After a seven years, the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation’s Healthy Beverage Summit returned July 16 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM bringing together more than 90 tribal leaders, educators, health professionals, youth advocates and community partners from across the country.
The summit marked the first time members of Water First! Cohort 1, Water First! Cohort 2 and the Healthy Hydration Advisory Board gathered in person. Participants reflected on what they’ve learned, shared challenges and successes from their communities, and began planning the next phase of their work to increase access to healthy beverages in their communities.
The gathering also marked an important milestone for the NB3 Foundation as it expands its healthy hydration work beyond the Southwest, welcoming new community partners in Michigan, North Dakota, North Carolina and California while continuing longstanding partnerships in New Mexico and Arizona. Water First! Cohort 2 includes the National Indian Youth Leadership Development Project (New Mexico), Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (Michigan), Native American Advancement Foundation (Arizona), Spirit Lake Youth Sports Inc. (North Dakota), Land Water and Community Coalition (North Carolina), Fresno American Indian Health Project (California) and the Hopi Tribe (Arizona).
One of the biggest themes throughout the day was learning from one another. Organizations from previous grant cycles shared how they adapted the Water Roadmap to fit their communities, offering lessons that will help guide our newest partners as they begin a 2½-year process of conducting community health assessments and developing local action plans. The Healthy Hydration Advisory Board will continue supporting that work along the way.
Youth voices remained an important part of the conversation. Members of the NB3 Foundation Youth Council, Elevate Navajo and youth from Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School participated throughout the summit and assisted with hands-on activities and presentations, reinforcing the role youth play in shaping healthier communities.
Speakers from the STAR School, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP), Ramah Navajo School Board, Inc., Brigham and Women’s Hospital and University of California Nutrition Policy Institute shared practical approaches communities can adapt to meet their own needs. During an interactive session with ZYEP, attendees worked together to create homemade sports drinks using fruit juice, honey or agave, coconut water and a pinch of salt, offering a simple alternative to store-bought electrolyte drinks.
The day also included interactive activities focused on water quality, community engagement and culturally relevant health education.
The Healthy Beverage Summit has always been about more than sharing information. It provides space for communities to build relationships, exchange ideas and strengthen a growing network committed to improving healthy beverage access across Indian Country.
The NB3 Foundation thanks Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Presbyterian for their continued support, as well as the presenters, partners and participants who helped make this year’s summit a success.
Planning is already underway for the next Healthy Beverage Summit, which will take place in July 2027. The location will be announced soon.
