TIMELINE

2016

Wings continues its participation in the “We Run” Hopi Runner’s Forum. The Wings program director leads a day-long running workshop for youth attendees.

Bend OR – The Wings National Team (8men, 8women) compete in the Junior race at the USAT&F Cross Country Championships on February 6th. The teams captured the organization’s 26th and 27th National titles. 4-time Wings National Team Member, Courtney Lewis, finishes second and earns a spot on Junior Team USA to compete at the Pan American Cross Country Cup on March 4th in Caraballeda, Venezuala.

“Flight Club” pilot after school programs continue at Hayes Elementary (OK), the Native American Community Academy (NM), Cochiti Elementary (NM), and Mesa View Elementary (AZ). With the help of pedometers provided by the Albuquerque area Health Promotion Disease Prevention office, participants begin tracking their steps at each meeting.

Pueblo Crossroads kicks off its series of fun run/walk events in Isleta Pueblo with the Bernie Jojola Memorial Run on April 9th. A total of 15 Pueblos will host a FREE Crossroads run/walk as part of the 2016 series.

Boston MA – Wings sends 4 program alumni to compete in the Boston Marathon on April 18th. Wings partners with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and Harvard University to commemorate the legacy of Native runners in the historic race throughout “Marathon Weekend”. This celebration includes the “Native American Running: Culture, Health, Sport” symposium at Harvard and numerous commemorative presentations/panels hosted by the B.A.A. leading up to Marathon Monday. Wings’ top finisher, Dustin Martin, finishes 78th overall with a time of 2:36:08.

Rio Rez Run – Wings and “Rezilience” Indigenous Arts Experience present the “Rio Rez Run” on Saturday, April 30th at the Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM.

Wings of America welcomes its very first AmeriCorp Vista Volunteer Beth Wright (Laguna Pueblo).  Beth will be spending an entire year with Wings. She will have the unique opportunity to shadow and directly assist our Program Director with a wide variety of youth programs.

Wings is awarded a $35,000 grant from the N7 fund to support Running & Fitness activities amongst the Pueblos along the Rio Grande corridor.  A portion of this money is earmarked for Wings to continue “Flight Club” in four after school programs in AZ, OK, and NM.

The 18th Annual Coaches Clinic and Leadership Training Camp commences on June 2nd. Thirty-three (33) Wings facilitators from AZ and NM convene to equip themselves with the tools, inspiration and knowledge they’ll need to mentor American Indian youth they will encounter while serving as summer Running & Fitness Camp facilitators.

Throughout the months of June and July, Wings hosts 32 two-day Running & Fitness Camps in Native communities across the Southwest. 1,658 unique participants take advantage of the program by summer’s end.

Beaverton OR – The Wings staff travels to the N7 Sports Summit September 9-10. Wings is honored by the N7 Fund for its continued commitment to increasing physical activity amongst Native youth across Indian Country.

The Nike Native American Network hosts a 5K run on Saturday, November 12th on the Geoff Hollister Memorial Trail in Beaverton, OR. In honor of Geoff’s love for Wings and Native American Heritage month, Nike pledges to match any donations made to Wings by its employees during the month of November. Thank you Nike!

Wings helps the Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3) host the “NB3FIT” National XC Race at Santa Ana Pueblo’s golf course on Sunday, November 13th. This race is added to the list of post-season competitions high school runners may use to post a qualifying times for the Wings National Team.

December- Wings selects 16 high school age runners ages 14-19 for its 30th “Wings National Team” that will once again compete in Bend, OR in early 2017. Nearly 75 National Team hopefuls posted eligible qualifying times to be considered for the team.

2014

Wings provides youth running workshops as part of the 2nd Annual “We Run” Hopi Runner’s Forum held on January 3-5 in Moenkopi, AZ.

Boulder, CO – The Wings National Team (7men, 7women) compete in the Junior race at the USAT&F Cross Country Championships on February 15th.

The Wings office undergoes renovations and welcomes a new silkscreen press studio.

