FERTILE GROUND II Growing the Seeds of Native American Health FINAL REPORT
FERTILE GROUND II Growing the Seeds of Native American Health FINAL REPORT
Commissioned by
Prepared by Made possible through the generous support of
C ONSULTING TABLE OF CONTENTS
OPENING MESSAGE FROM CONVENING PARTNERS...... 8
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 10
BACKGROUND OF FERTILE GROUND II...... 14
SHARING OUR STORIES OF NATIVE-LED CHANGE...... 18
PLENARIES...... 22
OVERVIEW: FERTILE GROUND II ADVOCACY AND POLICY WORK GROUPS...... 30
WORK GROUP 1: INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE AND TRADITIONAL FOODS...... 32
WORK GROUP 2: ADDRESSING POVERTY AND EMPOWERING TRIBAL ECONOMIES TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES...... 34
WORK GROUP 3: INCREASING ACCESS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACTIVE COMMUNITY...... 36
WORK GROUP 4: EMPOWERING YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ACTION...... 38
5 WORK GROUP 5: UTILIZING CULTURE AS PREVENTION AND A PATHWAY TOWARD HOLISTIC COMMUNITY HEALTH...... 40
WORK GROUP 6: EMPOWERING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS IN EARLY CHILD CARE...... 42
WORK GROUP 7: EMPOWERING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS IN SCHOOLS...... 44
SUMMARY: INDIAN COUNTRY ADVOCACY AND POLICY WORK GROUPS...... 46
A MESSAGE FROM THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION...... 50
GROWING THE MOVEMENT: A SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLOSION CALLING FOR NATIVE DIET, FOOD AND HEALTH CHANGE...... 52
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS...... 54
FERTILE GROUND II PLANNING COMMITTEE...... 56
APPENDIX...... 58
FEEDING OURSELVES SUMMARY...... 59
FERTILE GROUND I: PLANTING THE SEEDS OF NATIVE HEALTH FUNDERS’ ROUNDTABLE SUMMARY...... 60
ATTENDEE LIST...... 62
6 OPENING MESSAGE FROM CONVENING PARTNERS
In the summer of 2015, the American Heart The interest among participants of that first gathering Association (AHA) and the Shakopee Mdewakanton was so great that we immediately began planning a Sioux Community (SMSC) began a partnership second conference. “Fertile Ground II: Growing the focused on improving the health of Indigenous Seeds for Native American Health,” held in May 2016, Americans. The SMSC had recently launched its Seeds focused on advocacy and policy change to improve of Native Health campaign to improve Native nutrition health and nutrition within Native communities. We and the AHA had commissioned Feeding Ourselves, a are grateful to the nearly 200 Native leaders, Native groundbreaking report on food access and health youth advocates, public health experts, members of the disparities within Native communities. We joined philanthropic community, and others who gathered
together in pursuit of the common goal to develop together to share ideas, case studies, and strategies. new ways to advance and expand grassroots nutritional health efforts already underway in Indian Country. Throughout the conference, we were energized by the wonderful examples of on-the-ground work being Our partnership led to our co-organizing “Fertile implemented by tribal leaders and community Ground: Planting the Seeds for Native American activists. We were especially inspired by the Native Nutrition and Health” in Minneapolis on October 15, youth leaders who shared their innovative visions for a 2015. This funders’ roundtable was the first-ever healthier future. national gathering of philanthropic organizations held to specifically discuss the needs and investment This report summarizes the key discussions and opportunities in Native dietary health, food access, and learnings at Fertile Ground II. We hope it serves as a food systems. valuable reference in future conversations and as a
8 roadmap for new partnerships and investments. We We were pleased to announce during Fertile Ground II sincerely thank the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for its the creation of a Policy Innovation Fund, which will generous funding which has made this report possible. provide the resources for Native-led policy change efforts in the areas of advocacy, implementation and Powerful, strategic and practical dialogue over evaluation. We are in the planning stages to create a three days resulted in major ideas and actionable coalition to fund this initiative, and we welcome your strategies being identified and developed. Participants ideas and financial support to help move this exchanged ideas in the areas of: important effort forward.
• Addressing poverty and empowering tribal Effective advocacy requires collaboration, and we urge economies to improve health outcomes you to challenge yourself and your organization to do • Increasing access to healthy, affordable and more to support Native-led policy change in whatever traditional foods ways are possible. Truly, a grave food and health crisis • Increasing access to physical activity and active exists across Indian Country. Without dramatic and community places sustained investments in changing the underlying • Empowering healthy environments in early causes of health disparities, the future well-being of child care Native peoples and tribal nations is in jeopardy. • Empowering healthy environments in schools • Utilizing culture as prevention and a pathway Thank you for heeding this call and agreeing to be a towards holistic community health part of this journey. We are eager to raise up the voices • Empowering youth leadership and action and priorities of Indian Country, and we look forward to your continued interest and engagement as we work together to improve Native Americans’ health.
