The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its Healthy Hydration Advisory Board (HHAB)and welcome 10 new members, including Native youth and adult leaders, who will inform and strengthen the foundation’s national healthy hydration efforts.
The Healthy Hydration Advisory Board brings together individuals deeply committed to advancing the health and well-being of Native children and communities. Members bring lived experience, community knowledge and professional expertise and will work closely with NB3 Foundation to provide guidance and share best practices, with a shared focus on increasing access to and consumption of water while reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
“NB3 Foundation is grateful to each member of the advisory board for sharing their insight and expertise to strengthen our healthy hydration initiatives,” said Jon Driskell, CEO of NB3 Foundation, “We look forward to working alongside them to promote water as the first-choice beverage and reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among Native youth.”
Role of the Healthy Hydration Advisory Board
Members of the Healthy Hydration Advisory Board will serve as trusted advisors to NB3 Foundation, providing strategic guidance and community-informed insight across several key areas, including:
- Elevating Native youth voice and ensuring community perspectives are reflected in healthy hydration initiatives
- Advising on culturally appropriate strategies for research and program design
- Informing learning and convening efforts, including the Healthy Hydration Summit and Water First! initiatives
- Sharing best practices for outreach, education, and community engagement
- Supporting research and evaluation efforts to ensure approaches are strengths-based and meaningful for Native youth and communities
The board will meet four times annually, including virtual meetings and one in-person convening, beginning in December 2025.
Welcoming the 2025–2029 Healthy Hydration Advisory Board Members
NB3 Foundation is honored to welcome the following individuals to the Healthy Hydration Advisory Board:
Adult Members
- Amy Barcenas, Chippewa Cree, Colorado
- Leroy Fairbanks, Anishinaabe, Minnesota
- Shane Benally, Diné, New Mexico
- Skyler Bordeaux, Sicangu Lakota, Arizona
- Dinesha Kane, Tulalip, Washington
- Kate Herrera-Jenkins, Pueblo de Cochiti
Youth Members
- Ashima Burns, Diné, New Mexico
- Autumn Russell, Diné, Arizona
- Lola Manuelito, Diné, Arizona
- Fancee Oldperson, Blackfeet, Montana
Together, these members will help strengthen NB3 Foundation’s healthy hydration initiatives and ensure that programs, research and partnerships reflect the priorities and strengths of Native youth, families and communities.
For more information about the Healthy Hydration Advisory Board, visit www.nb3foundation.org or contact Renee Goldtooth-Halwood at erd@nb3f.org
