Michael Harralson (he/him) is a dad, a partner, runner, advocate, activist and founder of ReNew Earth Running. He moved to Minnesota from southern Indiana 19 years ago to pursue a career in Federal Indian Law. For the first half of his legal career he represented Indigenous parents in the child protection system, and then worked in-house for a Tribal government. He recently stepped away from his position as an administrative law judge and was recently sworn in as deputy judge for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, assigned to preside over the Band's Wellness Court. Michael began running in 2013 and joined running groups like Mile in My Shoes (2013-present) and Bigger Than The Trail (2020). He loves trail running but gets a vast majority of his miles around the lakes in Minneapolis. Michael brought his passions of advocating for Indigenous communities and running with purpose together to form ReNew Earth Running. The idea began with wanting to go beyond land acknowledgements and toward #landback. He believes that restoring land to the stewardship of Tribal Nations and Indigenous leadership will bring healing to those communities, the environment, and to the country as a whole.
We talk about how he was able to process his dad's death through running and how it's important to lace up your shoes and go. Michael talks about how important and fulfilling it is to spend time with his family. We discuss how great it is to be interconnected through movement and advocacy.
#ripplecreator
Michael lives on Očhéthi Šakówiŋ and Wahpekute land.
Book recommendations:
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley
Check out Michael on IG @mpharralson and @renew_earth_running
To learn more about Indigenous stewardship and Land Back efforts check out:
Cheyenne Kippenberger: Land Acknowledgement at inaugural Aspen Ideas Festival: Climate in Miami Beach, FL - YouTube
https://native-land.ca
@rising_hearts on IG
When you are in the Minneapolis area, check out:
1. Just GO TO THERE!
2. Mill City Running - www.millcityrunning.com
3. Birch Bark Books - https://birchbarkbooks.com
4. Lillie Nell - Choctaw / Native American Handmade Beaded Jewelry - https://lillienell.com
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For more info check out almanutrido.com and follow Becca Jay on
IG @beccajay.almanutrido & @youareabigdealpodcast