Wings of America welcomes its new Office Manager, Tiffany Calabaza.  Shortly after Tiffany’s arrival in the office, Elizabeth Hurst joins the team as a Summer Intern

Wings is awarded a $75,000 grant from the N7 fund to support Running & Fitness initiatives amongst the Pueblos and in Oklahoma.  A portion of this money is earmarked for Wings to start year-round programming in 2015.

Pueblo Crossroads kicks off it’s series of fun run/walk events in Isleta Pueblo with the Bernie Jojola Memorial Run on April 24th.

Wings uses silkscreen press to produce over 2,000 R&F t-shirts for summer camp participants.  In addition Wings rounds off its final planning and development stages for the summer’s upcoming R&F camps.

Wings participates in the Hopi Agriculture Food Symposium on June 2-4 at the First Mesa Elementary School.

The 16th Annual Coaches Clinic commences on June 5th, with the Leadership Training Camp ending on June 10th.  Sixty-three (63) Wings facilitators from AZ, OK, NM, NY and SD gathered to equip themselves with the tools needed to mentor, teach, and influence the American Indian youth they will be working with for the summer.

For the entire months of June, July, and August Wings is hosting 32 camps total.  At summer end, a total of roughly 1,900 unique participants were served in AZ, OK, NM, NY, and SD.

Santa Fe, NM – The Wings of America Board of Directors gathers for its annual in-person Board Meeting.  In the same weekend, Wings hosts its annual Indian Market 5k run.  Excitingly, a new course location has been established at the Santa Fe Downs, therefore, making this year’s event FREE.  We had approximately over 250 runners participate, young and old.

Wings assists with the Globoal Footprints youth event, held in conjunction with the Santa Fe Thunder Half-Marathon.

Our Program Director, Dustin Martin, attends the N7 Sports Summit held in Eugene, OR on October 2nd-4th.

2013

Wings participates in the first ever Hopi Runner’s Forum January 2-4 in Moenkopi, AZ. Billy Mills is the honored guest.

St. Louis, MO- The Wings National Team (7men, 7women) compete in the Junior race at the USATF Cross Country Championships on February 2nd. The  men’s team captures the oraganization’s 24th national title in 25 years.

Laps for Life program development.  This Santa Fe based community exercise initiative was created in collaboration with the Santa Fe Railyard Stewards, Santa Fe Public School’s Native American Student Services and the Santa Fe Indian Center.  The program was successfully funded through the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Running is My High community 5K and 10K run was held in Oakland, CA, where it was hosted by the Oakland Native American Health Center.  Wings’ involvement was to provide race-day support and prizes for winning participants.  Through this opportunity the Program Director forged new ties with Bay area Native health and wellnesss partners.

Bernie Jojola Memorial Run took place in Isleta Pueblo, NM.  The event was a part of the Pueblo Crossroads run/walk series that Wings actively partners with (since 2010).

Wings receives $35,000 from the N7 Fund to continue to train summer camp Facilitators from Oklahoma and begin a Running & Fitness Camp series amongst the Pueblo communities in New Mexico.

The Wings Board of Directors meets in Pasadena, CA to review a new 5-year strategic plan developed by Program Director, Dustin Martin. The plan focuses on improving the organization’s alumni network and program metric strategies with an eye towards year-round, school-based initiatives.

Program Director travels to Portland, OR for the Nike N7 Sport Summit (April 18-20), where he presents on Wings programs.

Cochiti Pueblo hosted their Pueblo Crossroads run/walk  on May 18, 2013.  In addition to the run/walk a community health fair was held.

Wings receives a $2,500 grant from the New Mexico Children’s Foundation to host a summer Running & Fitness at Zuni, NM through 2014.

Wings hosts the 15th annual “Indian Running” Coaches Clinic in Albuquerque, NM. Featured guests include author Peter Nabokov, Coach Jon Clemens, Steve “King of the Mountain” Gachupin, Coach Jim Ciccarello and Miss Navajo Nation, Leandra “Abby” Thomas.

Wings trains 35 youth from 22 different Indian Nations to serve as summer Running & Fitness Camp Facilitators at the organization’s annual Leadership Training in the mountains above Santa Fe, NM.

