Rising Hearts October Blog Updates
Happy Fall Equinox!!! Happy October! That being said, here is your yearly reminder going into Oct. and Nov. which is Indigenous Peoples Day and Native Heritage Month. These months are here - meaning, 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! While there is still much to celebrate, and look forward to, we still keep fighting for those not at the table and for those being targeted by violence, genocide and injustice. Over the last few months, it’s been hard to justify any of the work we are doing or potential impact we may have, when there is so much pain and suffering. We share this because this work is never easy. It’s damn fulfilling. And it’s hard. We sat in a virtual meeting with a dear Indigenous friend of ours, who validated these thoughts and feelings, after they shared their same feelings at an event we had them at. They were speaking to hundreds, with intentions to honoring the lands and setting the tone for a good experience, but we were happy they shared their feelings on stage about the conflict they felt and still feel. While life does have to continue, the work and advocacy continues, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the state of things happening in this country, in G@za, and in other countries suffering from violence and oppression. This may feel like some word vomit, but being transparent with how we feel. Then we have these moments with our athletes, their activities / events / runs, community events we get invited to or collaborate with, and it brings it full circle, that there can also be joy and excitement. We’ve had many of our friends and athletes share similar feelings over the last few months, some have taken a step back from running or fundraising or just being on social media, and we just want to remind you that it’s okay to not be okay. Or just okay. Take care of yourself. Protect your mind and energy. The heart work will continue.
And now back to our advice for the next couple of months - we 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! We’ve received some rude responses when we’ve had to say no, they acted like they were doing us a favor… 🙄)
For those being asked, no matter who you are - be your own advocate and yes, you absolutely belong and your voice should be heard! 👏🏽🌻
Please see below for updates and community. If there is anything you would like to promote please reach out to lex@rising-hearts.org.
NEXT AWARENESS + ACTION EVENTS:
+ October 6th: Rising Hearts is joining the Prolyfyck Run Club in Charlottesville for their Mile(ish) Monday’s and for a pizza party!
+ October 8th: Carlisle 200 virtual screening and discussion with Guarina Lopez | RSVP
+ October 11-14th: Indigenous Peoples Day - October 11-14th | Register or Donate
+ October 18th: Rising Hearts Farmer’s Market Plogging Run
+ October 20th: Know Your Rights Training with Carolina
+ November 1-2nd : NYC Marathon - 2 Indigenous runners coming to Lenapehoking lands | Learn more!
+ November 14-16th: Every Woman’s Marathon -15 Rising Hearts runners coming to Scottsdale, AZ! | Learn more!
+ November 18th: Run In Beauty film premiere in Portland OR - stay tuned!
We are up to so much! And we are applying for more funding and we will keep raising funds as we go to keep us running in all ways. Wopila tanka, many thanks, to all of you for your support, and we look forward to our hearts moving forward together.
- Rising Hearts
CHECK IT OUT!
"Music for everyone, delivered to you"
Gather Hear Tour travels all around the country with a piano, performing classical music in places where it's not usually heard. We are pleased to welcome musicians Miki Sawada and Chris Thompson at Two Streams Community Building on October 24th at 7pm. This is a free public event and in collaboration with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
The show is unlike any other, combining classical piano music with spoken word and rap, audience participation, plus an original composition by Chris. Through music, Gather Hear seeks to connect with the people who call this land home, and find what we have in common as humans across the divides in this nation.
At the Two Streams concert, UNCP professors Mark Tollefsen and Lindsay Jacob will join the stage for a performance of a newly written composition inspired by "Chicora and the Little People: The Legend of the Indian Corn."
Visit www.gatherhear.com for more information about the tour and the project.
About Miki: As the founder of Gather Hear, pianist MIki has organized and performed 100+ concerts across 7 states. She is based in Boston and performs internationally in places such as Carnegie Hall, Joe's Pub at the Public Theater NYC, and Helsinki Music Center. | www.mikisawada.com
About Chris: Multi-talented musician Chris is a composer, percussionist, and spoken word/rap artist. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition at Peabody Institute, and is a proud alum of NC A&T's internationally acclaimed Gold Steel Drumline, having served as Drum Captain. | www.masterchristopher.com
COMMUNITY MUTUAL AID REQUEST
My dear friend and big sister Heather, is looking for Mutual Aid support.
