By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT XC: running strong

 

Since the start of the season, the NB3FIT cross-country team is gaining momentum with each practice and race. The team has caught some attention in communities and has welcomed 10 new runners since the start of the season bringing the current roster to 32. Runners represent nine different tribes and pueblos, with a few runners traveling 40-minutes to over an hour to participate in practice and meets.

Before COVID, practices were hosted in local pueblos, allowing easier access to the cross-country program. However, to maintain the safety of communities many are still are closed to the public. This year the cross-country team practices in Albuquerque, N.M. where parks are open to the public. The goal is to get back into the communities whenever it is safe to do so, Clint Begay, director of NB3FIT said.  Our upside to the one practice location is that the team is really close knit and runners of all ages know each others names, Begay said. Instead of only seeing teammates from other communities on race day, they now see and practice with each other four times a week.

NB3FIT XC has competed in two races since the first meet and will race again this Saturday, October 30 in the Cougar Track Club Cross Country Meet and again on November 6 for the USATF State Race. The youth are gaining strength and experience with each race, Begay said. Some youth knocking several minutes off their time just from the first to second race.

Keep an eye on the NB3 Foundation social media for updates on the team as they compete!

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT stays proactive, finishes 23 trainings in four months

In just four months, while our team was adjusting to unprecedented changes from the pandemic, the NB3FIT team completed 23 trainings all focused on advancing their skills and knowledge of the in sports in our youth programming.Above you will see the list of trainings and you’ll see how beneficial they will all be to not only the coaches, but to the youth who participate in NB3FIT Programming.With hope of in-person programming returning sooner than later, our NB3FIT coaches will be ready and even more skilled than they were just a year ago.

 

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By NB3 Foundation

Staff Report: Team members attend workshops to promote inclusivity and accessibility

Members of the NB3 Foundation attended an Ableism 1010 workshop series hosted by the University of Arizona’s Disability Cultural Center. The program was aimed at providing base knowledge about disability identity, culture and activism. During the series, staff learned about ableist terminology, micoraggressions, disability activism history and how to create accessible spaces and events, and about the roots of disability justice work.

Earlier this month, staff also attended the Inaugural American Indian Youth Disability Summit   hosted by the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. The virtual gathering focused on the youth experience in Native communities during the COVID-19 pandemic and what can be done to help youth adapt during these unprecedented times.

Attending these free workshops were a great learning experience and one example of how the NB3 Foundation is continually growing and learning to better promote inclusivity and accessibility in all our youth programs, events and work.

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By NB3 Foundation

NB3FIT XC goes virtual

 

This year the NB3FIT XC program went virtual for the first time this fall. Due to the pandemic, Cross Country was postponed just like many other youth sports. However, we wanted the youth to be active during this time even if we couldn’t be there in person. Going virtual was not an easy decision, but we knew we wanted to provide a way for new and veteran runners to still participate in a XC program safely.

In preparation, curriculum was created and workout videos were recorded. These videos included a dynamic warm up, cool down stretches, and circuit training follow-along videos recorded by our own coaches and staff.

Forty youth registered from Santa Ana, Jemez, San Felipe, Santo Domingo,  Acoma Pueblos and Navajo Nation. For six weeks, parents received a workout plan for the runners to complete for the week. The runners were asked to practice three times a week, completing two runs, a circuit training and attend a check in with the coaches. These check in’s were a time for the coaches to interact with the athletes and do various fun activities such as running games, “Team Time”, meditation and other leadership activities. To assist in keeping track of the runners’ progress, each one received a FitBit. Coaches challenged the athletes to achieve 10,000 steps a day and because of this, the kids all together totaled over 9 million steps! Top 3 with the most steps were Julyssa Montoya, Sandia Pueblo with 468,984 steps; Quinton Begay, Jemez, San Felipe, Navajo, with 458,313 steps; and Lisa Leon, Santa Ana Pueblo, with 446,129 steps!

It is incredible what these runners achieved in six weeks and all the coaches are so proud of them.

It wouldn’t have worked how we imagined without the help and support from the parents. Thank you to them and their runners for being apart of this first Virtual XC experience. We hope next season will be in person!

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By NB3 Foundation

Gachupin, evaluation coordinator, graduates with Master’s in Public Health

Special congrats to NB3 Foundation team member Alva Gachupin (Pueblo of Jemez) for achieving an amazing milestone! Gachupin will be graduating from the University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health with her Master’s in Public Health on December 18.

