AKWESASNE -- The Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club (ABGC) is getting $39,211 to extend their Akwesasne Strong program.

The cash comes from the Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3F) in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.

Akwesasne Strong will make the club’s T.R.A.I.L program available during the summer program and to teens. It will include lessons on diabetes prevention, nutrition label reading, alternatives to a healthy lifestyle and growing vegetables and fruit in a garden.

“ABGC thanks the NB3 Foundation for selecting us to be the first Tribe east of the Mississippi River to receive a NB3 grant. We look forward to starting the work to help our youth become more knowledgeable about diabetes prevention, said club Executive Director Jessica Cree Jock.

“In partnership with the Seeds of Native Health initiative- created and funded by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, we are able to support healthy nutrition efforts in tribal communities. The Promising Program grants will invest in Native-led strategies that have shown real promise and dedication to addressing childhood obesity,” said Olivia Roanhorse, director for NB3F’s Native Strong program.