In the Navajo culture, there is a sacred ceremony called a Kinaaldá. It happens when a girl transitions to women hood. As part of the ceremony they must run to the east three times a day, songs are sung, and prayers are given. Like many of their rich traditions, it is rooted in communal participation and focuses on teaching the young women about generosity, endurance, strength and community. My guest, Wynonna Fulgham, went through this ceremony and it sowed the seeds for how she would live her life as a Navajo woman, a wife, a mom, and it helped strengthen her love and connection to running. And oh the places her running has taken her. From the simple start of a 5K to eventual ultramarathons, including a starring role in The Cutoff film when finishing the Cocodona 250 last year and creating a whole new 200+ mile adventure at Cocodona this year. In this conversation we learn about her journey and how her Navajo lineage has shaped her life and her running.

Wynonna on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacksheep_running/

Native Women Run on IG: https://www.instagram.com/native_women_run/

Native Women Run on linktree (lot of great links here): https://linktr.ee/NativeWomenRunning18

Cocodona 250 races: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona/

Online article about the history of The Long Walk: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Walk_of_the_Navajo

Article in the Navajo Times about Kinaaldá : https://navajotimes.com/opinion/essay/kinaalda-coming-of-age-in-traditional-dine-ceremony/

Resources and information on missing and murdered indigenous women: https://www.niwrc.org/mmiwr-awareness

Joey's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Run_Joey_Run

Running Behind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/running.behind_pod

Joey's Strava Profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/111237895

Artwork by Ed Linder