tribal

“We measure success one student at a time,” said John Phillips, chief of staff at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), an organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities at 37 Tribal colleges and universities throughout the United States. AIHEC plays a vital role in helping these institutions, many of which hold land-grant status, to preserve and promote Native American culture by incorporating traditional knowledge and cultural values into their programs.

Known as the Farmer’s Lawyer, Equity Commission Agriculture Subcommittee member Sarah Vogel has been vocal on issues impacting rural and Tribal communities; farmers who are young, new, and beginning; women; and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and farmworkers. Vogel became passionate for those involved in the agriculture industry through her upbringing in North Dakota where the linkage between family farms and the vitality of small towns is strong. Over the past two years, Vogel has been integral in ensuring the voice and needs of underserved people are heard, even urging USDA to bring the Equity Commission to Bismarck, North Dakota.

“It’s been great to have a team that’s not afraid to let me share my opinion, share my identity. I feel like in this space, I’ve been proud of who I am.”

On June 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held its Pacific Northwest Regional Equity Convening on the beautiful grounds of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s Tamastslikt Cultural Institute in Pendleton, Oregon. Nestled in the heart of rural communities, this event was more than just a meeting—it was a heartfelt gathering aimed at nurturing trust and forging partnerships essential for rural communities to thrive.

Our nation's lands are vital to providing clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, sustainable wood, minerals, energy, jobs and places for Americans to enjoy the outdoors. USDA’s Forest Service is responsible for managing 193 million acres of grasslands and forests. For rural America to thrive, we recognize we must partner with land managers and landowners.

What kid doesn’t enjoy eating their favorite dish in the school cafeteria? As a kid, I was always excited when broccoli cheese soup was on my school lunch menu! But, what if the foods that kids eat at home and in their community aren’t served in school? This is a challenge that some children face across the country, especially in schools serving students from the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians.

Since 2017, FEED 7 Generations has worked to improve the health and wellness of Native people in the Pacific Northwest.

Agriculture is a key component of Native peoples’ culture and heritage. Today more and more tribal nations are looking to establish and expand access to global markets. For example, Minnesota’s Red Lake, Inc. – wholly owned by the Red Lake Nation – has begun to join USDA’s agribusiness trade missions (ATM), seeking to establish new partnerships around the world.

Summer is a beautiful time to travel the country and visit with partners, and I am delighted, humbled and honored to have visited the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe last month. It was inspiring and impressive to see how the tribes are dreaming big in terms of food sovereignty - delivering healthy, fresh, locally sourced, and traditional foods to their members in their communities through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.