By NB3 Foundation

Learning, leading and connecting: Youth council at Unity Midyear Conference

We’re excited to share the NB3 Foundation Youth Council attended the 2026 UNITY Midyear Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Over 700 Indigenous youth focused on community organizing and went through a 10-step action plan that addressed a community issue.  

NB3 Foundation youth council attended the Mental Health & Wellness Track, facilitated by Tommy GhostDog with WeRNative. The focus was to equip Native Youth will tools to create an action plan that helps them create change within their communities.  

“What I took away from the sessions was really a new perspective. With it being my first time at UNITY Midyear, I was mind blown with how interactive it was with other youth councils. I really enjoyed my sessions in which we settled on a community issue and created a way to attack this issue. I would highly recommend UNITY Midyear to any youth council wanting new ideas or perspectives,” Corey Bird, co-president of NB3 Foundation Youth Council 

In addition, our co-presidents, Corey Bird and Abby Mariano, attended the National UNITY Council Business Meeting, where they provided reports as one of the council affiliates in the Southwest Region. It is truly an honor to see our young leaders step up in their officer role and confidently speak in front of a large audience. 

Throughout the weekend, the youth council took part in a wide range of activities, including a campus tour at Arizona State University in downtown Phoenix, keynote addresses by Billy Mills and Judith LeBlanc, and speed workshops. Ashima Burns also placed in the top three during a mock pageant. Council members stepped outside their comfort zones by participating in round dances and networking with the Puyallup Youth Council and the Cherokee Youth Council of North Carolina, where they introduced themselves and built meaningful connections..  

We are incredibly proud of our Youth Council for representing their communities and NB3 Foundation. We look forward to seeing how they apply what they learned in the months ahead. 

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By NB3 Foundation

Evaluation and Research welcomes UNM graduate student

The Evaluation and Research Department is pleased to welcome a student through the University of New Mexico Student Employment Office. We extend our sincere thanks to Jeanette Quintanar, Job Development Officer at UNM, for assisting us in finding a wonderful candidate.

As part of our commitment to strengthening Native students’ academic experiences through hands-on learning, we are excited to welcome a graduate work-study student for the position of Health Champion. This role is part of a broader movement to support Native American children’s health, with a focus on cultural connections, nutrition, physical activity, and youth development.

Jessica Sanchez is from Santo Domingo Pueblo and is a citizen of the Navajo Nation. She is a graduate student studying Public Health at the University of New Mexico. Jessica is interested in health promotion and integrating Indigenous methodologies into community-based programming. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, trail running, and spending time with her dog, Luna.

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation presents proceeds to Lightning Boy Foundation

On Friday, Dec. 12, the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Lightning Boy Foundation as part of the proceeds from the 2025 NB3 New Mexico Grande Slam. Lightning Boy Foundation served as the event’s nonprofit partner, supporting its work serving Native youth and families.

NB3 Foundation staff Cyanne Lujan and Jon Driskell met with Felicia Rosacker-Rivera, co-founder of the Lightning Boy Foundation, and her husband George Rivera,  to recognize the organization’s impact and partnership. The organization was established in honor of their son, Valentino “Tzigiwhaeno” Rivera, whose love for dance and resilience following a traumatic injury inspired a mission rooted in healing, culture and movement. Named after the Tewa word for “lightning,” the foundation continues Valentino’s legacy by uplifting Native youth through dance, wellness and cultural expression.

Each year, NB3 Foundation partners with a different nonprofit through the New Mexico Grande Slam to help extend the reach and impact of the event. NB3 Foundation thanks its New Mexico Grande Slam sponsors and partners for their shared commitment to ensuring all children in New Mexico have the opportunity to live healthy and happy lives.

To learn more about the Lightning Boy Foundation, visit lightningboyfoundation.com/about.

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By NB3 Foundation

Giving back this holiday season

NB3 Foundation staff joined First Nations Community HealthSource and Americans for Indian Opportunity to help distribute holiday food bags to families in need at the Traditional Wellness Program location. In addition to food support, families had access to resources for housing, health insurance, medical and dental care, and other essential services across the Albuquerque metro area.

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT Day brings families together through movement and play

NB3FIT Day brought families and community members together for a fun, active day focused on movement, health and connection. Held in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the event highlighted the importance of creating safe, healthy spaces where Native youth and families can thrive.

The event featured seven activity stations designed to encourage physical activity and participation for all ages. More than 70 community members attended throughout the day, enjoying opportunities to move together, learn about healthy living and connect with local organizations that share a commitment to youth and family well-being.

NB3 Foundation extends sincere thanks to the community partners who helped make NB3FIT Day a success by sharing their time, expertise and energy:

  • Tamaya Wellness Center

  • Tamaya Recreation Program, including Tanya Chino, Kelly Raton, Kevin Montoya, Demetria Madalena and Cameron Garcia-Sandoval

  • Santa Fe Indian School, Bill Coriz

  • San Felipe Pueblo Project Venture, Adelbert Quiver and Joe Ansera

  • Powwow Wellness, Niko DeRoin-Silva

  • NHI/Running Medicine, Jessica Begay

The event was also supported by 16 youth volunteers from the NB3 Foundation Youth Council, Albuquerque Academy DECA and the NB3 Foundation golf team. Youth volunteers assisted with activities, participant engagement and event flow, helping create a welcoming and positive experience for all attendees. Their involvement reflects the NB3 Foundation’s continued investment in youth leadership.

