Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills to Kick Off Native American Week at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will commemorate Native American Week (September 26 – 29) with a series of events that will have a broad audience appeal. The week will begin with a blockbuster lecture by 1964 Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium.

Billy Mills is the National Spokesperson for Running Strong for American Indian Youth®. An Oglala Lakota who was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Mr. Mills earned a track scholarship to the University of Kansas and later served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps.

At the 1964 Olympics, Billy Mills changed the course of sports history when he came from behind to win the gold medal in the 10k race. At that time, he set a world record of 28 m 24.4 s, and is still the only American to ever win a gold medal in the 10,000 meters.

Through his lecture, “Going for the Gold,” this powerful motivational speaker is sure to touch, move, and inspire young and old alike – including athletes of all ages, Native Americans, and virtually everyone who witnessed those magical moments of the 1964 Olympics. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26 at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium, 2248 E. Ramon Road, Palm Springs. Admission is free.