Sincerely,
Charles R. Vig Nancy Brown Chairman Chief Executive Officer Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community American Heart Association
9 If you want to destroy a people, you take away the power of their food. If you want to build a people back up, you build them up through their food.
-- Janie Simms Hipp Director, University of Arkansas School of Law’s Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This profound insight succinctly states the impetus and youth. Most important, there is a lack of focus for the “Fertile Ground II: Growing the Seeds for and understanding of the critical central role of Native Native American Health” convening. The health of cultures and empowered, community-based control to individuals, families and communities all starts and achieving success. ends with food. Over two and a half days, Native American leaders,
In May 2016, the “Fertile Ground II: Growing the Seeds Native youth advocates, and national philanthropic for Native American Health” convening provided a organizations came together through facilitated unique opportunity for all who are concerned about plenary panel discussions, a showcase of successful Native children and families’ health to work together community programs, and seven small work groups. towards solutions. The work groups developed 35 Bold Ideas for Action, 21 Capacity Building Resources Needed, and 7 Next Steps, The Native American epidemic of preventable, diet- each of which offers a possible point of intervention related diseases is directly attributable to poverty; a for advancing this movement to improve the health of lack of access to and control of resources; a dearth of Native peoples. fresh, healthy foods; inadequate nutrition education; mostly non-existent infrastructure for physical This report, which was supported by the W.K. Kellogg activity; and a lack of programs for infants, children Foundation, presents a strategic framework for diverse
10 engagement and investment that can build on new and • Support for the implementation and evaluation existing proven models, develop community and tribal of the effectiveness of tribal and federal government capacity to instigate tribal and federal policies that work. Building this evidence base policy changes, and begin to address the root causes of is critical to educating funders, tribal leaders the state of Native American health. and policymakers about the types of Native- led change and policies that are going to truly This Fertile Ground II report is meant to serve as a impact the health of Native children and guidebook to identify – in the words of the Native communities. community members themselves – “helpful strategies • Inclusion of and support for the leadership in the process of creating a new reality for Native food, development and involvement of Native youth diets and health.” who are critical as we work toward a new future. • Expanded partnerships beyond the “usual Native advocates, tribal leaders, nonprofits, non-Native suspects” – reaching out to funders, friends allies, and funders may use this report to determine and allies new to this movement, to help them points of common ground and partnership. Our develop an understanding of the cultural and hope is to raise awareness and to inspire action and historical context for the current environment interaction. in Indian Country and what they can do to help.
Fertile Ground II participants came together to dream This report is structured to: big. Key resounding themes include: • Provide the background of Fertile Ground II • Change led by Native communities, based in as one of many recent developments that has their realities and steeped in Native cultures. propelled the movement forward and into the • Increased capacity of tribal advocates and the mainstream. on-the-ground movers and shakers in tribal • Share the stories of Native-led, community- communities. based change. • Better understanding and more flexibility on • Present the voices of plenary participants. the part of philanthropy and funders to work • Explore recommendations from seven small
in partnership with Native communities – work groups for Native-led advocacy and policy investment, not charity. changes. • Support for tribal sovereignty and tribal policy • Provide insight from the Robert Wood Johnson change affecting the ability of tribes to improve Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropy the health of their citizens. dedicated solely to health. • Investment in community-based programs and • Summarize the expanded impact of Fertile models that are making a difference. Ground II through social media. • Creative ways to widely share information with • Propel the movement forward, particularly with tribal leaders, Native communities, federal the launch of the Policy Innovation Fund. agencies and funders about progressive models, tribal policies and legislative priorities and Throughout, we have shared quotes from conference opportunities. attendees so that they may speak for themselves.
11 Participating Native youth in particular offered their If there is one thing we have learned during Fertile unique perspective as well as their vision of a future in Ground II, it is that there is an increasing momentum which they and their children enjoy good health and and desire to ensure that the seeds planted here celebrate their culture in hopeful communities. The receive the water, sunlight, and care they deserve. This young people inspired everyone present with their is an exciting time for Indian Country and our friends positive energy and forthright sharing of ideas. and allies.
We invite all, Native and non-Native, to journey with us as we explore how best to impact the health and well-being of Native communities.