Wings Facilitators conduct 27 FREE two-day Running & Fitness Camps for kids ages 6-18 in Native communities from New York to Arizona. The Navajo Nation remains the most expansive service area with 14 camps. 1,393 unique participants benefit from the series.

Wings receives a $2,000 grant from the New York Road Runners Foundation AND Running Strong for American Indian Youth to help with the Indian Market 5K held in Santa Fe each August.

Laps for Life kick-off event happened on May 20th in Santa Fe, NM.

Wings celebrates the organization’s 25th anniversary with a fundraising gala hosted by former Board Director, Letitia Chambers during Indian Market weekend in Santa Fe. Founders Will Channing, Oren Lyons and Ando Hixon are honored. Billy Mills, N. Scott Momaday and Chance Rush speak on behalf of the organization. Just over $20,000 is raised to augment Wings initiatives.

Nearly 100 high-school-aged student-athletes post qualifying times at regional championship races around the country with hopes of being selected for the 2014 Wings National Team. Wings helps runners from South Dakota, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma and Michigan make it to their qualifying races.

Wings receives a $50,000 donation from a private donor to further the organizations programmatic agenda in 2014

2012

St. Louis, MOWings Junior men’s team captures a FIRST place title, Wings Jr. women capture third place title at the USATF National Cross Country Championships. Wings of America teams now hold 24 National USATF Titles.

Wings goes back to the Hopi Reservation and sponsors the Hakintonmuya Hopi Relays.  The Wings of America relay team comes in third place overall: Ronald Hicks, Caroline Sekaquaptewa, Michael Russell and Martina Dawley.

Wings Alumni, Alvina Begay, competes at the Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meter race in Eugene, OR.  July 22nd.

Wings receives a $10,000 grant from N7 to train facilitators from Oklahoma.

Wings receives a $25,000 donation from Ambrose Monell Foundation.

Wings of America announces new Board member:

  • Wendy Hollister, wife of the late Geoff Hollister (Nike marketing pioneer and long-time Wings supporter), signs on to continue her family’s legacy of giving to the organization. Wendy currently works for Nike, Inc., a 25 yr veteran (6.5 yrs were spent working at Nike’s Asia Pacific HQ in Hong Kong). Position includes: advertising, promotions, catalog production, EKIN technical training, Event Management, Direct and indirect Retail store implementation and remodels. Since here husband passed in early 2012, she has made it a priority in life to manage, educate and keep the legacy of Geoff Hollister alive.

Wings conducts three 2-day Running & Fitness camps in Oklahoma: Riverside Indian School in Anadarko OK; John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City; and Otoe- Missouri Tribal Campus in Red Rock, OK.

 


2011

San Diego, CAWings Jr. men’s team capture second place title at the USATF National Cross Country Championships. Wings Jr. women’s team places third.

Documentary “Run to the East” by Moxie Pictures, is released with film screenings across the country.

Julia Foster (Jemez Mohawk, Navajo), finished 8th overall at USATF earning her a spot on the Team USA for the North American and Caribbean Championships (NACAC) to be help in Trinidad and Tobago February 19th.

Rolonda Jumbo (Navajo), receives the “alternate” position for NACAC finishing 12th overall at USATF.

Wings of America partners with the Santa Fe Indian Center (SFIC), Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), and the Santa Fe Public Schools Indian Education Program (SFPSIEP) for a community event, “Indian Summer: American Indian Community Day”, and is declared a “Indian Summer Proclamation” from Mayor David Coss.

Wings of America announces two new Board of Directors:

  • Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota (Sioux), 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 10,000 meter race. Billy is the National Spokesperson for Running Strong for American Indian Youth. He earned a track scholarship to the University of Kansas and later served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Billy was also a board member when Wings of America first started in 1988.
  • Joann K. Chase, Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara, was born and raised on the Fort Berthold Indian reservation in central North Dakota. Her outstanding bio includes undergraduate work at Boston University; a legislative fellowship with Congresswoman Barbara Boxer, and a law degree from the University of New Mexico.

