SAN FELIPE PUEBLO, N.M. – An anchor in the fight against diabetes in Indian children was unveiled May 6 as members of the pueblo, tribal leaders and professional golfers broke ground on a new $750,000 community park and soccer field.

Groundbreaking for the project, spearheaded by the Notah Begay Foundation, was witnessed by more than 100 Pueblo of San Felipe members.

Tribal backers of the project include San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians of California and the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, both of which are title sponsors of the NB3 Challenge golf tournament.

Begay, a Native American pro golfer, said Indian kids’ emotional, mental and physical well-being is first on the list for the foundation. Backing it up with action is crucial.

Opening up soccer participation was a calculated move on behalf of NB3, Begay said. Mainly because although there are more than 80 tribally-owned golf courses in the United States, making the move to golf is not yet practical. Lack of facilities is a big obstacle in maintaining healthier weights of Indian youth, organizers said.

“Many parents find it easier in Indian country to take their kids to basketball tournaments, because they never played the game of golf. In fact, many of these tribes who have golf courses have never played golf, it’s just part of the business model.”

The park will be located on the San Felipe Reservation in southeast New Mexico. A long-awaited project of local tribal members, the foundation awarded a $500,000 grant to the Pueblo of San Felipe that will help build the synthetic turf soccer field and community park that will be used by 200-plus Pueblo youth. Plans are to make it the home of the San Felipe Soccer Club.

Additionally, the San Felipe Pueblo feels a sense of ownership on the new soccer field project since $250,000 in tribal funds was used to ensure the construction, officials said.

“This is a place you can come together, exercise and play,” said Pueblo of San Felipe War Chief Michael A. Sandoval. “This is the place you can support and be proud of.”

Type 2 diabetes is a target for both tribal leaders and the NB3 Foundation, since the preventable disease is hitting Indian country hard, officials said. Diabetes’ link to obesity and inactivity make the pancreas-deficiency an obvious if somewhat elusive target for Indians.

“Our children are dying,” Begay said. “Add it’s preventable.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, Native children and adolescents have a higher incidence of obesity prevalence than any other minority group. Typical measures, which start at home, like a balanced diet, are only part of the formula. The other components include sports programming that provides support for the individual and cohesiveness for those with the same battle.

Organizers are already looking for additional funds that will enable the Pueblo to complete the soccer field with landscaping, playground and walking trails. Construction of the first phase of the project should be completed before Sept. 1, in line with the start of the upcoming soccer season, officials said.

The NB3 Foundation takes requests for funding tribal projects that are health and sports centered. Established in 2005, the foundation supports sustainable, evidence-based and innovative programs to develop physical fitness and leadership skills.

Begay said fighting diabetes starts by keeping children fit. But an underlying notion is also at the heart of their organized sports campaign.

“Our kids are responsible for their own lives. That’s what they learn. And they’re capable of realizing their dreams.”

Editor’s note: Indian Country Today is a division of Four Directions Media, which is owned by Oneida Nation Enterprises, LLC.