Join us in welcoming Ryan Arkie to the NB3 Foundation team as our evaluation and research assistant!
Ryan is a Pueblo of Laguna tribal member and a graduate of Dartmouth College with a BA in Cultural Anthropology. He is currently working towards his MPH in Health Promotion from George Washington University.
“I am driven to help alleviate chronic diseases that remain prevalent in Indigenous communities. Understanding that these issues are preventable ignites my desire to educate younger generations on how to live healthier lives and promote self-efficacy.”
Ryan is an avid runner who also enjoys exploring, hiking, camping, and coffee excursions.
We’re thrilled to have Ryan join the #NB3Fam.
The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation is excited to announce a new interactive resource for communities interested in reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and those who have been working towards a healthier community. This resource titled, “Increase Healthy Beverage Consumption and Reduce Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs): A Community Roadmap,” displays easy-to-understand concepts, developed from high-level research, that can be accessed by a variety of users seeking information on how to begin, strengthen and reinforce healthy water consumption in their communities.
“We know that when we consume sugary drinks our risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, dental issues and obesity increases. This community road map is a great starting point and learning tool for communities that are working to make positive change and improve community health,” said NB3 Foundation COO, Jon Driskell.
This resource is the result of a two-year Water First! journey with eight community partners. Together, this learning community explored and shared methods and strategies for making water a first-choice drink in their communities. NB3 Foundation also partnered with the National Drinking Water Alliance and the National Tribal Water Center to build this interactive roadmap to assist communities everywhere.
“What is great about this interactive map is that it includes tips, resources and examples from our community partners and partner organizations who have been through the process,”said Driskell.
The roadmap guides the user through five steps, each step offering specific information, links and resources. Recognizing every community’s needs are different, this community roadmap will help inform each unique journey, from early visioning through evaluation, without being prescriptive.
Whether you are contemplating strategies to improve community health, are already working to reduce SSB consumption or increase drinking of water, or are simply looking for information for Indigenous communities, check out this fun and interactive resource.
Special thanks to our collaborators/partners:
Christina Hecht, PhD, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California
Laura Vollmer, MPH, RD, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California
Marleah LaBelle, M.A., National Tribal Water Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Current and former NB3 Foundation team members
Water First! Community Team
Check out the roadmap on our Resources page.
announced that it is partnering with eight schools in New Mexico for its Active Schools campaign. This campaign is aimed at supporting schools in their efforts to promote the health and fitness of their students during the pandemic.
“This has been an immensely challenging year for schools, educators and students everywhere. Educators have unique opportunities to promote healthy behaviors for their students which is why the Foundation will support schools across the state serving our Native students,” Jon Driskell, NB3 Foundation COO said. “Providing this modest funding and training opportunity is one way we can enhance the work schools are doing to make positive impacts in their communities.”
The Active Schools campaign supports schools with a high enrollment of Native American students in organizing events and activities that promote one or more of the Foundation’s four core areas: healthy nutrition, physical activity, youth development and cultural connections.
Schools joining the NB3 Foundation Active Schools campaign include:
- Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, N.M. to support a wellness challenge and a storyteller night that will engage students and families in learning the significance of cultural stories during the winter season.
- Dream Diné Charter School in Shiprock, N.M. to provide students with equipment and additional learning resources that will promote physical activity and healthy nutrition.
- Dził Ditł’ooí School of Empowerment Action and Perseverance (DEAP) in Navajo, N.M. to support healthy nutrition by implementing a monthly nutrition program and providing families with kitchenware and healthy recipes.
- Laguna Elementary School in Laguna Pueblo, N.M. to host a virtual run/walk event during spring break to promote physical activity.
- Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, N.M. to host weekly fitness challenges from February through March, as well as hosting a water challenge encouraging students, families and staff to drink more water.
- Mescalero Apache School in Mescalero, N.M. to host a virtual jump rope challenge for the students in the district.
- Cuba Independent School District in Cuba, N.M. to facilitate a video contest for youth to promote physical activity, self-esteem and confidence.
- Vista Grande High School in Taos, NM to host physical activity challenges and a nutrition event focused on students preparing a meal with one or more “pre-contact” foods.
The schools will also attend a “Playing to Heal & Virtual Facilitation” training from Up2Us Sports. They will explore both the aspects of stress on the brain, the effects of COVID, and facilitation techniques to use for creating healing-centered virtual experiences.
“Our ultimate goal for the campaign is to help schools and students start 2021 on a positive note,” NB3 Foundation Community Coordinator Leroy Silva said. “The importance of our health is at an all-time high, especially within Native American communities … we’re excited to partner with these schools and look forward to highlighting all the amazing work they do to promote the health and wellbeing of their students.”
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!
Today, the Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation announces that it has made grant awards to 53 Native-led organizations in 14 states who are working to alleviate the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The NB3 Foundation established its COVID-19 Response Fund in April, raising over $400,000 to support COVID relief efforts in Native communities.