We are so proud of Alva, not only has she played an integral role in  helping build and excel our Indigenous Evaluation and Research Department, but she has been accomplishing her educational goals at the same time!

Congrats Alva, you show us all that hard work and dedication pays off! We are so honored to have you on our NB3 Foundation team.

“I received my Master’s in Public Health from the University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. The journey I set forth to reach this milestone has had its share of trials and tribulations and it tested my ability to continue to move toward my goals and to persevere from the different challenges along this journey. It gave me the ability to see through a different lens, it gave me the opportunity to learn and grow as individual, as a mother, and as a Jemez woman. Obtaining your hardest goals and dreams can be scary but the more you put yourself through uncomfortable positions, you come out even stronger. I did something that scared me for years, and I am fortunate and humble that I did take this journey. If it wasn’t for my past, and current mentors along my journey, I wouldn’t be where I am. I plan to grow my career in public health and to be an advocate for our Native American communities because all too often, we are a statistic and that has to stop at some point. The knowledge gained is not only for me, it is also for my people, and our youth that will someday lead us.”

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By NB3 Foundation

Tsosie earns certificate in Health Wellness Public Safety

Special shout out to our Advancement Administrative Assistant, Jessica Tsosie for earning her certificate in Health Wellness Public Safety from Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Jessica is a non-degree seeking student at CNM completing pre-requisites to apply for her Doctor of Physical Therapy Program.

We are happy that Jessica joined our team early this year! She has been a great addition to the Advancement team and the NB3 Foundation family. We are so proud of her accomplishment and look forward to cheering her on as she continues her academic endeavors.

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By NB3 Foundation

Silva recognized for work advancing community health

It’s been a busy few months for Leroy “Buster” Silva as he been the recent recipient of two awards celebrating the work he does in community. Silva was first recognized by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development as a recipient of their 40 under 40 award! The award is bestowed upon individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated leadership, initiative and have made significant contributions to their community.

“We are so grateful to have Leroy on our NB3 Foundation team. The energy and true passion he has for strengthening communities is apparent in all that he does,” COO/Acting President and CEO Jon Driskell said. “It is great to see him being recognized for all his hard work and dedication.”

Silva was also recognized as the Con Alma Health Foundation’s 2020 Hero of Health! Fellow NB3 Foundation team member Simone Duran, who works closely with Leroy, nominated him for the award.

“He is a passionate leader who loves to help communities create positive changes to live healthy, strong and resilient,” Duran said.

In such a challenging year, it makes us feel good to see one of our own receiving such well-deserved recognitions.

“Da’wa’eh (Thank You) to everyone who has supported me along my leadership journey. Leaders are made in many different ways. All I can say is that I have been groomed by the best minds and hearts in the world,” Silva said. “Thank you for challenging me, thank you for the opportunities to grow, and thank you for taking a chance on me. When I shine, YOU shine!”

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By NB3 Foundation

NYM Community Team meetings draw to a close; work in communities continues

 

On August 26, NB3 Foundation hosted our last meeting with the Native Youth on the Move Community Team.
Over the last two years, we had the pleasure of working with nine organizations, from the Albuquerque area and surrounding Pueblo communities, to create more opportunities for Native youth to participate in play, physical activity and sports.

 

The numbers tell the story. This graphic breaks down the quantitative data which highlights all the work and impact that took place over the last two years.

Pre-COVID, the NYM Community Team attended monthly in-person gatherings where they learned and shared with community partners from across New Mexico. In these gatherings, teams shared their programming, collaborated on various events, and were provided helpful tools, such as Zines, Photo Voice, and Graphic Note Taking, to help them along their journey.

By utilizing a collective impact approach, we were able to gather support from local organizations, businesses, sports teams, and community champions.  Each partner played an important role throughout the Native Youth on the Move journey, and we are grateful for their support!

 

This graphic showcases the tools that the NYM cohort learned and utilized through-out their journey together.

 

Lastly, we would like to thank the NYM Community Team for their time and commitment to Native children’s health! It was a pleasure watching your programs grow and prosper, but most importantly—it was so nice to build meaningful relationships with you all.

Stay tuned as we share the stories of impact our community partners had on the youth in the programming and communities.