12 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
SIGNATURE SPONSOR MAPPING THE PATH FORWARD SPONSOR
RAISING YOUNG VOICES SPONSOR CONFERENCE BAG SPONSOR
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13 BACKGROUND OF FERTILE GROUND II
Fertile Ground II represented an important move health, diminished life expectancy, crippled economy, forward in addressing the food, diet, and health- inadequate access to healthy foods, and minimized related issues plaguing Native American communities control over their land and other critical assets? that have resulted in dismal health statistics for Native individuals at all ages. Building on the preceding The answers are complex. The most profound reason event in fall 2015, focused specifically on funder is due to the colonization and forced removal of engagement, Fertile Ground II focused substantively Native peoples from their lands and more than 200 on many years’ of critical work by Native activists at years of U.S. government policies and practices that the local, tribal, regional and national levels who called deliberately worked to destroy traditional Native for developing models of Native-led programming; cultural and spiritual lifeways and erode the sovereign policy and systemic change at the tribal and federal rights of American Indian tribes. These policies have levels; and innovative partnerships. directly contributed to tremendous socioeconomic and health disparities. They also help explain why Fertile Ground II presented a powerful platform Natives, despite their land base and agricultural
and safe space to gather diverse players – Native traditions, still struggle today to feed their people community stakeholders, Native and non-Native and create thriving food systems and healthier philanthropic representatives, public health experts, communities. While much work has been done by federal agencies, researchers, and academics – to come Native leaders and activists since the 1960s to address together to begin solving one of the greatest challenges those injustices, strengthen tribal sovereignty, and and contradictions of our time: revitalize Native cultures, food systems, and health, true success will likely take significant resources and Why has a people with an extraordinarily large a long-term, multi-generational commitment from land base, cultural tradition that values community tribes and their partners. engagement and personal health, heritage of self- sufficiency, and history of effective self-governance The solutions will require innovative partnerships, come to find themselves with inarguably the poorest resources, creativity, systemic policy change, issue
14 prioritization, community engagement, and youth its Voices for Healthy Kids® initiative, a collaboration leadership. between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and AHA (VoicesForHealthyKids.org). The Fertile Ground I and II convenings were the result of the partnership between the American Heart Looking first at the historical context of colonization, Association (AHA) and the Shakopee Mdewakanton the treatment of Native Americans as sovereign tribal Sioux Community (SMSC) to accelerate the nations, and the evolution of federal Indian policy, development of a national framework to improve Feeding Ourselves framed the work ahead to engage Native American nutrition and health. and assist Native communities in moving beyond this condition. The report showcased the innovative, As convening partners, the AHA and SMSC are Native-led efforts in motion on the ground at the committed to creating a broad-based coalition of community level, as well as at the tribal and federal funders and stakeholders which will address Native policy levels. American food access and nutritional health problems. Along with a parallel context of the evolution of Native SMSC formalized its food systems work in March American food systems and their resulting impact 2015 with the launch of Seeds of Native Health on the diet and health of Native Americans today, (SeedsOfNativeHealth.org), a national philanthropic Feeding Ourselves mapped the landscape of needed campaign to improve Native American nutrition. policy changes at the tribal and federal levels, and Through this campaign, the tribe has brought together encouraged philanthropy to recognize the opportunity top health, education and research experts, as well as to make a significant impact on Native communities philanthropists, in an effort to develop permanent in partnership with those communities. Please see solutions to address Native dietary health. the appendix for a summary of Feeding Ourselves’ recommendations. Complementing Seeds of Native Health was the July 2015 publication of Feeding Ourselves: Food Access, Feeding Ourselves has proven to be a seminal Health Disparities, and the Pathways to Healthy document. It gave impetus to the SMSC and AHA Native American Communities. This groundbreaking organizing the “Fertile Ground I: Planting the Seeds report issued a call to action to begin to understand for Native American Nutrition and Health” convening the complex historical and contemporary challenges in Minneapolis in October 2015. Fertile Ground I’s to Native American healthy food access, childhood most important outcome was a mandate to deal with obesity and health disparities, as well as the the policy problems and needs of Indian Country. comprehensive policy and systems change that will be (Please see the appendix for a summary of Fertile required at the tribal, state, regional and federal levels Ground I.) to shift the paradigm to resource Native-led change. Feeding Ourselves* was commissioned by AHA and
* Authors: Crystal Echo Hawk, Echo Hawk Consulting, Janie Simms Hipp, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and Wilson Pipestem, Pipestem
Law; Feeding Ourselves: Food Access, Health Disparities, and the Pathways to Healthy Native American Communities, American Heart Association, July
2015 (http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/documents/downloadable/ucm_475566.pdf)
15 It became clear that another convening was needed to This present report highlights the voices, perspectives gather advocates, policymakers and funders to explore and recommendations from a diverse group of policy solutions and develop a common social and Native American activists, nonprofit organization cultural framework for addressing the dietary and professionals, practitioners, public health experts, well-being needs of Native peoples. As a result, the policy analysts, philanthropists, and Native youth AHA and SMSC organized Fertile Ground II on May who share their wisdom and vision for the future of a 2-4, 2016, to exchange ideas and examine what policy healthy Native America. change should look like in Native communities; how to support Native-led efforts with technical assistance, training, and other resources; and what best practices exist for addressing challenges and barriers.
