The facility was one of hundreds of government-funded, church-run boarding schools that sought to erase the cultural identity of Native Americans. This was done by taking Native children from their families and tribes and violently punishing them for acknowledging their culture. Stevens remembers seeing the outrage of some Americans, presumably unaware that similar atrocities were inflicted upon Native American children here as well. “He’s gained so much confidence and found a renewed passion for running,” Phipps said. Runners will set out bright and early the next morning from the 6500’ basecamp, running in 5-mile segments until they arrive on the Stewart boarding school grounds.