March is Women’s History Month, a time to honor the strength, wisdom and leadership of women who shape our communities. At NB3 Foundation, we celebrate the women on our team who serve as matriarchs, mentors and changemakers, driving our mission forward.

In Native communities, women provide guidance and strength, and the women of NB3 Foundation represent hese values, leading efforts to create a healthier future for Native youth. Whether promoting physical activity, healthy nutrition, cultural connections or youth development, they ensure our work has a lasting impact.

Their leadership shapes programs, motivates change and uplifts the voices of Native youth. This Women’s History Month, we honor these women whose dedication inspires us to continue working toward stronger, healthier Native communities.

As part of the continued effort of our team to stay active and build comradery, members of the NB3 Foundation team committed to a Ragnar Trail run for 2020. Due to the pandemic the event was postponed and finally took place in May of 2022. The NB3 Foundation encourages and supports our team members who wanted to participate in this trail relay run in Utah. Our team members have been training and planning for the trip for two years, so we were sent into a panic when we lost three of our runners to injury. We now had less than three weeks to find replacements, or the rest of the team would have to run extra loops. When we say “NB3 Family” we really do mean that once you are a part of the family, you will always be part of it in some way. We reached out to a former employee, a former community partner and family member who enthusiastically answered our call. We had a whole team again and we were excited and nervous to travel to Utah for this event. The team traveled to Utah on Thursday to set up camp and check in at the event. After the tents and hammocks were set up, we ate dinner and rested up for an 8:30 a.m. start time.  

Our first runner started on the green loop (4.4 miles and 509-ft  elevation gain) , our second runner took on the yellow loop (4.4 miles 1042-ft elevation)  and our third runner conquered the dreaded red loop (7.8 miles 1321-ft elevation gain). We continued this rotation until all eight runners had completed each loop. Don’t be fooled by the green loop! Runners had a “small” steady climb, but the course was pretty technical and a little scary for those of us who are afraid of heights. There was a point where we were running on a ledge where one misstep could take you tumbling down the mountain. The yellow loop could have been labeled the red loop due to the two-mile intense 1042-foot elevation climb. It was pretty much straight up but the rest of the run down was fast and a little fun trying to maneuver through the tight ravines. The red loop was almost eight miles with a roller-coaster like feel of climbing and then a quick downhill, over and over. The views were amazing and worth the blood, sweat and possibly tears. Blood, because over half the team took a tumble on at least one of the loops, sweat – it was so over 80 degrees and clear skies. Tears… not sure if anyone cried but it’s a possibility.  We finished the run in 30:43:18 

Thank you to our team:  

Jeannie Yazzie, Dine, former NB3 Foundation Administrative Assistant 

Sacha Smith, Southern Ute/Dine, Communications Specialist 

Simona Casiquito, Jemez Pueblo, NB3FIT Assistant 

Simone Duran, San Felipe Pueblo, Program Coordinator 

Cyanne Lujan, Sandia Pueblo, Director of Advancement 

Jon Driskell, COO 

Elijah Star, Santo Domingo Pueblo, NB3 Family 

Mike Garcia, Tamaya, Community Partner 

February is American Heart Month, a time we can all reflect on changes we can make to achieve better heart health for our families and communities.

Three things we can all all focus on in February are getting more active, eating healthy nutritious foods and managing our stress.

1. It’s great to start instilling these beliefs in our families and communities at a young age. According the the American Heart Association, youth ages 6-17 should participate in 60 minutes of vigorous to moderate exercise each day. The best way we can ensure our youth are staying active is to encourage them to have fun while being active. Whether it’s though a sports team, dance class or simply running around and exploring outdoors. We know when physical activity is fun and engaging youth are more likely to continue the behavior! Plus being active helps keep our hearts strong and healthy.

2. Healthy nutrition also plays a big role in our heart health. Eating a healthy diet alone can lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce damage to our arteries. We recommend eating more fruits and vegetables, limiting the amount of red meat we consume and choosing foods that are low in sodium. Here are some heart healthy food ideas!