16 “Much of our work is focused on how disparities affect the prevalence of heart disease, which impacts Native Americans at a disproportionately high rate. The good news is that together, we can find ways to improve health through partnership and collaboration. Our partnership with the SMSC on the Fertile Ground convenings are an important part of that process.”
--Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer for Prevention and Chief of the Center for Health Metrics and Evaluation for the American Heart Association
“We are excited to have you all here as we plan new ways to improve nutrition and change health trends across Indian Country. We are eager to continue the conversation and to talk about the problems, but also the solutions – including policy changes in our communities. The future well-being of Native people and tribal nations is at stake. ”
--Chairman Charles R. Vig, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
17 SHARING OUR STORIES OF NATIVE-LED CHANGE
On the second day of Fertile Ground II, five representatives of Native organizations and communities shared inspiring stories of their systemic work to transform Native health. In this visual journey, they took participants through their “PechaKucha” VINCENT ROMERO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, presentations (showing 20 images for 20 seconds each) AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER OF CHICAGO that illustrated powerful examples of the diversity and (CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) innovation in Indian Country. • The American Indian Center of Chicago The presenters shared how they are working (AIC) has a dedicated wellness program toward advocacy and policy change unique to their that focuses on the physical, mental, communities. Just as each Native community’s history, emotional and spiritual well-being of traditions, assets and circumstances are different, community members. The holistic the strategies of each of organization featured approach to health considers the varied. However, they each strive to improve the environment and includes programs health outcomes of Native children, families and such as the Medicinal Garden, Senior communities. Lunches, and Social Services (offering
food and clothing). Last year, the garden The voices of these grassroots change-makers are produced sage, sweet grass and tobacco, too rarely heard by mainstream America, but their which were used in ceremonies at AIC. programs are evidence of how one organization or AIC works with local Native children and person can transform a community through culture, schools through gardening projects to healthy foods, tribal laws, and access to credit, resulting promote access to healthy foods. in Native children and families finding a path toward improved health.
Among the many vibrant initiatives flourishing in Native communities, these models showcased some of the programs that are making a difference.
18 EILEEN O’KEEFE AND DORY STANDS, DAKOTA MEMARIE TSOSIE, FOOD ACCESS MANAGER, WICOHAN (MORTON, MINNESOTA) PARTNERS IN HEALTH, COPE (NAVAJO NATION, NEW MEXICO) • Dakota Wicohan works to revitalize the Minnesota Dakota language. Its mission is • Community Outreach and Patient “to revitalize Dakota as a living language, and Empowerment (COPE) partners with the Navajo through it, transmit Dakota lifeways to future Nation Community Health Representative generations.” Programs and activities include Outreach Program to improve the lives of work with horses, traditional arts, and language those living with chronic diseases in Navajo as a way to use culture as a prevention strategy communities. Improving health via access to for at-risk Dakota youth and families. Dakota nutritious food is a critical priority for COPE. Wicohan has also trained more than 600 Native With Harvard University Law School and other and non-Native educators, professionals and experts, COPE created “Good Laws, Good Food: youth in Dakota culture, history and lifeways as Putting Food Policy to Work in the Navajo a strategy to promote increased understanding Nation,” * a toolkit for other communities. In and improved relations with non-Native partnership with Indian Health Service, country institutions and the mainstream community. stores, and grocery stores, COPE also operates the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program,
which enables doctors to “prescribe” fruits and vegetables to overweight families by giving them certificates for free produce.
