This morning, First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren and I rose before the sun and ran together for the 5k Sun Run, hosted by Nihi Dine’é Bá Wellness Center at the St. Michaels Mission.
Running at sunrise is more than just a run, it is ceremony, prayer, and a way of living in balance and harmony. With each step, we honor our ancestors who taught us that running strengthens not only the body, but also the spirit and the mind.
To me, running in the morning is how we greet the new day with gratitude, resilience, and purpose. It is how we remind ourselves that every day is a gift, and every step is a prayer for our people.
As I reflect on this morning’s run with First Lady, I want to encourage all of us to take care of our health. When we choose to move and to eat well, we not only nourish ourselves, but we ensure that we can be here for our families and our people in good health.
Every step and every choice toward wellness is a step toward living a long and healthy life.
Thank you to the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board Inc., volunteers and my staff for showing up this early morning to greet a new day.
-Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