OctoberWings hires full-time Program Director, Dustin Q. Martin. Dustin is a Wings alumni participating in the USATF Junior Cross Country Championships in 2006/2007 and becoming a Running & Fitness camp facilitator in 2008/2009. Recent graduate of Columbia University in NY, 2011. He has dedicated himself to embracing and redirecting all of Wings programs.


2010

Spokane, WAWings Jr. men’s team capture another second place title at the USATF National Cross Country Championships. Jr. women’s team places third.

MarchWings of America hires alumni, Shaun Martin, as Program Director.Shaun is the Cross Country Coach and teacher at Chinle High School (AZ) with several state title championships under their belt. Shaun is a dedicated marathon runner and father.

Wings served over 4,500 American Indian youth and family through community run/walks up and down the Rio Grande corridor onh most of teh 19 Pueblos in NM. Wings establishes partnerships with Pueblo Crossroads, National Indian Youth Leadership Project, Eight Northern Indian Pueblo Agency (ENIPC), and other programs in the surrounding Native communities.

Wings partners with the Santa Fe Indian Schools (SFIS) to host the Wings of America – Indian Market Run.

Santa Fe Indian Education Department partners with Wings of America for the first “Santa Fe Family Community Day Fun Run/Walk”.


2009

Derwood, MDWings Jr. men’s team capture the second place honors at the USATF National Cross Country Championships.

Rolonda Jumbo (Navajo), age 15, from Chinle, AZ places 9th for the Jr. women’s team and is selected to represent Team USA at the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Cross Country Championships at Chain of Lakes Park in Orlando, Florida on March 7, 2009.

NACAC Championships: Rolonda Jumbo finished 11th running 3:47 respectively to complete the team score for Team USA.

Moxie Pictures begins filming three of our Wings runners and facilitators throughout their senior years in high school: Dillon Shije, Chantel Hunt, and Thomas Martinez.


2008

San Diego, CAWings Junior men and women will make a 20th appearance at the USATF Cross Country Championships.

New York Times Articles “Running from Despair” is published and brings donations in from the Eastern states.

Moxie Pictures meets with the Board of Directors to discuss the opportunity to film Wings facilitators at the R&F camps on the Navajo Reservation. Interest comes from the New York Times Article “Running from Despair”.

Wings hires full-time Administrative Assistant, Delight Talawepi. Delight is from the Hopi reservation with experience in the non-profit sector.


2007

Boulder, COWings Junior Men’s team defends their title at the USATF National Cross Country Championships.


2006

New York City, NYWings Junior Men’s team continue their dominance with another team title at the USATF National Cross Country Championships.


2005

Vancouver, WAWings Junior Men’s team yet another team title at the USATF National Cross Country Championships.


2004

Indianapolis, INWings junior men capture 1st team place, junior women’s team takes 2nd at the USATF National Cross Country Championships. Wings teams have accumulated 17 national championships in 16 years. Former Wings’ runner, Forrest Tahdooahnippah finishes 4th overall and earns a spot on the USA World Cross Country Team.

John McGuire, Wings runner, finishes 8th at Footlocker Midwest regionals and 4th at Footlocker National Championships.


2003

Houston, TXWings junior men take 1st team place, junior women’s team takes 3rd place honors at the USATF National Cross Country Championships.


2002

Vancouver, WAWings junior women capture 1st place honors at USA Winter National Cross Country Championship, junior men’s team takes second place honors at the USATF National Cross Country Championships. Felicia Guliford finishes eighth overall.


2001

Vancouver, WABoth Wings junior women and junior men capture first place honors at the USATF National Cross Country Championships. Felicia Guliford finishes 7th overall, missing the USA World Team by one place.

Orlando, FLWings runners Felicia Guilford and Jesse Fayant qualify for Footlocker National Cross Country Finals and finish in the top ten in their respective races.


2000

Greensboro, NCWings junior womens team takes first place honors, junior men’s team take second place title at the USATF  National Cross Country Championships.

Phillip Castillo and Theo Martin, Wings alumni, qualify for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. Becki Wells, Wings facilitator, qualifies for the Olympic Trials in the 800 and 1500 meter races.


1999

Tacoma, WAWings junior men and women WIN team division at USATF National Cross Country Championships.

