Nearly 50 coaches from across Minnesota gathered at Mystic Lake Center, located on the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, for the IndigeFit Kids Coaching Academy, a two-day event dedicated to empowering those who work with Native youth through sports and fitness.
Facilitated by the NB3 Foundation’s NB3FIT coaching team, the academy provided a space to gain resources, build connections and sharpen skills. Over the past 20 years, NB3FIT has developed youth-centered programs rooted in community, culture and health. That expertise was on display as coaches led sessions on curriculum planning, centering the whole athlete and creating programs that youth and families want to be part of.
Participants learned new, engaging games to bring back to their communities while reflecting on their coaching philosophies. They explored their motivations and goals for the youth they serve and left with tools to build trust and create welcoming environments that encourage long-term participation.
The academy also emphasized emotional wellness, with sessions on meditation, visualization and journaling to integrate into youth programs. These tools reinforced that developing young athletes goes hand in hand with nurturing their mental, emotional and cultural well-being.
The IndigeFit Kids Coaching Academy also marked a step forward for NB3FIT as the program expands its role in training the trainer. The NB3FIT coaching team is now sharing and teaching the same techniques that have proven successful in the Native communities they serve. By blending sport, wellness and culture, the hope is that this academy will create a ripple effect that will reach thousands of Native youth and families across the state of Minnesota.
