Our Mission Walking Shield’s mission is to improve the quality of life for American Indian families by coordinating programs that provide shelter, healthcare, community development support, educational assistance, employment development, and humanitarian aid. About us Walking Shield was founded by Mr. Phil Stevens, a Lakota Sioux, in 1986, and for over 30 years we have worked closely with both urban Indian and tribal leaders to provide a variety of services to American Indian families throughout the United States. We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that partners with tribal governments, urban Indian service organizations, state and federal government funding agencies, non-profit grantees, corporate businesses, and foundations to bring our services to our nation’s American Indian communities most in need.