* http://www.chlpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ Navajo-Food-Policy-Toolkit-May-2015.pdf
19 LAHOMA SIMMONS, THE MVSKOKE LOAN FUND MARIAH GLADSTONE, NATIVE YOUTH LEADER AND (OKMULGEE, OKLAHOMA) FERTILE GROUND YOUTH LEADERSHIP FELLOW (BLACKFEET, MONTANA) • The Muscogee Creek Nation created the Mvskoke Loan Fund (MLF) with the mission • Like many Native communities, the Blackfeet to create a sustainable Native Community Reservation faces high suicide rates, depression, Development Financial Institution for Muscogee drug abuse, diabetes, nutritional problems, and Creek Nation tribal members throughout the loss of culture. In communities plagued by these State of Oklahoma. The mission of MLF is to issues, traditional knowledge becomes one of foster the entrepreneurial growth and financial the Blackfeet Nation’s greatest weapons in its well-being its citizens in two ways: (1) Providing fight for wellness and survival. Mariah’s goal is comprehensive, culturally appropriate financial to find ways to address these issues, specifically
education/asset building, business development through fitness and nutrition. She has worked in training services, and access to capital: and (2) her tribal community as well as the Indigenous Serving as a permanent, sustainable community community at Columbia University to improve development finance resource promoting job knowledge of traditional foods. and entrepreneurial growth. MLF works with local producers to get goods to market. In light of the looming FDA regulations under the Food Safety and Modernization Act, MLF is working with producers, tribal agriculture businesses, and others to develop its own comprehensive tribal food code.
20 21 “The environment is what shapes and forms our culture, so if we can start taking better control and empowering ourselves with our own wellness by eating our [Native] foods, by being active on the land – all of those things – reciprocity happens.”
--Valerie Segrest, Project Coordinator, Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Porject PLENARIES
“SETTING THE TABLE” FOR TRANSFORMATION OF THE HEALTH OF INDIAN COUNTRY THROUGH ADVOCACY, POLICY AND SYSTEMS CHANGE
A series of three plenary sessions throughout the This work is very personal for many of the panelists convening sought the ideas and perspectives from and attendees, affecting their families, communities the best and brightest in Indian Country, as well as and themselves. As Denisa Livingston from the Diné allied and influential thought leaders. The broad Community Advocacy Alliance noted, range of expertise represented by plenary participants was unparalleled. The convening was a singular “It is the first time in history people are dying opportunity to hear from these visionaries on what from diabesity – diabetes and obesity – and innovative community change looks like; the breadth not starvation. Every Navajo family has been of supportive policy change; and what barriers exist, affected. One of three of us is diabetic. This is particularly at the federal level, for improving health our reality.” outcomes and accessing resources. Opening plenary Facilitated discussions allowed tribal leaders, health care professionals, philanthropists, academics, “FRAMING INTERSECTIONS, CHALLENGES AND activists, and policy experts to shed light on: OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATIVE-LED POLICY AND SYSTEMS CHANGE” • The landscape of federal policies and their effect on Native communities and families. The opening plenary focused on how public • Innovative grassroots models that are positive health policy and systems have contributed to the proof of Native communities’ ability to begin extraordinarily high rates of chronic diseases in to heal themselves and to showcase what is Indian Country – which are literally jeopardizing possible. the future health and well-being of Native peoples • Policy and resource barriers to greater success. and tribal nations. This plenary sought to answer one fundamental question: How can Native-led advocacy and policy change related to food access, physical
22 activity, the role of Native cultures, and schools, serve “We have to change the way we look at culture as access points for improved health? and tradition. Culture is how we did things: harmonious, sustainable and thoughtful. That The panel included: is a guide for the system change and paradigm shift we need in Indian Country today.” • Fawn Sharp, President, Quinault Indian Nation and 1st Vice President, National Congress of “We have tried every other thing in Indian American Indians Country to address the health crisis we face • Zach Ducheneaux, Board Member, Northwest except fixing our food system to address the Area Foundation and Staff Member, Intertribal societal ills that befall Indian communities. Agriculture Council The solution is so simple; we have to rebuild • Kris Rhodes, Executive Director, American our food systems.” Indian Cancer Foundation • Valerie Segrest, Project Coordinator, “There is a lot of hopelessness within Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project Indian Health Services due to the historic underfunding. We need a Tribal Bill of Health The panelists’ experience and wisdom called for Care Rights.” cross-pollination of issues related to health, food systems, and systems change, as the broad spectrum --Zach Ducheneaux, of health issues encountered by Native Americans are Board Member, Northwest Area Foundation and Staff symptoms of deeper problems. Uniting constituencies Member, Intertribal Agriculture Council and enforcing guaranteed tribal rights can only benefit Native communities as we begin to pull back from the brink of our health crisis. In their own words: The American Indian Cancer Foundation was formed five years ago because our communities “Having access in Indian Country to health were not experiencing the same success of care all comes back to funding. We are funded declining cancer rates in the last 10 years as at 60% of what is needed to deliver quality other populations. Native people are one of the
health care to our tribal citizens. Our treaty only populations whose cancer rates continue rights include quality health care forever.” to climb.”
