Billy Mills (second from left) with Shoshone-Bannock tribal members on October 9.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
IDAHO FALLS — Billy Mills, the first Native American and winner from the United States to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, was the keynote speaker at the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference on October 9.
In 1965, he set seven American Records and one world record. He was number three in the world in the 10,000-meter run.
Mills is from the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) nation and is also known by his Indian name, Tamakhóche Thehíla (Loves His Country). He was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and orphaned at 12 years old, however, he hung on to the many teachings of his father, who greatly influenced him. He graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University in 1957 and the University of Kansas in 1961. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
Most recently, he co-authored a biographical story of his journey to a record-breaking gold medal in the book “Wings of an Eagle.”
Billy Mills speaks at the conference in Idaho Falls.
Before Mills took the stage, a video showing his Olympic victory was shown, allowing him to recount his historic win. He was told the world had just witnessed the greatest upset in Olympic history unfold. However, that was not what he took from sport.
What he took from sport were three lessons that have to be learned for the purpose of humanity, including it’s our journey, not our destination, that empowers us; it’s the daily decisions we make in life, not just the talent that we possess that choreographs our destiny; and after traveling over one hundred countries in the world, he’s realized that global unity through diversity in the nuclear society is a must to achieve the dream of addressing climate change for the betterment of Mother Earth.
He talked about his journey through life and how it could be applied to scientists, engineers, and tribal leaders in the room. Mills encouraged the teachings he got from his father and told the people to follow their dreams because every dream has its passion and destiny.
“It will lead you to a positive passion in life,” he said. “Develop the skills to equal that passion, bring them together, and magic can happen.”
Mills received a standing ovation.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler Tendoy presented Mills with a beaded bolo tie. Fans surrounded him for pictures and autographs, including tribal members Cleve and Dawn Davis.
In celebration of diversity, the evening closed with a live band and dancing.