Ho-Chunk Nation Runners Support Dirk Whitebreast in Wisconsin Marathon

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

Dirk Whitebreast-Sac&Fox

MENASHA, WISCONSIN - Thirty-one year old Dirk Whitebreast, Sac and Fox, ran in two marathons over the weekend: the North Face Endurance Challenge in Eagle, Wisconsin and the Community First Fox Cities Marathon in Menasha, Wisconsin.

These two events are the first two of ten marathons Whitebreast will run during a 30 day period that will total 262 miles challenge he has embarked on to bring awareness to high rates of suicide among American Indian youth.

American Indian youth have the highest suicide rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. In some cases the rate is 3.5 times higher.

Ho-Chunk Youth Council

The Ho-Chunk Youth Council sent two relay teams to be part of Sunday's marathon to support Whitebreast's efforts. Running for the Ho-Chunk relay teams were Jon Greendeer, president of the Ho-Chunk Nation and Josie Raphaelito, Diné, program coordinator, Center for Native American Youth - Aspen Institute from Washington DC.

At the conclusion of the race Sunday, Whitebreast had run over 52 miles in the two day period. All monies Whitebreast will raise will be donated to the Center for Native American Youth.

"The second part of was the hardest. I've run the Community First marathon before, so I know where the relaxing points are," said Whitebreast after Sunday's run.

“Seeing the Ho-Chunk Youth Council really motivated me though and it made the run easier.”

Dirk with Jon Greendeer
president of Ho-Chunk Nation

"This morning I came to run in a marathon, but I came back with a new meaning," stated Ho-Chunk President Greendeer. "There is a now a new road I am taking for the cause to prevent suicides."

The individuals listed below ran in relays, with each person running five miles each:

Soul to Sole