NB3 Foundation Awards Six Water First! Grants to Support Increased Consumption of Healthy Beverages

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, NM–September 14, 2018–The Notah Begay III (NB3) Foundation, funded by Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Seeds of Native Health Initiative has awarded six grants of $15,000 each to the following Minnesota and Washington tribes Native American-led community partners (grantees):

  • Lower Sioux Indian Community (MN)

  • Bois Forte Band of Chippewa (MN)

  • Native American Community Clinic (MN)

  • Confederated Tribes and Bands of Yakama (WA)

  • Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (WA)

  • Sauk Suiattle Indian Tribal Clinic (WA)

“We are looking forward to learning from and working closely with these communities. They are developing or implementing strategies that build on the cultural value of water and other healthy beverages, such as indigenous teas and breastfeeding in their communities. We are fortunate to have them join our growing network to promote healthier alternatives,” said Olivia Roanhorse, Vice President of Programs for NB3 Foundation.

The high consumption of SSBs has been linked to obesity and nutrition related diseases. Native American children, in particular, have been disproportionately affected. The Water First! grant focuses on changing this trajectory by reducing sugary beverages from Native children’s diets and creating healthy habits for children.

“Native American children are consuming a large amount of their daily calories from sugary drinks today representing the biggest source of added sugar in children’s diets,” said Justin Huenemann, President and CEO of the NB3 Foundation. “It is critical that our children drink more water daily and decrease their sugary drink intake.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), such as soft drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened milk and any other beverages to which sugar has been added – are the largest source of added sugar with no nutritional value and a major contributor of calories in the U.S. diet.

Notah Begay III Foundation

290 Prairie Star Rd. | Santa Ana Pueblo, NM | 87004

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