BILLY MILLS
Billy Mills is an Oglala Lakota (Sioux) born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation. Orphaned at the age of 12, he chose running as a positive focus in
his life. After breaking numerous high school track records, Billy received an
athletic scholarship to attend the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, he was
commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps where he trained
for the Olympics, making the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team in the 10,000m.
and the marathon.
After thousands of miles of training, Billy became the first and only American
to win a gold medal in the 10,000m. race in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Setting an Olympic record of 28 minutes 24.4 seconds, Billy's accomplishment
remains a great source of pride to American Indian people.
Billy lives his life through the teachings of his father. "I was constantly told
and challenged to live my life as a warrior. As a warrior, you assume
responsibility for yourself. The warrior humbles himself. And the warrior learns
the power of giving."
Billy wrote Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Understanding with
Nicholas Sparks, now in its eighth printing worldwide. Today Billy travels
throughout the country speaking about Global Unity Through Global Diversity to
American Indian communities, colleges, and corporations and acting as a mentor
and role model for Indian Youth.
Billy Mills is an Oglala Lakota (Sioux) born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian
Reservation. Orphaned at the age of 12, he chose running as a positive focus in
his life. After breaking numerous high school track records, Billy received an
athletic scholarship to attend the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, he was
commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps where he trained
for the Olympics, making the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team in the 10,000m.
and the marathon.
After thousands of miles of training, Billy became the first and only American
to win a gold medal in the 10,000m. race in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Setting an Olympic record of 28 minutes 24.4 seconds, Billy's accomplishment
remains a great source of pride to American Indian people.
Billy lives his life through the teachings of his father. "I was constantly told
and challenged to live my life as a warrior. As a warrior, you assume
responsibility for yourself. The warrior humbles himself. And the warrior learns
the power of giving."
Billy wrote Wokini: A Lakota Journey to Happiness and Understanding with
Nicholas Sparks, now in its eighth printing worldwide. Today Billy travels
throughout the country speaking about Global Unity Through Global Diversity to
American Indian communities, colleges, and corporations and acting as a mentor
and role model for Indian Youth.