Canku Ota - December 27, 2003 - Walking the Talk Against Diabetes

ALBUQUERQUE - PGA Pro Notah Begay III, with four PGA Tour wins, captivated the audience at the National Congress of American Indians’ 60th Annual Convention Banquet.

Begay, a graduate of Stanford University, said as a young boy he took the bus to play golf and doors did not swing wide for an American Indian seeking professional success.

"It didn’t want to let me in the door. I had to knock it down," he said of arriving at the PGA championship.

Begay said no one thought he could compete against the best players in the world, but that is what he is doing.

"I made peace with it, I made peace with my path," he said. "It is a balance between my body and my spirit."

Now, Begay, 31, said his focus is not only on golf, but creating educational opportunities for Indian youth with traditions and culture as the centering point.

"My mother always stressed to me, when you have difficulties, reflect on your culture."

Begay said diabetes is becoming the greatest killer of Indian people. "I’m going to go out and be an advocate for exercise and an advocate for prevention."

Praising the walk to raise health and fitness awareness during NCAI’s annual convention, he said, "What we did was we went out and walked together.

"This is my opportunity to give something back. This effort is to create a healthier Indian country across the board."

Remembering the Trail of Tears and the Longest Walk, he said, "It killed so many of us.

"Now, think about how many people are dying because they are not walking." Further, he said they are accepting diabetes as "something that is going to take them down."

Issuing a challenge to leaders, Begay said, "Our people gravitate toward leaders.

Begay praised fundraisers for Boys and Girls clubs in Indian country, including Ernie Stevens, Oneida, for raising the first $5 million.

"Don’t let our kids be labeled ‘Generation Zero,’ but ‘Generation No for Diabetes.’"

Begay showed a video, Rezkids, of Boys and Girls clubs in Indian country, including scenes from Northern Cheyenne youths at Lame Deer, Mont. Currently, there are 145 Boys and Girls clubs reaching 70,000 youths.

He said there are too many young people in Indian country feeling that they have been shut out, and need to be included.

NCAI President Tex Hall followed Begay by saying, "Healthy is hot! Treaties, not diabetes!

"Look at all those tribal leaders that walk the talk," Hall told the NCAI Banquet.

Earlier, seated at his booth in the NCAI exhibit hall, Begay said it is no longer a question of who has diabetes, but who doesn’t have it, including members of his family.

Begay said sugar intake and the use of artificial sweeteners is at an all-time high in Indian country.

"Those are definitely not as good as water," Begay said in an interview with Indian Country Today.

At NCAI, the San Manuel Bottled Water Group announced a two-year endorsement agreement with Begay on behalf of Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water.

Deron Marquez, chairman of the tribe in California, joined Begay at NCAI for the announcement.

Marquez said the bond was created for the purposes of education of Indian people.

Begay said, "I know I’m very excited about it. It’s an opportunity for two Native American entities to try to make a difference."

Marquez said one problem faced by Native people is the media infringing on their identity, creating misconceptions of Native people.

"Reservations are starting to see more gangs. It seems like the hip thing to do," Marquez said of the media’s influence on Indian youths.

Reflecting on recent years, Begay said he was coming out of a three-year injury and this year was particularly difficult, but it has been a tremendous success.

Begay said the PGA 2004 tour begins in January in Hawaii and joked about what a rough place that Hawaii is to work in. But he was serious about engaging in professional golf and improving his game.

"There is lots of criticism for shortcomings." His personal struggles have made him appreciate the efforts of tribal leaders who stay up past midnight, working on tribal councils and elsewhere, for the good of the people.

"I can identify as an athlete. When you’re in the spotlight, it brings a great deal of criticism. It is always easy to take potshots."

But he said he doesn’t pay much attention to jealousy. He said worrying about jealousy would keep him from concentrating on his game.

As a young person, Begay said he was always driven from a position of expecting change in Indian country. Working with a Native water company and promoting exercise are ways to promote positive change, he said.

"We are going to help one another along the way, adhering to our traditional values."