“Tribes need a comprehensive set of laws to “We need a framework to bring the community guide the provision of quality health care. together to take control of our lives because our There are no comprehensive laws on Indian poor health is a symptom of deeper problems Health Services regulation, and accreditation in our communities. We need community to govern standards of care.” involvement in developing health policy. We need our tribal councils to be engaged. We --Fawn Sharp need our Elders and youth to be engaged.” President, Quinault Indian Nation and 1st Vice President, National Congress of American Indians
23 “We need a Native-led approach and framework to keep us healthy. Our communities are fed up with us working in Second plenary silos. Those working on community gardens, health clinics, and cancer prevention are all “EXEMPLARY EXAMPLES OF HEALTH ADVOCACY working separately.” AND POLICY CHANGE IN INDIAN COUNTRY”
--Kris Rhodes, The second plenary featured five promising models Executive Director, American Indian Cancer of Native-led health advocacy and pioneering policy Foundation change in Indian Country and other arenas. Panelists and their models were: “The first and most environmentally sound legislation and health policy examples are DENISA LIVINGSTON, COMMUNITY HEALTH the treaties signed by tribes in the Northwest. ADVOCATE, DINÉ COMMUNITY ADVOCACY Culture is our medicine.” ALLIANCE (DCAA)
“Addiction, heart disease, diabetes, suicide, DCAA is on the cutting edge nationally of creating and cancer are all symptoms of larger and supporting a new Navajo Nation policy to reduce problems.” taxes on healthy food sales and increase sales tax on “minimal-to-no nutritional value food items.” Effective “Historical trauma is a wound on the soul of April 1, 2015, this “unhealthy foods tax” is the first of Native communities. Involving our people in its kind in Indian Country and raised $300,000 during solutions is a part of the healing process.” the first quarter of implementation. The revenue will support community wellness programs in the 110 --Valerie Segrest, Navajo Chapters.
Project Coordinator, Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project NICK TILSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THUNDER VALLEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CDC) On April 1, 2015, the “Healthy Diné Nation Act of 2014” went into As a catalyst to create systemic change, Thunder effect, with 100% of the revenues Valley CDC is working to create systemic change and designated to fund Community end poverty on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Thunder Wellness Projects on the Navajo Valley does this through a multi-faceted approach that Nation. This taxation has been ultimately creates vibrant and healthy communities. a platform to address suffering, They are currently building a 34-acre community and disease, sickness, and unhealthy housing development in order to create, “an ecosystem lifestyles all related to food – a of opportunity through deliberate action and systemic tool to start a health revolution in solutions as large and comprehensive as the historic our communities. challenges facing our community.”
24 SIMONE SENOGLES, FOOD SOVEREIGNTY While these panelists each have unique approaches to PROGRAM COORDINATOR, INDIGENOUS addressing Native community food systems and health ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK (IEN) issues, they are united by their drive to transform the health of Native children, communities and tribal IEN’s environmental justice-focused mission includes nations. In their own words: powerful work related to food sovereignty. IEN has created a local learning garden for young Indigenous “If we want to get our food right, get food families, started a commercial kitchen, facilitated sustainability right. Tribal governments have farm-to-school programs, supported local food been hijacked by processed food. We live in a entrepreneurs, and provided space for nutrition 99% food desert. We want to move from a food education. desert to a food oasis.”
JANIE SIMMS HIPP, DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF “Health is political. If we are not ARKANSAS SCHOOL OF LAW’S INDIGENOUS FOOD uncomfortable, we are not making change.” AND AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE (IFAI) --Denisa Livingston, IFAI’s Model Food and Agriculture Code Project, has Community Health Advocate, Diné Community just completed its first of three phases to establish a model legal framework that tribal governments may adopt to regulate and support food and agricultural systems. Code sections may include provisions for food safety, land use, water, sustainability principles, organic production, protection of seeds and traditional We are about nation and foods among other subjects. The project is now health building, which is conducting a series of roundtable discussions to about exercising our inherent determine the most pressing needs in Indian Country. sovereignty over our food.