Felicia Guliford, Wings runner, finishes 2nd at Footlocker West and 5th at Footlocker National Championships.


1997

Portland, ORWings junior mens and womens teams finish 3rd in team competition at the at the USATF National Cross Country Championships.

Becki Wells (Blackfeet), Wings Running and Fitness Camp facilitator, wins NCAA, Division I national indoor and outdoor track and field championships in mile and 1500 meters, becoming the first American Indian woman to win national collegiate titles.


1996

Palo Alto, CAWings of the Southwest junior womens team takes 2nd place at the USATF National Cross Country Championships at Stanford University.


1995

Indianapolis, INWings alumnus, Pam White, places 3rd at NCAA, Division II Indoor Championships in 5000 meters.

Boston, MAWings of the Southwest junior womens team wins the USATF National Cross Country Championships at Franklin Park. Wings of the Southwest junior mens team takes 2nd place in their race.


1994

Fresno, CAWings runner Brandon Leslie, 17 (Navajo) qualifies for a spot on the Footlocker Western Regional Team.

San Diego, CAWings runner Brandon Leslie places 3rd in the nation at the Footlocker National Cross Country Championships.

Portland, ORWings of the Southwest boys and girls teams place 4th at the USATF National Cross Country Championships in Portland, Oregon. Former Wings runner Pam White (Navajo), representing Adams State College, places 5th in the junior women’s division.


1993

Saskatchewan, CanadaMelissa Lucero and Brandon Leslie represent Wings at the North American Indigenous Games in Prince Albert. Both runners win the gold medals in the 1500 & 3000 meters.

Missoula, MTBoth the Wings of the Southwest Junior Mens and Junior Womens Teams win the at the USATF National Cross Country Championships, with the junior men scoring a perfect score of 15.

San Diego, CAWings runner Brandon Leslie (Navajo) places 6th at the National Footlocker/Kinney Cross Country Championships.


1992

Boston, MATwo Wings runners qualify for the TAC/USA national team and run at World Cross Country Championship in March. Milfred Tewawina, 26, (Hopi) runs with the senior team. Shane Garcia, 18, (Acoma) runs with the juniors and is the second American to cross the finish line.

Hong Kong and Chengdu, ChinaEight Wings runners compete with Santa Fe/Los Alamos Track Club. Two Wings girls win titles: Melissa Lucero, 17, (Laguna) and Mary Jo Boot, 16, (Zuni).

Rome, ItalyFive Wings runners compete in a road race in Rome, Italy, sponsored by the City of Rome as part of their two-week Native American Festival. Milfred Tewawina, 27, (Hopi) wins in the senior division. Ramone Norris, 17, (Navajo) wins the junior division.

New Orleans, LA—Two Wings runners qualify for US Olympic Trials. Maurice “Mo” Smith, 27, (Navajo) makes it to semi-finals in 1,500 meters. Donny Belcourt, 25, (Chippewa/Cree) competes in the 5,000 and 1,500.

Slippery Rock, PAWings runner Phillip Castillo, 19, (Acoma) a sophomore at Adams State College, wins the NCAA, Division II national cross country championship, the first American Indian to win a collegiate title.

Kenosha, WIWings of the Southwest junior girls run away with the TAC/USA championship. Five Wings runners finish in the top eleven. Wings of the Southwest junior boys place second to Loyola University. Brandon Leslie, 16, (Navajo) places 2nd in the boys division.

San Diego, CAWings sends two runners to the Kinney Cross Country Championships. John Tsabatsaye (Zuni) places 20th.


1991

Boston, MAWings of the Southwest junior boys place second to Dartmouth. Junior girls win. Mary Jo Boot (Zuni Pueblo) places sixth in the nation.


1990

New York City, NYWings of the Southwest junior boys once again capture the TAC championship. Junior girls place second. Phillip Castillo, 17, (Acoma Pueblo) is second American junior to cross the finish line.


1988

Raleigh, NCWings of the Southwest junior boys and junior girls teams win the TAC/USA National Cross Country Championships, stunning junior varsity teams from all over the USA.