Dreamstarter

Dreamstarter is a grant program created by Running Strong for American Indian Youth to support Native youth working to strengthen their communities and preserve culture. Each year, the program selects ten grantees around a shared theme. In 2025, the focus was storytelling. Following their selection, the grantees come together for a three-day gathering known as Dreamstarter Academy.

The experience includes workshops centered on creativity, leadership, grant writing, and personal growth, alongside time spent in community through shared meals, hands-on activities, and cultural exchange. The documentation centered on the grantees themselves. The focus stayed on their interactions, candid moments, and the relationships formed throughout the experience. The resulting visuals support Dreamstarter’s storytelling and outreach efforts, helping honor the grantees’ work and the broader goal of investing in Native youth, culture, and community futures