Our Story

Since 2004, NAFC has trained over 2,500 Native Americans to be fitness instructors on tribal lands throughout Indian country.

A Group of People in Colorful Headdresses and White Clothing Walking in a Parade or Festival

     My son, dancing at a Hopi ceremony

Directors Message

Brian Laban [Hopi/Tewa]
Director of Culture & Education

Today our Native people live in two worlds & thus face many challenges. Native adults & elders encounter high rates of diabetes & other disease while our youth fight disproportionate mental depression & thoughts of suicide.

Back in time, when movement was our way of life, those challenges were not prevalent. Our ancestors were active in ceremonial movements, running races against other villages, & working the horses. We walked the fields & forests to pick medicinal plants, competed in stickball and other traditional Native sports. But today we have the challenge of living in two worlds.

We need educated Native trainers to lead weight lifting & cardio conditioning activities. That is good for our people. But more importantly, we need to return to our original culture of movement. We need to walk & run, as families, with a united purpose. Our youth need to dance at ceremonies & learn the old ways of sporting life & competition.

And that is why NAFC exists. We bridge the two worlds bringing movement back into Native American lives so there is healing & healthy restoration of mind, body & spirit.

                       NAFC Event Photos                              

NAFC Success

The Native American Fitness Council’s work “Training Native Trainers” has received the prestigious Leadership Award from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.  NAFC has worked with the following Native American tribes & organizations:

Nike Native Fitness Events
Indian Health Services – Federal Health Program
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Navajo Nation Special Diabetes Project
Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of Montana
Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health
Coeur d”Alene Tribe
Colorado River Indian Tribe
Seminole Tribe of Florida
The National Diabetes Prevention Program
The Tulalip Tribes
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Paiute Tribe of Utah
WINGS of America – American Indian Youth Development Programs
Klamath Tribes
Santee Sioux Nation
Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas
Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
Tohono O’odham Nation of Arizona
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The Northern Ute Tribe
Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma
Havasupai Indian Tribe
Suquamish Tribe
Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma
Riverside San Bernadino County Indian Health
Quinault Indian Tribe
Puyallup Tribe
The Hopi Health Care Center
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Jicarilla Apache Tribe
Colorado River Indian Diabetes Prevention Program
Crow Indian Tribe
Diné Wellness Alliance
Montana Native Youth Program
Centers for American Indian & Alaska Native Health
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Quechan Indian Tribe
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Native Americans for Community Action
Navajo Coordinated School Health Program
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo
Gila River Indian Community
Kansas Kickapoo Tribe
Reno Sparks Indian Colony
Ute Mountain Ute
Pasqua Yaqui
Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center                                            Big Pine Paiute Tribe

Agenda

Medical Exercise Instructor Certification

October 16th – 18th, 2023 – Hinckley, MN

Agenda

Day 1

8:00 – 8:15 Registration & Sign In
8:15 – 9:30 The Fitness Professional’s Role Working with the Medical Community
9:30 – 10:00 Exercising with Medical Conditions
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 12:00 Chronic Disease & Exercise – Hypertension, Heart Diseases
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Chronic Disease & Exercise – Respiratory Diseases
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 3:15 Special Conditions – Pregnancy
3:15 – 4:00 Working with Youth & Elders
4:00 – 4:15 Questions & Answers

Day 2

8:00 – 9:30 Warm-up – Tai Chi Elder Workout
9:30 – 10:00 Relaxation Exercise Lecture – Breathing & Soft Tissue Mobilization
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 12:00 Relaxation & Balance Exercises Hands On
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Functional Exercise System – Core Hands On
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 4:00 Functional Exercise System – Upper Body Hands On
4:00 – 4:15 Closing

Day 3

8:00 – 9:30 Warm-up – Tai Chi Elder Workout
9:30 – 10:00 Relaxation Exercise Lecture – Breathing & Soft Tissue Mobilization
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 12:00 Relaxation & Balance Exercises Hands On
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 Functional Exercise System – Core Hands On
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 4:00 Functional Exercise System – Upper Body Hands On
4:00 – 4:15 Closing

(instructors & agenda topics/times subject to change)

Agenda

Exercise & Aging Specialist Certification

October 19th & 20th, 2023 – Hinckley, MN

Agenda

Day 1

8:00 – 8:15 Check In
8:15 – 8:30 Introduction – Exercise & Aging Specialist Certification
8:30 – 9:30 The Importance of Helping our Native Elders
9:30 – 10:00 Physical Effects of Aging on Individuals
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:00 Exercise and Aging
11:00 – 12:00 Resistance, Endurance, Balance & Flexibility Training for Older Adults
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 Effectively Training Adults & Elders
2:00 – 2:45 Introduction to Functional Exercise Training System
2:45 – 3:00 Break
3:00 – 4:15 Starting an Elder Exercise Program
4:15 – 4:30 Questions & Answers

Day 2

8:00 – 8:15 Group Introductions
8:15 – 9:15 Martial Arts Inspired Movements for Elders
9:15 – 10:00 Senior Living Community Fitness Program
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15 – 11:00 Senior Living Community Fitness Program (continued)
11:00 – 12:00 Functional Exercise Training System – Balance & Agility
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:45 Functional Exercise Training System – Strength
2:45 – 3:00 Break
3:00 – 4:15 Walking Strong Program
4:15 – 4:30 Program Closing

(instructors & agenda topics/times subject to change)

Travel Information

Midwest Native Fitness Events

October 16th – 20th, 2023 – Hinckley, MN

Training Site

Meshakwad Community Center
1-320-336-0220
38043 Hinckley Road
Hinckley, MN 55037
The Meshakwad Community Center is a short half mile walk from the Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel.

Recommended Hotel

Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel
1-800-472-6321
777 Lady Luck Drive
Hinckley, MN 55037
Mention Group Code NF1015H and ask for the $89.00/nighty rate.

Local Airport

Minneapolis – Saint Paul International Airport (airport code MSP)

Ground Transport

Rental car provides the best option to get from the airport to the Grand Hinckley Inn.

The suggested shuttle transportation from MSP Airport to Hinckley, MN is Groome Transportation. The cost is about $39.00 one way when booked online. www.groometransportation.com/duluth The drop off point in Hinckley, MN is Tobie’s Station which is about 1.7 miles from the casino hotel.

Plan ahead of time to get a taxi, Uber or Lyft from Tobie’s Station to the Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel.

Meals on Your Own

Light snacks and beverages will be provided in the morning. Meals are on your own.

Hands On Learning

NAFC teaches through hands on exercise. The movements are fun and many are non strenuous. Wear appropriate workout clothing (jacket for outdoors) & gym shoes. Plan to participate at your own comfort & safety level as approved by your physician!

Native American Fitness Council Information for Accounts Payable Departments

Type of Payments Accepted

We do not accept Purchase Orders!
Credit Card – Visa or MasterCard
Check or Money Order – Made out to the: Native American Fitness Council

If Needing an Invoice

Email us with the invoice request and complete information you require. Please include Name of Organization, Names of Attendees, Trainings Attending & Total Amount.

Financial Information

Native American Fitness Council
Nonprofit Organization
EIN 84-4187667