 

Native youth on the Move Community Team:

Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women
Cycles of Life (Karuna Colectiva)
Mountain Chief Institute (Spirit of Hoops)
National Indian Youth Council
Native American Community Academy
Native Health Initiative (Running Medicine)
Pueblo of Laguna (Sports & Wellness Department)
Pueblo of Santa Ana ( Youth Programming Department)
Tribal Entities Connect
NB3FIT

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By NB3 Foundation

Native youth golfers qualify for Jr. National Championship at  NB3 Foundation’s Inaugural All-Native Youth Golf Tournament 

Zachary BlueEyes winner of 13 and under boys division.
Over 30 Native youth golfers ages 8-18 competed in the NB3 Foundation Inaugural All-Native National Youth Golf Tournament on August 3-4 at the Santa Ana Golf Club, Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M. Three of whom have qualified to play on the national stage in the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship at Kosati Pines at Coushatta in Kinder, La. in November.
 “I am proud of the youth, families and coaches who participated in our inaugural event. Despite the set-back with COVID-19, we were honored to host a top-notch event for Native youth and to continue to provide them with opportunities for their future,” said Justin Huenemann, president and CEO.
Skyler Woods,14, Shandiin Harper,17, and Zachary BlueEyes,13, all representing the Navajo Nation, won their respective age divisions securing themselves a spot to play in the national event November 15-17 that will be aired on Golf Channel.
“I’m definitely super excited and ready to go,” said Harper when asked about qualifying for the national tournament. Harper is from Farmington, N.M. and currently plays golf for Piedra Vista High School.
BlueEyes, from Kirtland, N.M., said he had some ups and downs throughout the tournament, but he still managed to hold steady lead in the 13-and-under boy’s division on both days.
“I played good. Some holes I did bad, but I shook it off and just played on and tried my best,” he said.
Woods, winner of the boys 14-18 age division, plays golf for Kirtland Central Highschool in Kirtland, N.M. Woods said despite having a rough back nine on the last day, he’s glad he was able to pull it off and come out with the win.
Looking forward to playing in Louisiana for the national championship, Woods said, “I’m excited to play on a new course that’s really nice.”
“It was great to see Native youth of all ages come out to play in this event,” said Clint Begay, director of NB3FIT. “Our Native communities put out some really great golfers. It’ll be awesome seeing our Native youth represent and compete on the national stage in November.”
Due to state travel restrictions with COVID-19, the event was only open to Native youth residing in New Mexico. However, the hope is by next year youth from all around Indian Country will be able to travel to play in the NB3 Foundation All-Native National Youth Golf Tournament.
Qualifying SCORES:
Skyler Woods (14-18 boys division) – 83, 86 — Two Round Total – 169
Shandiin Harper (14-18 girls division) – 79, 79, — Two Round Total – 158
Zachary BlueEyes (13 and under boys division) – 87, 88 — Two Round Toal – 175
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By NB3 Foundation

NB3 Foundation taps one of its own to develop new Evaluation and Research Department

The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation is excited to promote Renee Goldtooth-Halwood to lead its new Department of Evaluation and Research.  As the new Director of Evaluation and Research, Ms. Goldtooth-Halwood will help develop a department focused on indigenizing evaluation and research practices that reflect and respect the communities we serve.

Too often, evaluation and research practices collide with or misrepresent Indigenous people. The results are research methods and evaluation data that do not improve the life of Indigenous peoples nor support their interests, but rather support theories of change and interventions that may or may not support or reflect Indigenous peoples.

“Creating a formal department focused on Indigenous Evaluation and Research is exciting and needed.  And I am thrilled that Renee is going to lead this important journey for us. She holds a sincere passion for helping our relatives tell their stories and to keep track of their own journey through methods that genuinely improve their lives,”said Justin Huenemann, president and CEO.

Renee is Diné from Whippoorwill Spring and Chinle, Ariz. She is a doctoral of public health student at the University of Arizona’s Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health located on Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui homelands. She has been with the organization for six years

“Indigenous peoples have always been evaluators and researchers. So, it makes sense to have a department that elevates and prioritizes our voice, art, values and geography. I recognize evaluation and research processes that are viewed as a collective are more powerful, and I will humbly continue living and learning alongside those in this space,” said Goldtooth-Halwood.

The NB3 Foundation remains committed to honoring community knowledge, stories and practices that have supported centuries of resiliency and determination. When communities are the architects of their own evaluation approach and their own research agenda, then the measures, impacts and knowledge gained are owned by and matter to the community.

 

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