When they buried the childrenWhat they didn’t knowThey were lovingly embraced by the land. Held and cradled in a mother’s heart.The trees wept for them, with the wind.They sang mourning songs their mothers didn’t know to sing.Bending branches to touch the earth around them.The Creator cried for them, the tears falling like rain. Mother Earth held them until they could be found.Now our voices sing the mourning songs. With the trees. The wind. Light sacred fire - ensure they are never forgotten, as we sing justice. - Abigail Echo Hawk
Rising Hearts is hosting our 6th Annual virtual and in person 5K Remembrance Run for #OrangeShirtDay and #EveryChildMatters – remembering and honoring the thousands of Indigenous children stolen from their families and homelands, forced into Boarding and Residential Schools, and the survivors, and descendants. To date, over 10,000 Indigenous children have been unearthed from Boarding and Residential school properties. This injustice, rooted in colonialism and intersects with missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, and the need to conquer, led to policies of genocide, forced removal, diseases, theft of lands and bodies, as well as the quote and policy that started the boarding schools – “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.” This was a policy to colonize and force Indigenous peoples to become civilized, strip them of their culture, their language, their traditions, and their Indigenous names – having to choose a Christian name. This run is to honor and remember this history that doesn’t get the visibility it needs, to shine light on the injustice that continues to take place, to build community and allyship, and to call for justice, accountability, healing, and to bring all relatives back to their communities by searching all boarding and residential school properties.
Join us in this virtual run to help us raise funds to give back to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
Run-bike-walk in solidarity! Wear ORANGE on September 26th – October 3rd. . Uplift this injustice, demand accountability, fight for healing, and support the heart work.
What significance does the color orange and September 30th have?Phyllis Webstad (Orange Shirt Society) was 6 years old when she was about to start at the residential school she was attending - all excited for school, her grandmother bought her a brand new, pretty orange shirt to wear to school. Once Phyllis arrived at the residential school, her clothing was stripped from her and her hair was cut. The color orange reminds Phyllis of her experiences at the residential school and in her own words on what it reminded her of, "how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.” September 30th is the day that Indigenous children were stolen from their families and forced into the schools at the start of the school year. This day and color, commemorates the legacy and trauma of the boarding and residential schools.
We have a big goal – to give back in a big way!
Run-bike-walk in solidarity! Wear ORANGE on September 27th – October 1st . Uplift this injustice, demand accountability, fight for healing, and support the heart work.
-Join a team or create a team-Purchase stickers-Sponsor a relative/donate an entry-Options to just donate
Click the image to purchase a #EveryChildMatters Orange shirt in a men/women cut.
New Every Child Matters Bonfire T-Shirt CampaignAvailable all year roundLast day to order to receive in time for September 30th = Every Child Matters: 9/3/26All profits are donated directly to the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition via Bonfire.Multiple options available, including youth sizing.
Let's continue to build community. Let's show up in whatever way we can. Let's support those survivors, their families, the advocates, and work towards ending inter-generational trauma so our never generations can THRIVE.
Total Price may be more or less based on additional registration options such as donations.
*Includes processing fee
Tucson, AZ7:30AM PDT1161 W Silverlake Road, Tucson, AZ 85713 at 7:30AM PDTMeet in the trailhead parking lot for access to the river path. Distance: 5K run/ walk along the Santa Cruz River Path. Cold drinks and refreshments will be available for everyone after the run/walk.
Austin, TX8AM CDTNative American Cultural Center (NACC)84 Robert T Martinez Jr StreetAustin, TX 78702Led by Indigenous Movement Crew and NACC
Charlottesville, VA6AM EDTClub Prolyfyck Friday Morning X 6th Annual Every Child Matters Remembrance Walk/Run With Rising Hearts!Walkers: 5:50am - Runners: 6:00am - 4 MilesJefferson School - 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Upload 9/26 -10/3
UNCHECK to go back
Limited Time Only - donate $15 to receive a film screener link of Remaining Native, a film by Paige Bethmann, featuring Ku Stevens. This opportunity to learn from and view this film will end on October 3rd, 11:59pm EST.
Film Description:"A documentary told from the perspective of Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Native American runner, struggling to navigate his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as the memory of his great-grandfather's escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present, and future."
Like with Running For Justice - we are including an extra donation to receive a film screener link for Remaining Native during this time to watch. Here's link for people to learn more: https://www.remainingnativedocumentary.com/
This opportunity to learn from and view this film will end on October 3rd, 11:59pm EST.
Items will not be shipped internationally.You can still participate and post your times/photos!
Acknowledge the Indigenous Lands you will run on by having it placed on your run bib. Unfortunately if you live abroad bibs are not shipped outside the United States/Turtle Island.
RESOURCES TO USE TO FIND THE INDIGENOUS LANDS YOU ARE ON:
A. Download the NativeLand App - this is a great resource.
B. Visit https://native-land.ca/
Would you like to join or create a team?
You are not registering a participant - this is a donation to support a runner in need.The event organizer will issue these coupon codes to a runner/s in need - Thank you!YOU ARE NOT REGISTERING for the event.
Are you a runner in need? Please email: [email protected]
This is a donation.
I do not want to register, just want to donate to someone in need who would like to participate. I understand that the event organizers will be issuing these codes to runners in need.
Proceeds from the event go to The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and The Indian Residential School Survivors Fund
ITEM MAILING begins Monday prior to start day.Please allow 3-5 business days to receive.
Every Child Matters
Bundle of 5 Stickers3" Matte
Rising Hearts
Rising Hearts (Small)
Bundle of 5 Stickers1.5" Matte
Running for Justice
Be A Good Relative
Bundle of 5 Stickers
Running On Native Land
ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
