The Honor the Youth Spiritual Run began at midnight this morning, August 18, to call attention to suicide, drug and other issues facing Native youth today.

The 300-mile run was organized by tribes, organizations and various agencies. It starts in Minneapolis and ends on the Red Lake Reservation.

Participants also launched the Native Youth Crisis Hotline, a 24-hour call center for Native youth. The number is 1-877-209-1266.

Get the Story:
American Indians look for solutions to suicide crisis (AP 8/18)
pw1

Relevant Links:
Honor the Youth Spiritual Run - http://www.rlnn.com/ArtAug05/HonorYouthSpiritualRun2005.html

Related Stories:
Suicide called epidemic on Red Lake Reservation (08/08)
Native youth meet for Nation Building conference (08/04)
Indian youth meet for leadership conference (8/3)
Native community shaken by high suicide rate (07/04)
Oklahoma senator loses Indian health care vote (06/29)
Studies lacking on mental health among Natives (06/27)
Senate hearing addresses Native youth suicide (06/16)
Senate hearing on youth suicide prevention (6/15)
Study finds high rates of trauma among two tribes (06/01)
Editorial: Hearing a first step in tackling suicide problem (05/09)
Field hearing set on suicide among Native youth (04/29)
Senate committee plans hearing on Indian suicides (04/26)
Two teens dead in murder-suicide fueled by drugs (04/25)
South Dakota tribe combats suicide among its youth (04/18)
BIA establishes partnership to tackle teen suicide (04/08)
New York Times: Indian children being left behind (04/05)
Deadly tragedy puts focus on Native youth problems (3/24)
Yellow Bird Series: Suicide on the reservation (03/16)
Yellow Bird Series: Suicide on the reservation (03/14)
Lawsuit filed over teen's suicide at BIA jail (12/02)
Native students subject to high rates of school violence (11/30)
Suicide rates explode among Colombia's Natives (11/23)
Native community in Manitoba hit by rash of suicides (11/02)
Anderson eyes changes in BIA school system (07/23)
Bill includes suicide prevention funds for tribes (07/16)
Tribe in Brazil sees high rate of youth suicide (04/14)
Report finds lax safety measures at BIA schools (04/08)
Friends, family shocked by INS agent's suicide (03/19)
Ariz. tribe sees alarming rate of suicide attempts (03/09)
Pueblo leaders forming suicide support group (02/18)
CDC calls attention to health disparities in U.S. (02/09)
Survey finds high-risk behaviors among BIA students (11/13)
Smoking rates among Natives highest in nation (10/10)
Study links childhood experience to alcohol abuse (09/19)
Indian Country tops drug report again (9/17)
Native youth top drug use survey again (09/06)
Report card shows Native students falling behind (06/23)
Native youth targeted in anti-drug ads (5/17)
Native youth heaviest smokers in nation (4/3)
Report: Native youth highest drug users (10/5)
Ad campaign targets youth drug use (9/7)
Drug use high among Native youth (9/1)