HISTORY
Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run
“Today they run not from bullets and gunfire, today they run for their future,
for the future generations that are yet to come”
The Annual Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual 400 mile Run is held on January 8-14th, every year, and for the last 25 years. The runners commemorate and replicate the Northern Cheyenne breakout of Fort Robinson, on the actual date and time: January 9th, (1879). 10:30 at night. From the humble beginning of 14 runners; to now 80-100 youth completing the journey from Nebraska to Montana in subzero temperatures. The run originally began as a tribute to the Northern Cheyenne ancestors; now, it has become a forum for healing and wellness; youth leadership and empowerment; cultural & language preservation; environmental justice; and creating social change in our communities.
The youth gain a strong connection to the sacrifice of their ancestors. The run instills in them a sense of pride, greater self-esteem, a deeper respect for their identity, sincere appreciation and connection to their homeland, and to value life
THIS YEAR'S RUN
27th Annual Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run
Our Run is Our Prayer for the People for Healing and Wellness
Ne hoo’ohtsema, “We are going home”. This January marks the 27th anniversary of our Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run. From January 9th-14th, Northern Cheyenne youth will make the subzero journey from Nebraska to Montana, commemorating our Ancestors’ breakout of Fort Robinson on January 9th, 1879, retracing the steps and completing the journey home that our Ancestors could not. In their 400 mile journey, our youth run so that our People may live. Our run is our prayer for the People.
This year, our youth run to honor the words that fell from the lips of ancestors as they journeyed home. Ne hoo’ohtesema; a prayer and commitment to unite together and survive, and to return home no matter the sacrifice. As our youth are reminded of the sacrifice and history of ancestors, they return home to the spirit that connects us all. Through the run, they reconnect to land, language, culture, and identity; fortifying within resilience and hope for the future.
Please consider supporting Northern Cheyenne resilience as our youth reconnect to their sacred role and responsibility of prayer for our People, running for our Ancestors, our Elders, and our next generation Northern Cheyenne People.
Online Forms
Download PDF Forms
SCHEDULE
JANUARY 8-14, 2024
Reclaiming - Language, Land, Culture, Identity
Running 400 miles Fort Robinson NE to Northern Cheyenne Homelands MT
JANUARY 8th
TRAVEL DAY
TO FORT ROBINSON
JANUARY 9th
DAY OF EDUCATION
JANUARY 10th
RUNNING FROM FT. ROBINSON THROUGH ARDMORE, SD TO
HOT SPRINGS, SD
JANUARY 11th
RUN THROUGH
THE SACRED BLACK HILLS
JANUARY 12th
RUN FROM DEADWOOD
TO MONTANA LINE
JANUARY 13th
RUN FROM HAMMOND MT
TO ASHLAND MT.
JANUARY 14th
RUN FROM ASHLAND MT
TO BUSBY MT, FINAL DAY
Help these Northern Cheyenne youth complete their journey home.