An Indigenous runner from Wiikwemikoong gets ready to run the Boston Marathon

Running has been a part of Shayla Manitowabi-Huebner's life since sixth grade.

She's a member of the Wiikwemikoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. Now based in Utah, sheis getting ready to run the race of her life, the Boston Marathon on Monday.

She saidshe only found out about the opportunity eightweeks ago. She was running prior to that but nohard workouts.

Manitowabi-Huebner is running as a member of the Native WomenRunninggroup. She saidshe found inspiration through that group and other Indigenous runners posting their stories online.

"Wow, there's more of us. Maybe we're not all together but it's cool to see," saidManitowabi-Huebner.

"I've seen people from my community share posts or send me a kind message. I'm just amazedthat they're so open, welcoming me with open arms even though I'm so far away right now."

Manitowabi-Huebner's relationship with running has changed over the years. When she was younger it was a way to be fit and healthy and competitive. She ran competitively in college and eventually transitioned into a graduate assistant coach.

Since graduating she's takena step back to take time to reflect on what kind of running she wantsto do.

"I just am kind of growing as an individual and trying to connect back to my indigenous community and run for those who can or those who might be uncomfortable to try new things," she said

In the past, Manitowabi-Huebner saidshe was the only Indigenous runner competing. It has only been in the past couple of years that she's starting to see others.

"I'm seeing it more online and that's okay because I still feel like there's asense of community," she said."It's like, oh, we all went on our run today, or this is what this person did on their own, or this is their reflections."

Now, asmember of the Native WomenRunning team, she has other runners looking up to her.

"It's a little scary because I question myself, but I think that's also a big part of why I'm doing this and why I'm trying to be more open to sharing my story, whether that's a running story or my life story or a combination of the two," she said.

Verna Voker, the founder of Native Women Running, said she started the group to encourage more women in her community to start running.

"When I realized many runners don't look like me, I decided to start NWR," she said.

"My desire is for representation of native women runners in the running world. My hope is for native women to find belonging here."