3. Managing stress is important for all ages, not only adults. Our youth experience stressors and worries just like we do, so it’s important for us as parents, caregivers and coaches to recognize those and provide them with stress-reducing activities. Remember, stress can contribute to high blood pressure putting our hearth health at risk. Some ways NB3FIT encourages youth to manage stress are by talking with a coach or youth leader, practicing meditation, staying active and journaling.

• Here are some ways to observe American Heart Month!
  
  – Heart healthy educational resources for youth at Kids Heart Challenge
  – Wear Red Day on February 4 to bring more attention to heart disease.
  – Take a CPR training class
  – Learn more about healthy nutrition habits good for your heart at Heart Healthy Living
  – American Heart Health Toolkits
  – Visit American Heart Association
  – Read the proclamation by President Biden on American Heart Month

 

On November 30, we set a goal to raise $10,000 to support our work with Native youth and communities. Through the generosity of our supporters we exceeded our goal and raised $10,589!

We are incredibly thankful for the continued support ensuring Native children’s health remains a top priority. Our supporters have helped us continue providing opportunities for Native youth to stay healthy and active throughout the pandemic and for that we are grateful.

#GivingTuesday has ended, but we hope it has provided you with inspiration and motivation to continue making positive changes in your community.

With gratitude,

Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation

With summer vacation coming to an end many of our youth are heading back to school and our families and communities are all pitching in to help each other with childcare and transportation. We all want to keep our children safe and healthy, so now is a good time to increase awareness of common safety hazards and to learn new tips and recommednations that could be lifesaving. 

Choking Prevention: Most children like to eat and snack often, but it’s important to remember that food, even healthy foods, can be choking hazards. Foods like whole grapes, raw veggies, nuts and seeds are just a few healthy foods that can be potentially dangerous. When preparing a snack or meal it’s important to keep a few things in mind: Children should be given age-appropriate snacks. For example, avoid giving grapes, cherries and berries to infants and young children without cutting them up into fourths. Caregivers should also avoid giving children nuts, hard candies and slippery foods. Encourage proper chewing of all foods and insist that all children, regardless of age, sit while eating and drinking. It’s tempting to step away and finish tasks while children eat their snack, however it is extremely important to have an adult present during all meals. Ensure that caregivers are aware of children’s food allergies and how to treat them if exposed to allergens. Encourage all caregivers to take a basic first aid class that covers what they do in case of choking and/or allergic reactions. Find classes here: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/babysitting/babysitting-child-care-training

Safe transportation: Getting children to and from daycare, school and extracurricular activities is important and a job shared by many at times. It is important that all children are properly and safely restrained while riding in a vehicle. If a child must be transported by a family member other than parents or a regular caregiver, it is important that family members understand the importance of safety belts and car seats and how to safely use them. Car seats should be properly installed and age appropriate for children. If you aren’t sure, ask the parent to demonstrate how to properly secure the child. Even if children protest, remind them that you want them to be protected and that you are following the law. Learn more best practices and guidelines here:  https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/child-safety-seats 

Sports Safety: Many children will join sports teams and participate in physical activity while attending school. It is important to understand and recognize common sports related injuries or illnesses. Many schools require students and parents to attend training to recognize the symptoms of concussions. It is always a good idea to follow the guidelines and encourage your children to do the same to avoid risk of concussion or serious brain injuries. In addition to concussion awareness, proper hydration is also important for student athletes and all members of the family. Encourage your children to drink plenty of water and less sugar-sweetened beverages so that they can perform at their best. You can find some fun facts and water tracking resources on our Zero to 60 Challenge website: https://nb3foundation.org/zero-to-60/ 

COVID safe practices: Many of our youth are headed back into classrooms this fall. Keeping them safe, especially those not old enough for the vaccine is a top priority for families and communities. Here are some recommendations for your school-aged children returning to school and extracurricular activities.