AM and I was one of the runners who didn't get the notification to not rely on your phone clock because the time zones were bouncing around. So I started an hour late. I finished the first loop and I was excited myself about making a song on the second loop and got lost for almost three miles because I wasn't paying attention to the course makers. I needed to shake off some low thoughts and start paying attention to the course markers. At the end of the first day, I finished 4 loops and was in a lot of pain. The 2nd day, my pain had subsided and was able to completed 3 more loops but now with a lot more pain. I was ready to call it quits since I already had 7 loops for 70 miles which was good for the 100K medal, the last medal for the 100 Mile buckle for ten loops. The race director said to get some sleep and I could officially stop in the morning.So I did. I had a realization while I was struggling with the bilateral cramping in my feet, calves, and thighs in the shower that evening, "if I quit now, then I would have only been doing the race for the material medal and the not the gift of the process and opportunity to see how far I can go. I woke up that third morning with only 10 hours left, and went back out on course with my trekking poles. Even if I walked slowly that would be one more loop that brings me further than I have ever gone before. I finished with 80 miles.
There were runners of fathers with daughters, a mother running for son battling leukemia, veteran warriors, and runners in between looking to reach their own milestone. I thought my Milestone was to reach 100 miles, but really it was to return more fully home knowing a greater capability of myself. Many thanks to Rising Hearts, the Milestone runners, and the Milestone event staff.
2024 RISING HEARTS TCS NYC MARATHON, GOLDSTEIN LITTLE EAGLE
I ran the Run Crazy Horse Marathon on Sunday, October 6, 2024 with a time of of 3:36. It's not a flat course, it is a trail marathon with 1,033 ft elevation gain. It is a good training run to see where I'm at as I prepare for the NYC Marathon. I'll be keeping up with my training and slowly tapering down the weekly mileage. I won't be running the City to Sky 50k on 10/20 as originally planned. I will focus on the road running work to be prepared for NYC. And now, the New York City Marathon is just 1 day away!
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):
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/)
2025 races are open - check it out!
CALLING ON CHARITY RUNNERS -
RUN FOR RISING HEARTS!
Want to run for Rising Hearts?
We have a givelively link specifically for runners, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!
PODCAST SPOTLIGHTS
Hey, it’s your girl Nicol, and welcome to The Riser's Hub!
IT'S HERE... SEASON 3
New Episode Alert: The Risers Hub Podcast
Special Guest and Ambassador: Carolyne Ouya Program Manager at Futures Without Violence!
Are you experiencing "change" in your life?discussing In our latest episode, I’m diving into the transformative power of change with the amazing Carolyne Ouya—mental health advocate, marathoner, and future counseling psychologist. We’re discussing how change impacts your mind, body, and soul, and sharing actionable tips to help you navigate life’s transitions with confidence and grace. If you're on a journey to wellness, empowerment, and self-improvement, this is the episode you don't want to miss. Tune-in and rise with us!