OKMULGEE – This Saturday, Sept. 26, the Hotvle En Pefatkvlke 5k “Bring a Toy, Run for Joy” will be held at the Mvskoke Dome. There is on-site registration that will begin at 6:30 a.m., with the race starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration requires a donation of one new/unwrapped toy valued at $25 or more. All of these toys will be given back to the community. Anyone can join the run.
During this event, a free t-shirt will be given to the first 100 registered participants. The race will also be timed by Nexus Timing.
They will have a few resource booths and Kona Ice available for citizens to enjoy.
Amari Turner, Mvskoke Wind Runner Member and Youth Leader of the 9/11 Remembrance Event, and Kayla Broncho, the MCN Youth Wellness-Run Crew Advisor, worked with Mvskoke Nation Youth Services Program Coordinator Shannon Arneecher organized this event and spoke to Mvskoke Media about giving back to the community.
The event is hosted by the Mvskoke Nation Youth Services Wellness group- Hotvle En Pefatkvlke (Runner of the Wind), which started organizing in 2025 with set goals.
“One goal was to host our own 5k event. We also wanted to give back to the community. We found a way to reach both of our goals in one event. ‘Bring a toy, Run for Joy’ should be a lot of fun for our runners & walkers,” Arneecher said.
In 2025, the Mvskoke Nation Youth Council hosted a Socktober in October, which was Turner’s first time running a donation drive. Those proceeds were donated to a local homeless shelter, Turner said that both of these drives give back to the local communities.
Giving back feels rewarding for Broncho because the community gives so much to them.
“Whether it’s encouraging us, supporting our program, offering advice, or simply showing up. Our communities continue to pour into us throughout the year. The ‘Bring a toy, Run for Joy’ gives us the opportunity to give back the same love and support while bringing a little extra joy to our Mvskoke Youth and families,” Broncho said.
Turner shared that the Wind Runners started late in 2024 and was open to MNYC members before all Mvskoke Youth.
“Last year, we opened it to more runners who are passionate about their health and wellness. Wind Runners is a space for both beginners and experienced runners. The whole idea is to provide a space for teamwork and support, while building strength and community service amongst tribal youth,” Turner said.
For Turner, the name is significant because it conveys a sense of unity.
“Hotvle En Pefatkvlke means “Runners of the Wind.” Our advisor and highly involved Mvskoke Nation member, Janaya McIntosh, helped design our logo and name. The meaning can be interpreted differently for everyone, but I associate it with running together as one since we all share Mvskoke heritage and pride,” Turner said.
Turner explained that the Wind Runner organization is open to only Mvskoke Youth Ages 12-24, but anyone is able to help out as sponsors or supporters for their organization.
“It’s important to care about each other’s health and wellness. As Wind Runners, we hope to motivate and encourage more people to make these third spaces for Native Americans. Our events aim to better the community and ourselves,” Turner said.
However, the Hotvle En Pefatkvlke 5k is open to anyone who wants to join the run by donating a toy. For more information about this event, contact Arneecher at sarneecher@muscogeenation.com
