welcome to Wings!
we’re runners at heart.
We believe in the power of Native running to uplift Indigenous minds, hearts, communities and culture.
#TakeFlight with us!
our mission
Inspired by the cultural legacy of Native runners, Wings ensures Native youth enrich their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness.
our vision
We believe in a world in which all Native children have access to movement, culture and allies to help them become inspirational leaders that elevate their communities towards wellness, solidarity and opportunity.
run with us
Wings empowers Native youth through programs that combine movement and cultural education — using running as a catalyst for health, leadership, and identity. For more than 35 years, we’ve reached tens of thousands of youth across Indian Country with free, high-quality experiences designed to inspire achievement and strengthen community bonds.
wind messengers
The Wind Messengers Program represents the community pillar and serves as the connective circle that expands our impact into new Tribal communities, particularly those where running traditions have been interrupted or where wellness systems need strengthening. This community-centered circle is essential because youth athletic programs alone cannot restore cultural practices at scale. Sustainable cultural revitalization requires whole-community participation, elder knowledge, land connection, and shared purpose. By integrating fellowships, trail restoration, community run clubs, and prayer runs, the Wind Messengers Program creates an ecosystem rather than a single intervention.
Wind Messengers
national team
Every winter since 1988, Wings of America has sponsored a team of the fastest young runners from across Indian Country to compete at a national level. Through their performance at post season championship races, these young Native athletes prove they are ready to compete at the highest level of competition. After nearly four decades of sponsoring the team, hundreds of Wings National team members have used this opportunity to grab the attention and trust of college coaches. They elevate their running goals and proudly represent their respective tribal nations on a national stage. At least half-a-dozen of Wings National Team members have earned spots on teams to represent the United States and their tribal nations on an international level.
National Team
leadership academy
In June of each year Wings hosts a 6 day leadership training for high school and college aged Native youth. These individuals are trained to serve as powerful role models, embodying a commitment to giving back to their communities and honoring their cultural heritage, while gaining friends, knowledge, and inspiration to become better athletes, students, and role models. Historically, most of these youth include state champions, national qualifiers, and even athletes who have competed on the world stage. After the camp, Wings employs these student-athletes to facilitate the summer Running & Fitness Camps across Indian Country. Two teams are created of student-athlete facilitators that share running games, Native running history, healthy eating strategies, and injury prevention exercises.
Leadership Academy
summer running & fitness camps
Led by Native student-athletes from surrounding indigenous communities, Running & Fitness camps inspire youth to take charge of their 4 Pillars of Wellness: Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Community. These camps are typically two-days and are hosted in any community with space to run and play games that inspire youth to grow stronger as the next generation of Native Distance Runners. Through running and its history of our Native heroes, our facilitators encourage participants to think about their healthy habits, their mental state and emotional regulation, community involvement, and cultural identity.
Summer Running & Fitness Camps
flight club
To keep youth participants active year-round, Wings offers after-school running programs to schools and community programs serving Native elementary and middle school students. Program leaders encourage participants to move continuously for at least 20 minutes during each meeting, help students warm up and cool down to emphasize injury prevention, and engage them with fun group games. Throughout each semester, students gain exposure to Native running history and other Wings programs. Members earn incentives as they prove their commitment through consistent attendance.
Flight ClubBy partnering with tribal communities, educational institutions, corporations, and donors, Wings continues to expand its reach — hosting community runs, distributing gear, and advocating for Native wellness nationwide.
four directions of wellness model
Wings is the leader in Native American youth running programs and for over 35 years, we’ve provided free programs that combine movement and holistic wellness practices designed to help youth build confidence, leadership skills, and healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Today, Wings continues to expand its reach, partnering with tribal communities to host annual community runs, deliver after-school and summer programs, and support elite athletes pursuing higher education. More than a sports organization, Wings is a trusted advocate for Native wellness and identity, creating experiences that honor tradition while inspiring achievement for generations to come.
At the heart of our programs is our Four Directions of Wellness Model, which recognizes four interconnected dimensions of well being: physical, mental, spiritual, and relational health. This model, developed as part of Wings’ expanded strategic vision, anchors all programming and ensures that movement is understood not merely as athletic activity but as a pathway to balance and restoration.
through this framework:
Physical wellness is strengthened through running and movement practices
Mental wellness grows through confidence, discipline, and goal-setting
Spiritual wellness deepens through prayer runs, ceremony, and land connection
Relational wellness expands through community participation and inter-generational engagement.
our m&e system
The work and effort that goes into the Wings’ programs creates an incredible impact in the lives of program participants and leaders. Since 2025, Wings has a robust monitoring & evaluation system that enables the team to identify key impact indicators, collect data on them, and provide thorough impact analysis that feed into our work on a daily basis.
we measure our impact with three key groups
- With our program participants
- With our Wings Leaders (Facilitators & Chaperones)
- With families/ parents whose children have been through Wings programs.
what’s next
view all eventsCoeur D’Alene Community Run
An open community run for every pace, followed by a shared meal. No registration needed — just show up and take flight with us.