“NB3 Foundation is honored to be providing this funding to Native communities during this critical time of the pandemic,” said Jon Driskell, NB3 Foundation chief operations officer. “We know the impacts of COVID-19 will be ongoing, so we are grateful to partner with Native-led efforts working to provide for those in need.”
The awarding of these essential grants marks the end of the NB3 Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund.
The NB3 Foundation will continue to address the public health needs magnified by COVID-19 through supporting culturally responsive, health prevention strategies that strengthen Indigenous resiliency. This pandemic is a strong reminder of the greater need to invest in the long-term health sustainability of our Indigenous youth and communities, particularly on reservations and pueblos.
We are honored to support the amazing work of these organizations and tribes:
Acoma Education Foundation
Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture
Alaska Village Initiatives
Barcid Foundation
Center Pole
Central Oklahoma American Indian Health Council, Inc. dba Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Cheyenne River Youth Project
Chizh for Cheii
Consolidated Tribal Health Project Inc
Denver Indian Family Resource Center
Diné Healers Relief
Diné Introspective, Inc.
Eastern Shawnee Tribe Of Oklahoma
F.A.C.E.S. First, Ltd.
First Nations Community HealthSource
Hannahville Indian Community
Healing Circle Drop In Center
Healing Our Communities
Hearts Gathered Immersion School
Indigenous Idaho Alliance
Indigenous Knowledge Collective
Inter Tribal Sports, Inc.
Kewa Child Care & Development
Kno’Qoit Native Wellness, Inc.
La Jolla Generations Program
Laguna Rainbow Corporation
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
LF: Friends for Life
Makoce Agriculture Development
NACA-Inspired Schools Network
Native Action Network
Native American Advancement Foundation
Native American Community Board
Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC) of the SFPS Native American Student Services Program (NASS)
Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council
Oglala Sioux Tribe Partnership for Housing, Inc.
Oneida Nation
Pueblo of Pojoaque Early Childhood Center
Pueblo of San Felipe
Pueblo of Sandia
Ramah Navajo School Board. Inc and Ramah Navajo Chapter
Rez Refuge Community Center
Santa Clara Pueblo
Santa Clara Pueblo Regional Adult Day Care
Santa Clara Pueblo Senior Center
Santo Domingo Tribal Housing Authority
Sicangu Community Development Corporation
Society of Native Nations
St. Michael Indian School
Stockbridge-Munsee Community
Thunder Valley CDC
Ute Tribe Health Coalition
yəhaw̓ Indigenous Artist Collective
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported the NB3 Foundation on #GivingTuesday!
Whether you donated, shared our donation link or simply liked our posts, we thank you for the love 
The numbers are in, and you helped us raise over $10,000 to support Native American children’s health in 2021!
Our sincere thanks for helping make #GivingTuesday a success.
Press Release from Nalgene Outdoor
Nalgene Outdoor, maker of reusable water bottles and the steward of The Nalgene Water Fund, pledges its support to Navajo Nation (Diné) with the launch of its exclusive “Tó éí iiná” (Water is Life) bottle, from which five dollars from every sale will benefit Navajo Nation. Additionally, Nalgene recently donated nearly $30,000 in funds and critical supplies to combat the water crisis facing America’s largest Indigenous tribe.
Available for purchase at Nalgene.com for $15.00, the new bottle was designed in partnership with Jaden Redhair, age 20, an accomplished designer, member of the Jemez Clan, and life-long Navajo Nation resident. His unique design features a striking landscape of Monument Valley framed within the map of the Navajo homeland. Displayed prominently on the bottle is the Navajo phrase “Tó éí iiná” (Water is Life) to raise awareness of the Navajo’s core belief that water is essential to all living things.
“The design symbolizes the sacred role water plays in the Diné people’s lives,” says Redhair. “I hope it draws attention to my people’s plight. Right now, one in three Navajo Nation households struggle daily because they do not have access to running water.”
The exclusive bottle is a way to involve Nalgene fans in a mission to support the Navajo Nation, expanding the Nalgene Water Fund’s greater commitment:
- Five dollars from the sale of every Tó éí iiná (Water is Life) bottle will go directly to future water efforts to provide additional resources to Navajo Nation residents.
- With Nalgene’s initial donation of $15,000, The Community Outreach & Patient Empowerment (COPE) Program, a Native-led community-based organization, will install six water filling stations across Navajo Nation, a notoriously rural area.
- COPE will also distribute 90 much needed Nalgene Carboys, 13 gallons reusable leak-proof containers to Navajo residents to transport water from the refill stations. (Valued at $14,000)
Every Nalgene bottle is BPA- and BPS-free, durable, leak-proof, dishwasher safe and made in America with its tried and true, one bottle and one cap simple design that has become iconic to Nalgene.