VALORY WANGLER M.D., CO-DIRECTOR, ZUNI YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROJECT (ZYEP) –- Janie Simms Hipp, Director, University of Arkansas School of Law’s Through seven community gardens, Zuni youth Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative are connected with Zuni traditions, learn about healthy eating and nature, and have fun. Through a partnership with the Zuni Public School District and others, ZYEP has integrated Zuni gardening and nutrition into the public elementary school science Advocacy Alliance curriculum.
25 “History shows that too often philanthropy is challenged because they have taken power out of the hands of the community and therefore “We do our best with personal decisions and the spirit. We have to build power among choices…. Our work is at the intersection of our our people. Too often outside entities come up personal choice, power and responsibility, and with ‘solutions’ that have only perpetuated the systemic and infrastructure change.” problems.” “It took 500 years to get to the place we are in “The biggest assets we have are the Native now; it will take more than one grant cycle to communities themselves. They should be the solve the problems.” architects of change in our communities. Our people have been there from the beginning. We, --Simone Senogles in the communities, also have to admit what Food Sovereignty Program Coordinator, Indigenous we don’t know to open spaces for new kinds Environmental Network of partnerships between the communities, philanthropy, and the federal government.” “So much to do together that we cannot do alone.” “I believe 100% that we can end poverty in one generation with new kinds of partnerships “Policy has a role in this web, a foundational that power community-led development.” role we cannot ignore.”
“Let’s dream big for what we want for our --Janie Simms Hipp future. If you can end poverty in the poorest Director, University of Arkansas School of Law’s places in the U.S., and set high standards Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative for development with community-led and
developed, we can help create models useful for “Healthy kids require healthy families living around the world.” in healthy communities.”
--Nick Tilsen, “People are living in communities without Executive Director, Thunder Valley Community a lot of resources. Collaboration is the key to Development Corporation a healthier community. It takes community groups coming together to make meaningful change possible.”
--Valory Wangler M.D., Co-Director, Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
26 Closing plenary “As an African-American woman representing a Jewish organization working in Indian “WORKING TOWARD THE CREATION OF A Country, I call up our common history of STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR INDIAN COUNTRY genocide, persecution and discrimination HEALTH ADVOCACY AND POLICY PRIORITIES, as a starting place for shared analysis and ACTION PLANS, AND RESOURCE NEEDS” perspective. But I do so knowing that non- Natives cannot direct the struggle for Native The closing plenary featured a discussion about the food security, no matter how well-meaning goals of coordinated strategic action and collaboration; we are. I am reminded that being an effective the opportunities and challenges such action faces; ally for Native communities means looking and the resources needed in Indian Country for for effective ways to support and stand with more effective Native-led advocacy for healthy Native Native communities.” communities. “Youth have the ability to change the The panelists were: narrative in Indian Country.”w
• Jodi Gillette, Policy Advisor and Government --Mia Hubbard, Relations, Sonosky, Chambers, Enderson & Vice President of Programs, MAZON: A Jewish Perry LLP and former advisor to President Response to Hunger Obama on Native American Affairs • Judith LeBlanc, National Director, Native “Self-governance [of food programs] by tribes Organizers Alliance is the wave of the future.” • Donald Warne, Chair, Department of Public Health, North Dakota State University --Jefferson Keel, • Mia Hubbard, Vice President of Programs, Lieutenant Governor, Chickasaw Nation MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
• Jefferson Keel, Lieutenant Governor, Chickasaw “It is time to organize our power. We need the Nation right combination of skillful leadership and moccasins on the ground and community that is engaged and empowered to create change.”
“The power we have is in acting together.”