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By NB3 Foundation

Show your support for Native youth on GivingTuesday!

This GivingTuesday, we’re inviting our community to help uplift Native youth across the country. The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation provides accessible sports, health and cultural wellness programs rooted in Native values. With your support, we can continue creating spaces where youth grow strong in mind, body and spirit.

How you can support:

  • Donate: Every contribution makes a difference.

  • Share: Spread the word to family and friends.

  • Fundraise: Create your own GivingTuesday page on our behalf.

Thank you for helping us invest in the health and futures of Native youth.
Give today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/2025-giving-tuesday-5

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT Tennis launches in Bernalillo

This fall, NB3FIT introduced a new sport to its lineup: tennis. Hosted at Bernalillo High School and led by NB3FIT program coordinator Mia Freeland, the free program welcomed nine youth participants eager to pick up rackets and learn the game.

For many Native youth in New Mexico, tennis is a sport they may not otherwise have the chance to experience. NB3FIT Tennis was created to change that, providing access, exposure and a supportive environment for youth to build confidence on the court.

Over the course of the season, participants are learning the fundamentals of the game, including tennis etiquette, the rules of play and the basics of rallying. While developing their skills, they are also building qualities that will serve them well both on and off the court.

NB3FIT is proud to expand its program with tennis, continuing its commitment to opening doors and creating healthy opportunities for Native youth.

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By NB3 Foundation

IndigeFit Kids Coaching Academy brings coaches together to strengthen Native youth sports in Minnesota

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.

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation research sheds light on hydration interventions for Native youth

The NB3 Foundation’s Evaluation and Research team recently published groundbreaking work in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health examining interventions with Native youth to promote hydration and reduce sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption.

The systematic review analyzed 13 interventions, looking not only at outcomes but also at whether they incorporated Indigenous definitions of health and wellness and actively engaged Native communities. Findings showed that only two interventions meaningfully reflected Indigenous perspectives or community involvement.

This points to the need for culturally grounded approaches that honor Indigenous ways of knowing while supporting healthier beverage choices. The study serves as a valuable resource for researchers, health professionals and community leaders, and calls for future interventions to be developed in partnership with Native communities.

The NB3 Foundation hopes these findings will guide the field toward more culturally relevant, community-led strategies that promote hydration, reduce SSB consumption and support the long-term health of Native youth and communities.

Read full paper here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40726116/

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By NB3 Foundation

Native Youth Golf Championship shines at Santa Ana Pueblo

The 2025 Native Youth Golf Championship brought together some of the best young golfers in Indian Country. From July 20 to 22 at Santa Ana Golf Club, more than 60 Native youth competed on a championship-level course, gaining valuable experience and testing their skills.

Now in its sixth year, the championship continues to provide Native youth the opportunity to come together and compete at a high level with the chance to advance to the NB3 Junior Golf National Championship. Players advancing to nationals will have the opportunity to play among the best, gain exposure to the growing world of junior golf and take part in an experience that supports both athletic and personal growth.

NB3 Foundation founder Notah Begay III hosted a golf clinic to open the event, sharing lessons on fundamentals, strategy and mindset.

“You all are the best Native youth golfers in America,” Begay said. “This is a tough game, and I’m very real about what it takes to play at a high level. This is where it starts. This is where we get a good sense of what it requires to be a tournament golfer.”

The championship featured standout performances across every division, highlighted by a playoff finish in the girls 16–18 bracket. In a hard-fought round, Kezia Danner clinched the win and will advance to the NB3 Junior Golf National Championship in Coushatta, Louisiana. She will replace Jada Dickson, who has already committed to playing collegiately at Haskell Indian Nations University.

This year also included several repeat champions,  Santana Parraz, Braxton Thomas, Amelia Silva, Wyatt Basford and Deviond Gachupin, who continued to showcase their consistency and growth in competition.

Division champions

  • Santana Parraz, Navajo Nation, girls 10–11

  • Braxton Thomas, Cherokee Nation, boys 10–11

  • Amelia Silva, Waianae, Hawaii, girls 12–13

  • Wyatt Basford, Cherokee Nation, boys 12–13

  • Dani McTague, Chickasaw and Potawatomi, girls 14–15

  • Deviond Gachupin, Pueblo of Jemez, boys 14–15

  • Jada Dickson Navajo Nation, girls 16–18

  • Kezia Danner, Navajo Nation, girls 16–18 (advancing to nationals)

  • Keola Silva, Waianae, Hawaii, boys 16–18

The championship was made possible thanks to Santa Ana Golf Club, the Pueblo of Sandia, NB3 JGNC and the supporters and donors of the NB3 Foundation who continue to create opportunities for Native youth to succeed. Their commitment ensures Native youth have the chance to compete, connect and grow through the game of golf. The NB3 Foundation looks forward to building on this year’s success in 2026.

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