Please help if you can!
Indigenous Social Worker / Sole Provider / Mother of 3
Seeks Community Support for Living Expenses During Cancer Treatment
Heather Wood, a citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation, single mother and sole provider for three boys, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. As a licensed clinical social (justice) worker within the public school system, she serves as a rock for hundreds of children as well as their families. She is a giver and a helper who is uncomfortable seeking mutual aid from community members during this time. Heather is scheduled to undergo extensive surgical treatment for breast cancer on September 19. Unfortunately, her request for FAMLI+ (Family and Medical Leave Act ---which designates an employee leave with pay) was denied by the state due to her employer opting out of FAMLI+. To receive this benefit for her family's expenses during recovery, she would need to delay surgery for 3 months and apply as self-employed. Early diagnosis and medical intervention are crucial for best outcomes in cancer treatment It is infuriating that our healthcare system puts a devoted single mother in the position of having to put off a critical surgery unless her community rallies around her. But this is the reality of late-stage capitalism.
We invite you to join us in support of Heather's upcoming cancer treatments by sharing what you are able so she can pay her mortgage, insurance, utilities, medical bills and other basic living expenses for her family of 4. Our fundraising goal is $10,000. There is no contribution too small or large. If you can give big, please do! Her boys need their mama. We need our sister. And her community needs her well to continue honoring and uplifting Indigenous values, wisdom, lifeways, and liberation.
Please help us spread the word. Every share and every contribution is impactful. Together, we will provide this loving mother with the resources she needs, allowing her to grow old with her boys while continuing to serve her community after recovery. We are sharing this directly with our communities to avoid service fees that platforms like GoFundMe charge. Your payment will be managed by Zoe Davidson (née Miller) and 100% of your contribution will be given directly to Heather.
Venmo @Zoe-Davidson-8
PayPal @ZoeDavidson
Cashapp $zoamay
Zelle 719-473-4278
Your support means the world to Heather and all of the people who love her.
At lala Nyal’s memorial 5k in 2018
At Crow Creek Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
WE ARE EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF OUR VERY OWN! LEX SAENZ’S BUSINESS MOVE WELL!
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. The vision is to create safe spaces where participants can heal, so they’re able to move more freely in the world, for their communities and for the next seven generations. Be a part of a community that values the art of movement and its profound impact on well-being.
@lexxsaenz | @movementwellness_
Running Industry Diversity Coalition | 5 Years
What an incredible 5 years for our friends at the Running Industry Diversity Coalition!
Back Outside | DC
This was a special event that we were able to be part of and meet new community and see some familiar faces! And the Rising Hearts kiddos and everyone’s grandma were present too, supporting Founder & Executive Director, Jordan Marie Whetstone. This event kicked off with movement and in collaboration with Altra and REI! For those that joined the 3 to 5 mile run and 1-2 mile walk, it helped set the tone of joy and connection through movement.
Part of this event, a panel discussion on exploring trail running, was moderated by Alison Mariella Désir and panelists Anthony Loui (AAPI 5K), Fred Irby (Juneteenth Marathon), Jordan Marie Whetstone (Rising Hearts), and Wil J White (Black Men Run, BMR TURF Trail Ambassador) as they shared powerful, insightful, honest, and joyful stories about breaking barriers, building community, advice for the industry for meaningful connection and relationships, and reimagining the trails as inclusive spaces.
And one of the most exciting things that led to this event, is the launch of the RIDC Opening the Path to Trail Running Toolkit for runners, retailers and communities!
This Resources Helps With:
1.) To provide BIPOC runners with a welcoming, comprehensive guide and helpful resources to start or continue their trail running journey.
2.) To help leaders in the trail space better understand the barriers to entry many BIPOC runners face, and uncover opportunities to provide a sense of belonging to those who have historically been left out of trail running.
Running is for everyone. Trail running can be, too. This toolkit is a key step toward making sure no one is left out of the movement, the outdoors, and the joy that trail running can bring.
UPCOMING RUNS + EVENTS:
6th Annual Indigenous Peoples Day run/walk/bike/move is coming up!
