By NB3 Foundation

Healthy Kids! Healthy Futures! Conference Rescheduled to 2026

The NB3 Foundation remains committed to advancing the health and wellness of Native youth and communities. As we prepare to celebrate the Foundation’s 20th anniversary in 2025, we are dedicating our efforts to honoring this milestone with special events, initiatives and reflections on two decades of impact.

To allow for thoughtful planning and full engagement in these celebrations, the Healthy Kids! Healthy Futures! Conference will be rescheduled to 2026. This decision ensures we can continue delivering a high-quality, impactful conference while also dedicating the necessary time and resources to commemorate our 20-year journey.

We appreciate your understanding and support and look forward to sharing more details about both the anniversary celebrations and the 2026 conference in the coming months.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

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By NB3 Foundation

Notah Begay III Foundation Announces Resignation of President and CEO, Tunté Vigil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM — March 5, 2025

The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation announces the resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tunté Vigil. Tunté provided leadership and commitment to advancing NB3 Foundation core campaigns and initiatives. We are grateful for her contributions that expanded programming, strengthened partnerships, and made a meaningful difference in the communities NB3 Foundation serves.

The NB3 Foundation Board and Staff wish Tunté success in her future endeavors as she explores opportunities closer to her home in Tesuque Pueblo. We are grateful for Tunté’s dedication and will begin the process of identifying a new leader to continue building on the Foundation’s success. We remain committed to carrying out our mission to ensure Native children achieve their full potential by advancing cultures of Native American community health.

For additional information, please contact:
Derek Valdo
Chairman, NB3 Foundation Board of Directors
505.404.5007

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT XC Team at National Championship: A Season of Growth and Achievement

The NB3FIT cross country team had an exceptional season, wrapping up with 22 youth  qualifying for the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship. This group included 5 8U girls, 5 8U boys, 8 9-10 girls, 1 9-10 boy, 1 13-14 boy, 1 15-18 boy, and 1 15-18 girl, with four runners competing as individuals. This year marked a significant milestone as more runners from a variety of age divisions qualified than ever before.

The team saw substantial growth, not only in numbers but in performance. In previous years, the 8U age group made up the majority of the team, but this season we witnessed a more balanced spread across age divisions. Six first-year cross-country runners were part of the team, and their rapid ability to adapt to the sport was impressive. Returning runners also achieved personal milestones, such as Jillian Calabaza from Santo Domingo Pueblo, who placed 33rd out of 199 runners at the National JOXC Championship.

Throughout the season, the team experienced significant evolution. Many runners were moving up to older age divisions and adjusting to longer race distances, which can be a challenge. However, as the season progressed, the athletes embraced the transition and worked hard to improve. Some runners saw improvements of up to 8 minutes from the start of the season, setting personal bests. The growth wasn’t just in times; the bond between the runners and coaching staff deepened, and the team became more unified. By the end of the season, we had transformed into a true family, supporting one another through challenges and celebrating each success together.

The most rewarding aspect of coaching this team was seeing the joy and determination of the athletes. Whether on race day or during practice, the team’s enthusiasm and energy made any outside struggles seem small. Being together, outdoors, and active helped everyone focus on the present and gave us a sense of community and strength.

Attending Nationals also provided our youth with valuable lessons that go beyond the track. Traveling as a team reminded them of the importance of representing themselves, their teammates and their communities. The team mantra, “Run for your people, run for your team, run for yourself,” echoed throughout the season, reinforcing the idea that dedication and hard work can open doors. For many of our runners, Nationals set a new standard, inspiring them to continually strive for greater achievements both individually and as part of the team.

This season has been a remarkable journey for the NB3FIT team, full of growth, challenges and triumphs. As we look to the future, we are excited to see where this experience will take our runners, knowing they will continue to inspire others with their passion and commitment.

With the cross country season now complete, the NB3FIT Run Club is looking ahead to track season. Registration is currently open, and practices are set to begin at the end of March. The team is eager to continue building on its success and welcomes new and returning athletes to join the program.

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation Staff Continues to Strive for New Heights


We are excited to share a story of dedication and growth within the NB3 Foundation family. Erma Trujillo, Pueblo of Cochiti, has shown incredible determination over the past two years as she worked tirelessly to achieve her goals.

