- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
In 2026, Army veterans Randy Merrill and Brian Cassidy will set off on a nearly 10,000-mile journey across Native Country as participants in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Their mission: raise $10,000 for the Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) and find healing through the road.
“We are two Army veterans, brothers in arms, bonded by combat, scars, and the quiet battles that never seem to end,” write Randy and Brian in their joint statement. “PTSD and pain followed us home. But we refuse to be defined by the damage.”
The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is far from an ordinary ride. Spanning thousands of miles across Turtle Island’s back roads, it demands unwavering physical and mental strength, spiritual reflection, and humility. Riders navigate the route without GPS, sleep under open skies, and face unpredictable terrain and weather conditions—all while remaining grounded in their purpose.
To make the journey possible, Randy and Brian are seeking sponsors to help cover their essential travel costs. In addition to the $10,000 they aim to raise for AAIA, they are also fundraising another $10,000 for expenses like fuel, safety equipment, maintenance, tires, and daily essentials.
“We’re committed to finishing this ride with integrity and purpose,” they said. “But we can’t do it alone. Every sponsor helps carry us forward—mile by mile.”
For them, the road represents more than just a challenge. “The Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge isn’t just a ride: It’s a test of endurance, spirit, and soul. The rhythm of the engine drowns out the chaos in our heads. Every sunrise we chase is a reminder we’re still alive.”
Funds raised will benefit the Association on American Indian Affairs, the oldest nonprofit serving Native Country. Their contributions will support AAIA’s core initiatives:
-
Next Generations, which uplifts Native youth and families through scholarships, cultural programs, and healing efforts;
-
Cultural Sovereignty, advancing the return of stolen lands, Ancestors, and Indigenous languages;
-
Becoming an Ally, a public education campaign building broader awareness of Native Nations and driving equity.
“This ride is about raising awareness of the strength and resilience of Native Nations and doing our part to support justice and healing,” said Brian, a Purple Heart recipient with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“This Challenge represents something deeper than miles traveled—it’s about healing, service, and standing in solidarity with Native Peoples,” added Shannon O’Loughlin, a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and CEO and Attorney for the Association. “Randy and Brian are not just riding to raise funds—they’re strong non-Native allies carrying a message: that Native Nations are sovereign, and diverse Native homelands and cultures are worthy of protection.”
Supporters can follow the riders and donate at: indian-affairs.org/hokaheymotorcyclechallenge.
Individuals or organizations contributing $500 or more will be recognized as official ride sponsors, with their name or linked logo displayed on the Association’s challenge webpage. To be featured, donors should email their logo and website link to [email protected] after making a qualifying contribution. This offers a meaningful way for sponsors to stand in visible solidarity with Native Peoples and support the mission of the ride and the AAIA.
“Every dollar gets us one mile closer,” said Randy, who served 15 years in the Army. “We’re riding for purpose, pride, and to stand with Native Peoples across Turtle Island.”
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Oral History Project Announces 14th Stop in Portland, Oregon: NABS Continues to Gather Crucial Stories Across Indian Country
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
