Our Mission
Native Women Run (NWR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to representing and empowering Native women across the United States and Canada.
Native women are resilient and strong! And we heal and grow by sharing our stories of triumph with each other. NWR has become a place of community, inspiration, motivation, and visibility.
Native Women Run & NIKEWOMEN
A QUOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
“I started Native Women Running (NWR) out of frustration. One day, I was scrolling through Instagram and noticed a lack of Native women runners. When I realized many runners don't look like me, I decided to start NWR.
My desire is for representation of native women runners in the running world. My hope is for native women to find belonging here. I hope NWR can be a place of positivity and encouragement for fellow sisters.”
Founder of NWR
Verna Volker
NWR Leadership Team
Missy Hendricks
Mescalero Apache
Marlinda Franciso
Diné/Tohono O'odham
Métis Nation
Jocelyn McIntosh
Meet the Founder
My name is Verna NezBegay Volker and I am from the Navajo Nation. My clans are Tódích'íi'nii (Bitterwater) nishlíi, Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People) bashishchiin, Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle) dashicheii, and Tó' áheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) dashinalí.
I grew up in the Dzilnaoodilii area of New Mexico, but currently live in Minnesota with my husband and four children. Due to the growth of Native Women Run, I decided to stop teaching to take on this work full-time,
In 2009, I started my running journey to lose weight, but it has turned into a quest to find out who I am internally. This journey has taken me from a newbie runner to a marathoner and recently accomplished my longest distance of 100 miles. My desire is to use my running to inspire others.
NWR Yearly Recap Videos
NWR 2024 Year Recap
NWR 2023 Year Recap
NWR 2022 Year Recap
Contact Us
We will try our best to get back to you.
(507) 858-7820
Serving the Twin Cities & Greater Minnesota