While managing the demands of her role in keeping the Foundation’s finance department running smoothly, Erma also dedicated herself to completing her degree in accounting – all while raising her 10-year-old daughter with unwavering love and support. Her hard work and perseverance paid off as she recently graduated with honors from the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting (BSBA).

We’re proud to announce that Erma has now stepped into a new role as Director of Finance for the NB3 Foundation. In this leadership position, she will guide our financial strategies and help ensure the long-term sustainability of our work in supporting Native communities.

“Earning my degree while balancing work and family has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences. I’m incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my family and colleagues. I am proud to step into the role of Director of Finance, where I can continue contributing to our mission of empowering Native youth and communities,” she said. 

Please join us in congratulating Erma on her incredible achievements and this well-earned opportunity to continue making a difference. 

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By NB3 Foundation

The NB3 New Mexico Grande Slam Golf Event supports health and opportunity for New Mexico youth

The Notah Begay III New Mexico Grande Slam golf event is more than just a tournament; it’s a key fundraiser supporting the NB3 Foundation and other nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of youth across New Mexico. Each year, the event raises essential funds to provide tools, resources and programs that empower children to live healthier lives.

This year, the NB3 Foundation is proud to partner with the National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI). A portion of the funds raised will support NDI’s mission to bring dance and creative expression to youth, helping them build self-esteem, discipline and confidence.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our generous sponsors whose support makes this event possible. Your contributions are key to delivering resources and creating meaningful change in New Mexico’s communities. By raising funds for organizations that support youth, we’re helping shape a healthier future for the next generation.

We invite everyone to get involved whether through participation, sponsorship or spreading the word. Thank you to all who make the New Mexico Grande Slam a success. Your support is building a brighter future for the youth of New Mexico. See you in 2025!

Together, we go Grande for the kids of New Mexico!

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT Day: A Celebration of Health and Community

NB3FIT Day, held at North Domingo Baca Park in Albuquerque, NM, brought together over 70 Native youth and families for a day of fun, fitness and  celebration in honor of Native American Heritage Month. This free event, which is part of our ongoing commitment to providing events  for the community, focused on promoting healthy, active lifestyles for Native youth and their families.

The event featured a variety of activities designed to get participants moving, from obstacle courses, rock climbing call and tennis,  all aimed at getting families and community moving together. It was an opportunity for families to connect, have fun and prioritize health while celebrating Native heritage.

A special thanks goes out to our incredible partners, San Felipe Project Venture, Indigenous Farm Hub and US Tennis Association, whose support helped make this event a success. Their presence and contributions highlight the importance of collaboration in creating healthier communities for Native families.

We’re grateful to everyone who came out to support the event and look forward to continuing our work to provide access to health and wellness resources for Native youth and families. Thank you to all who attended, and we can’t wait for next year’s NB3FIT Day!

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By NB3 Foundation

Youth voice at the top of the agenda for HKHF Conference

Healthy Kids! Healthy Futures! Conference

Over 100 guests from Native youth serving organizations across the country attended the 2024 NB3 Foundation’s Healthy Kids! Healthy Futures! Conference June 16-18 at Sandia Resort & Resort in Albuquerque, NM.  This year’s attendees participated in sessions focused on how to effectively engage youth voice in their work and spaces.

This year’s theme Hear Me, Hear Us: Engaging Youth Voice to Build Healthier Communities brought in leaders and organizations who have been successful collaborating with youth to reach community health goals.

The conference started with an opening session hosted by Native youth leaders from across the state. Devyn Kahze (Pueblo of Laguna), Jasmine Mitchell (Diné), Chenoa Scipio (Santa Clara Pueblo, Diné) and Derek Capitan (Laguna Pueblo, Diné) facilitated a session on how organizations and communities can build meaningful relationships with the youth they serve.

Following the opening session, attendees attended learning and networking sessions hosted by presenters including: Positive Coaching Alliance, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Elevate Navajo, Native Strength Revolution, Nurture Cultivate, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, Bill Coriz Kewa educator, The BEN Initiative , Tumbleweed Nutrition and  Ho’ala ‘Aina Kupono.