For more information on The Nalgene Water Fund or to read more about Jaden Redhair and his design for the new Navajo inspired Nalgene bottle, visit https://nalgene.com/nalgene-water-fund/
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About the Artist: Jaden Redhair
Jaden Redhair is from the Jemez Clan and born for the Charcoal Streaked of the Red Running into the Water Clan. His maternal grandfather’s clan is Water’s Edge and his paternal grandfather’s clan is Bitter Water. In Navajo, “Tó éí iiná” translates to “Water is Life.” Water is the essence and the focal point of the Diné people, but many of the homes on the Navajo Nation do not have access to running water or electricity. With the Nalgene Water Fund, Jaden created a bottle design to help raise funds for accessible water throughout the Navajo Nation, a nation of well over 300,000 people.
Jaden helps progress the Navajo Nation forward through his education and design work. He is currently an undergraduate studying electrical engineering at Stanford University (’22), but for all his life, he has known Window Rock, Arizona on the Navajo Nation as his home. Eldest of seven children, Jaden seeks to be a role model to his younger siblings, teaching them to be proud of their community and give back in any way they can. His work not only raises awareness about and funds for Navajo issues, but also enables Navajo people to make a change for the better, one person and one community at a time.
About NALGENE Outdoor
NALGENE® Outdoor Products is based in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1949 as a manufacturer of the first plastic pipette holder, the company soon expanded its product line to include state-of-the-art polyethylene labware under the NALGENE brand. By the mid-1970s, outdoor enthusiasts had discovered the taste and odor-resistant, leak-proof and rugged properties of NALGENE’s large selection of plastic containers. In response to this emerging demand, NALGENE Outdoor Products was formed and today the consumer-oriented business offers its customers a wide choice of safe, environmentally friendly, BPA- and BPS- free products that meet their lifestyle needs. For more information, contact NALGENE Consumer Products or visit www.nalgene.com.
The Nalgene Water Fund
The Nalgene Water Fund (NWF) was created in August 2019 to raise funds and awareness for [domestic] U.S. communities struggling with access to clean water by supporting grass-roots nonprofits serving those communities. By fall 2020 the NWF had identified programs in both Flint, MI and Navajo Nation to benefit from donations. In Flint, MI the NWF is helping to support The Flint Community Lab, a community-run lab that is for and by the local community, instilling trust as the City rebuilds from its water crisis. For more information visit www.nalgene.com/nalgene-water-fund/.
Back in March our amazing partner Raving planned to host the sixth Native Strong Comedy Slam and Jam at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Expo benefitting NB3 Foundation. Due to the pandemic the event has been postponed until further notice. However, you can still support the guitar auction by making a bid through April 2021: https://one.bidpal.net/comedyslam/browse/all
Donated signed guitars from Los Lonely Boys, Styx and other artists are featured.
Thank you to our sponsors:
AGEM
Barona Band of Mission Indians
Bold Concepts
BMM Test Labs
Bristol Associates, Inc.
California Indian Legal Service
Casino Science
Catalyst Marketing Company
Etix
Everi Holdings
Gary Platt Manufacturing
IGT – International Gaming Technology
Imagine This
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
National Indian Gaming Association
New Horizon Kids Quest, Inc.
PNM
Pueblo of Sandia
Raving Consulting Company
Dennis Conrad
George Hiller Jr., NB3 Foundation Board
Audrey Martinez, NB3 Foundation Board
Red Circle
ROI Solutions, Inc.
Sagebrush Hill Group, LLC
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
Seminole Tribe of Florida
Talisman Group
University of Phoenix
Like so many other organizations, we were unsure how to go about our annual events. In 2020, many of our events were canceled for the safety of our youth and communities. However, we were able to host NB3FIT Week and our NB3FIT Community XC Race virtually!
“We are so thankful we had the ability to go virtual and that our Native youth and communities, near and far, showed up and participated,” Cyanne Lujan, director of advancement said. “Though we couldn’t see our community members in person for the race, going virtual allowed everyone the opportunity to participate no matter where they live.”
NB3 Foundation has been hosting NB3FIT Week every November since 2016. NB3FIT Week has always been a week-long initiative dedicated to getting Native youth and communities healthy and active! Each year, NB3 Foundation calls on Native organizations and tribes to host health and fitness events for their youth and community members. This year, Native communities across the country hosted their own virtual and socially-distanced events that provided their community the opportunity to stay active while staying SAFE.
Going virtual for the NB3FIT Virtual XC Race was also a new scene for the NB3 Foundation, and served as a great learning experience for the years to come.
“Going forward, I think we will always provide the virtual aspect,” Lujan said. “We learned this is a great way to be inclusive of Native youth and communities who cannot travel and participate in person.”
We especially want to recognize the organizations, communities and families that joined us for our virtual events. For the first time, NB3 Foundation provided instructional videos to participants to help promote physical activity and healthy nutrition during NB3FIT Week.
“Like everyone else, we were limited on what we could do safely this year. We tried our best and were able to try some new things this year with the videos and NB3FIT Week Bingo,” Lujan said. “We look forward to learning from 2020 and making 2021 an even better experience for Native youth and families.”
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