It’s that time of year again! Sign up virtually, share this with your local run club or team (sign up together), create your own virtual team, or join ours (Running With Purpose), and participate in celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day!
When: Oct. 11th - Oct. 14th
Indigenous Peoples Day: October 13th
Where: Virtual and In Person (locations being added)
Distances: 5k, 10k, Half Marathon | run, walk, bike, move, connect
Create a Virtual Team or Join One
Add the Indigenous lands to your bib!
++ You can join Team Rising Hearts! | 6 will be selected to receive a Rising Hearts shirt! And 6 will be selected to win a free pair of On Shoes.
With your participation, funds will be supporting:
+ Touching Land
+ Heal Palestine
+ Rising Hearts
Perfect opportunity to participate, celebrate, honor and give back to Indigenous led efforts, amplify Indigenous voices and causes throughout the whole weekend (and any day of the year), and make space for Indigenous visibility!
Carlisle 200 Virtual Screening
Join Rising Hearts for a special screening of Carlisle 200!
Even though September 30th, National Day of Mourning, Truth & Reconciliation, will have passed, we are still holding this event, to continue awareness, highlight a special short film, made by one of our sisters / friend / and community voice, Guarina Paloma Lopez! We can continue to show up, beyond just a day of action and awareness, because there are still survivors of boarding and residential schools, families impacted, and advocacy that continues for justice, healing, accountability and action!
WHEN: October 8, 2025 | 8pm EST
WHERE: Virtual
RSVP: www.risinghearts.org/carlisle200
RSVP BY: October 8, 2025, 4pm EST
We are headed to Scottsdale, AZ for the 2025 Every Woman’s Marathon! And we are bringing 15 of us together through movement and connection! Stay Tuned for runner announcements!
We will share who the runners are after our introduction call on October 2nd :)
RUN REFLECTIONS
August Grell | Charity Runner
Pikes Peak was gorgeous....
As someone of my experiences, I've avoided trail runs because I never felt 100% safe in rural areas. But Pikes Peak really showed I belong there on the trail. Despite the difficult times we're living in, I was able to reconnect with the continent, with other runners, and remind myself what I'm capable of.
Carolina Rubio-MacWright | RH Athlete Advocate
UTMB Experience and Reflection
Running for me is a spiritual freeing experience between my mind, my body and the earth. Traversing through such massive yet magnificent mountains brings me to tears to even think about how gorgeous and inspiring they are. The community felt different and I leaned into my ancestors a bit more along with the creatures and trees and flowers I got to see.
Having my family, crew and my community there in spirit, meant the world as running through a second night was difficult, but never as difficult as the journey so many of my student/client immigrants have gone through in order to get a chance at life! It is truly a privilege to choose our HARD and what a JOY it was to spend such gorgeous time in those magnificent mountains!
FUNDRAISE FOR RISING HEARTS
We had 11 runners in 2024, turning their passion into purpose! We came close to $15,000 for 2024! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running! We hope to find 8 more runners for 2025 and 2026! Perks, you’ll get a singlet, shirt, and support!
2026 RACES ARE OPEN!
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/)
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!
Want to run for Rising Hearts?
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, 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.
We hope to get 35 Rising Hearts runners! And we have 25 runners now :) With a $36,400 projection of funds raised by the end of the year!
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $500
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
PODCASTS
EarthMovers
A trail podcast reclaiming the narrative. Check out Season 1 - 8 episodes out now! And available on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to listen, share, and review!
IG: @earthmoverespodcast
Hosted by Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, and Verna NezBegay Volker
The Origin Story:
There aren't many firsts in podcasting these days. EARTHMOVERS is one of the few.
Renowned outdoor athletes and equity advocates Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, and Verna NezBegay Volker have been crossing paths for years, having thoughtful, uplifting, and serious conversations about the trail scene. They’ve become friends, and they have a shared passion for making the trail scene inviting and welcoming to people of color and others who are underserved in this space.
A conversation that they’ve returned to again and again is the notable void and need in the trail media space: voices, perspectives, experiences from people of color.
So, they decided to fill that void themselves: they each have years of trail, outdoor, and running experience, and they are established leaders in equity advocacy in the trail, outdoor, and running space.