2021 Food Sovereignty
Securing our Sustenance
Native Communities and Their Fight for Food Amidst the Pandemic
On April 12th, 2021, Federal partners from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) provided an overview of their food and nutrition programs, current flexibilities, and grant opportunities that can address food security. Tribal leaders shared how they have established food security and food sovereignty initiatives in innovative ways. If you were unable to participate in this event, you can now view the recording and download resources here:
Food Security & Sovereignty Webinar
Tribal communities have historically experienced high rates of food insecurity and the pandemic has only amplified this issue. Studies have shown that approximately 25% of Native Americans face food insecurity, and this rate is higher in rural communities where access to food is scarce. Food sovereignty offers a path toward increased food security, greater self-sufficiency, and economic opportunity. Many tribal nations have found creative ways to utilize existing federal programs to increase food security and improve access to healthy and traditional foods.
Resource Guide and Handout
Speakers
Gerald L. Hill, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
Gerald is the former General Counsel for his Nation. He is committed to acquiring and perpetuating the Oneida language and is the President of the Indigenous Language Institute (ILI).
Michelle Sauve, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Acting ACF Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs and Acting Commissioner for Administration for Native Americans
Michael Ladd
USDA, Western Region, Food and Nutrition Tribal Specialist
Cynthia LaCounte, Turtle Mountain Chippewa
Director, Office for American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiian Programs, Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living
Dr. Dan Van Otten, Ph.D., Cayuse
Technical Consultant for the Administration for Native Americans Western Region Training and Technical Assistance Center
Nora Frank-Buckner, Nez Perce Tribal Member and a Klamath Tribal Descendant
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Anna Cook, Swinomish
Associate and Youth Outdoor Educator for Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Environmental Health Program
Roberta (Robbie) Townsend Vennel
Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute (KALI). Robbie has been supporting successful economic development in rural Alaska for over 30 years as KALI’s facilitator and project director
Resources
Webinars on Food Sovereignty
- ANA Eastern TTA Center: Food Sovereignty in Native Communities Jan. 14, 2021-video not yet released
- ANA Pacific Region TTA Center: Food Sovereignty Sept. 24, 2015 https://anapacificbasin.org/food-soverreignty/
- ANA Eastern Region T/TA Center: Food Sovereignty and Economic Development in Our Native Communities April 2, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itsFqeBEbS4
- American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA): Native Chefs Explore Food Sovereignty Jan. 26, 2021 https://www.aianta.org/native-chefs-explore-food-sovereignty/
- Indigenous Foods Knowledge Network: Hopi Food Sovereignty through Farming and Coalitions May 7, 2020 Webinar: Hopi Food Sovereignty through Farming and Coalitions | IFKN
- Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI): Multiple Webinars https://indigenousfoodandag.com/resources/cultivating-tribal-food-sovereignty/
- National Congress of American Indians: Launch of NCAI’s Food Sovereignty and Food Production Resource Directory Jan. 15, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti2unWRN29I
- National Congress of American Indians: Launch of NCAI’s Oneida Nation Case Study Jan. 27, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bua3oqGAIsg
More Resources
- First Nations Development Institute: Food Sovereignty Assessment Tool https://www.firstnations.org/wp-content/uploads/publication-attachments/2015_Food_Sovereignty_Assessment_Tool.pdf
- First Nations Development Institute: Conducting Food Sovereignty Assessments in Native Communities, On-the-Ground Perspectives https://www.firstnations.org/wp-content/uploads/publication-attachments/2014-Conducting-Food-Sovereignty-Assessments-in-Native-Communities.pdf
- Indian Country Community Asset Directory https://www.indiancountryassetmap.com/
- Indigenous Food System Network https://www.indigenousfoodsystems.org/food-sovereignty
- Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) https://indigenousfoodandag.com/resources/cultivating-tribal-food-sovereignty/
- Resource Guide for Supporting Indigenous Food Sovereignty https://groundedgrub.com/articles/resource-guide-supporting-indigenous-food-sovereignty
Some ANA Food Sovereignty Grantees
- Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Expand the utilization of treaty harvested fish, game, and plants for food in tribal communities through the establishment of a Traditional Food Regulatory System. 09/30/17 – 09/29/20
- Hana Community Health Center, Reduce the number of Hana District Native Hawaiians with poorly managed diabetes, or who are high risk overweight obese through increased access to and consumption of traditional foods. 9/30/20-9/29/2021
- Hannahville Indian Community, Developing a sustainable, youth run, greenhouse and aquaponics facility to produce healthy, locally grown food, and agricultural production training opportunities. 9/30/2016 – 9/29/2019
- Indigenous Peoples Task Force, Indigi-Baby project will increase access to health targeted baby food made with traditional Native American heirloom varieties. 9/30/2018 – 9/29/2021
- Inuit Circumpolar Council Alaska, Developing an Alaskan Inuit Food Sovereignty Management Action Plan, to include hunting, gathering, fishing, land and water policies. 9/30/2018 – 9/29/2021
- Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute, hydroponic food growing. 9/30/2020-9/29/2023
- Nottawaseppi Huran Band, Project to sustain a food sovereignty initiative to provide healthy, local food to community members year round. 9/30/2018 – 9/29/2021
- White Mountain Apache Tribe, Ndee Bikiyaa: The People’s Farm, Restoring Apache Food Sovereignty has a project goal of increasing community member access to healthy, traditional, local, and sustainably grown fresh foods while also increasing agricultural knowledge. 09/30/17 – 09/29/20