Ho’ala ‘Aina Kupono and Nurture Cultivate joined us from Hawaii and shared how their youth programs rooted in culture have success engaging youth.

Great Lakes Inter Tribal Council joined us from Wisconsin and shared how their programs have had success engaging youth through elder and youth events.

Native Strength Revolution shared how the use of basic yoga techniques can help build trust and meaningful relationships with youth.

Elevate Navajo is a dedicated youth organization that focuses on mentor and youth relationships in their programs. Elevate Navajo provided tools and resources their youth leaders use to actively engage youth in program.

Zuni Youth Enrichment Project shared on their programs and how youth input drives their programs and campaigns.

Bill Coriz and educator at Santa Fe Indian School has years of experience working with Native youth. Coriz shared the tools and resources that have made him successful in his role as an educator and mentor for Native youth.

The BEN Initiative and Tumbleweed Nutrition teamed up to share how they worked with youth to increase the amount of locally grown and traditional, Indigenous foods on school lunch menus in Navajo Nation.

We’d like to thank our event sponsors BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico and Raving for helping make the event a success.

To look back on the 2024 conference visit https://www.nb3foundation.org/hkhf-conference/

Stay tuned for dates and location for 2025!

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT hosts summer camps in communities

NB3 Foundation’s NB3FIT youth program kicked off summer by hosting various sports and health camps in Native communities. Over 8 weeks, NB3FIT visited Nambe Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Albuquerque Academy and teamed up with Nike N7 for a camp in Durant, Okla. Many of the camps were days to weeks long and involved a close partnership with the participating communities.

Each camp consisted of sports, youth development activities and healthy nutrition education. The summer camps were part of NB3FIT’s efforts to broaden their reach to more communities and youth. Through the hiring of part-time coaches and summer interns, NB3FIT was able to make these camps possible for partnering communities.

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By NB3 Foundation

Youth Council attends UNITY Conference in Portland

The NB3 Foundation Youth Council had the incredible opportunity of attending the United National Indian Tribal Youth Inc. (UNITY) National Conference in Portland, Ore. June 28 to July 4. Our delegation included four youth council members, three advisors and the NB3 Foundation President and CEO. 

 

Throughout the conference, our youth actively engaged in various workshops focused on leadership, cultural preservation and community empowerment. They also had the chance to network with peers from other youth councils across the country, exchanging ideas and building lasting connections.
 

One of the highlights of the trip was the Wellness Warriors’ activities hosted at Nike Headquarters, where youth participated in fitness challenges and learned about the importance of health and wellness in Native communities.

“I enjoyed being able to participate in dances and events with many other people from around the United States,” said youth council member Corey Bird. 
 

Overall, the conference was an enriching experience that not only empowered our youth with valuable skills and knowledge, but also strengthened their sense of identity and unity within the Native American youth community.

 “It was an amazing experience. The numbers were around 3,000 youth participants. The inspirational speakers were great. The testimonies shared by the youth and advisors/sponsors were impressive; our group ideas and plans are similar to what’s going on with other youth council groups,” Bill Coriz, NB3 Foundation youth council advisor said.  

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By NB3 Foundation

Spring programs preview

Soccer:
We’re excited to welcome back our NB3FIT soccer program in spring of 2024! The last time we hosted a soccer program was in spring of 2020 – right as the pandemic hit. It’s been a long wait, but we are happy to bring the sport and program back to local youth. The youth soccer league will  provide an organized soccer league where youth will learn fundamentals of soccer and implement the skills in a competitive soccer game at the end of each week. March will mark the start of the 8-week season with a tournament to follow. Registration will open shortly after the new year. The league will be open to youth ages 6-14. 

Track:
After a successful cross country season NB3FIT is looking forward to spring track and field starting in March! Leading up to the season, conditioning camps will be hosted to prepare youth for the 12-week season.  Registration will open shortly after the new year.

Golf:
Golf will be back in full swing this spring! Spring program will start on March 11 and will run for 6 weeks at the Santa Ana Golf Club. Equipment is available for youth in program. Registration will also be open in January!

Questions about spring program can be sent to Director of NB3FIT, Clint Begay at clint@nb3f.org

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