--Judith LeBlanc, National Director, Native Organizers Alliance
27 • Ensuring that we prioritize investment in data collection, as well as supporting tribes and “Data is important. Data-driven stories are Native communities’ efforts to use that data in what move people.” their advocacy and policy change efforts. • Empowering tribes to take over the --Jodi Gillette management and strategic direction of federal Policy Advisor and Government Relations, feeding programs and other programs that Sonosky, Chambers, Enderson & Perry LLP impact the health of Native peoples. and former advisor to President Obama on Native • Recognizing and investing in Native American Affairs communities, so they can build capacity for leadership in policy change and advocacy, “Food is a powerful lever of change.” develop community-based solutions, and impact state and federal policy changes to “The health crisis in Indian Country is a reinforce and support Native policy priorities. humanitarian crisis.” • Empowering and including the voices of Native leadership in the formulation of policies at the --Donald Warne, powerful intersection of food, food production, Chair, Department of Public Health, North Dakota economic development, and health policy that State University impacts the well-being of Native peoples. • Recognizing the public health crisis facing “We must reclaim food in order to dramatically Native Americans as an urgent priority by all change the health and well-being of our stakeholders and policymakers in public health. community.” • Investing in building bridges, peer-learning and sharing, network-building, and consensus --Wilson Pipestem, within Indian Country. Moderator and Founder of Pipestem Law • Ensuring that tribes and Native health and food advocates are at the table in the formulation The closing plenary offered invaluable insights into and implementation of federal policy-change
the opportunities and critical priorities for developing priorities to support and reinforce community- effective and coordinated Native-led advocacy and driven solutions at the local, state and national policy change. In exploring the barriers to building levels. the capacity of tribal and Native-led nonprofit • Seating Native youth at the table in advocacy organizations to shift policies, the panel identified and policy change efforts and decision-making. fundamental building blocks of successful advocacy in Indian Country, including:
28 29 OVERVIEW: FERTILE GROUND II ADVOCACY AND POLICY WORK GROUPS
The overarching goals of these facilitated work groups • Increasing access to physical activity and active were to: raise awareness; generate dialogue; and build community places consensus among stakeholders. Our aim was to create an • Empowering youth leadership and action effective space to discuss “big picture” concerns and create • Utilizing culture as prevention and a pathway toward a common social and cultural framework for addressing holistic community health the needs of Native communities. • Empowering healthy environments in early child care The desired outcome was the development of a draft • Empowering healthy environments in schools strategic action framework that maps key policy priorities, actions, and resource needs for each work group. Implicit The seven work group issue areas were purposefully broad in these discussions was how to ensure that a racial/ in scope and small in size to maximize participation. health equity approach is integrated and to identify where The facilitators used a variety of methods to generate opportunities and challenges exist for bridging with similar conversation, including large group brainstorming, small issues outside of Indian Country group discussions, and one-on-ones. The time between work group sessions allowed for reflection and continued The work groups focused on the learning from the plenary panel sessions. following issue areas: The work group journey began in the initial Fertile Ground • Increasing access to healthy, affordable and II plenary session with a traditional water blessing to call on traditional foods all to walk in humility and healing given the complicated • Addressing poverty and empowering tribal histories of the constituencies convened. economies to improve health outcomes
30 The work groups’ first session set the vision for the transformational policy shifts in each of the seven issue “We must areas which could be accomplished in the next five years. Each work group captured these goals by creating an ideal reclaim food newspaper front page published on May 5, 2021. in order to The next step was mapping the strengths, opportunities, problems and challenges in the field, in policy and in the dramatically overall conditions of life. The groups discussed in detail the complex maze through which Indian health and well-being change is served, managed and resourced. the health The work groups’ final session brought the participants back to the reality that there is a role for everyone – tribal and well- leaders, philanthropy, policy advocates, service providers, and community organizers – in bringing about safe, being of our healthy, productive and thriving Native communities. community.” The groups were tasked with drafting five Bold Ideas for Action, three Capacity Building Resources Needed, and --Wilson Pipestem, one Next Step. To create an atmosphere of debate and stir Moderator and Founder of Pipestem Law up creativity, large flip charts or Post-It notes were placed on tables for participants to work in small groups to share their ideas. The results were posted on the walls as the full group reconvened.
31 WORK GROUP 1: INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE AND TRADITIONAL FOODS
Facilitator: Shelley Means, (Ojibwe/Lakota), Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality Note taker: Missty Lechner, American Heart Association
Summary of discussion and bold maze of Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations around ideas leasing tribal lands; to drought and instability resulting from climate change; to degraded environmental The production and consumption of healthy conditions (such as erosion and pollution); to state and food offers multiple intervention points that can federal food policies that do not support tribal realities support local Native economies; Native sovereignty, and tribal control. self-governance, and control of tribal lands; the perpetuation of Native cultures; and community Fortunately, Native-specific models already exist that development, in addition to the obvious implications include elements which could be adapted or replicated for Native diet-related health issues. by other tribes and Native nonprofit organizations.
Challenges to food production in Native communities In addition, some federal food and nutrition programs abound. They range from the nearly impenetrable may be managed by tribal communities themselves.
32 The programs could be tailored to purchase local Building a movement around food sovereignty and foods and foods specific to that tribe’s culture. health will require intentional exploration of these terms. To some, “land” encompasses water and the Bold ideas natural resources it contains, while to others it doesn’t. “Traditional” could mean ancestral, or it could mean 1. Convert federal money for food programs to a vision of sustainably produced food that is shared tribally designed and self-governed programs. within community. “Affordable” could mean “on a 2. Encourage tribal leaders and communities budget” or sustainably produced. The Indigenous- to write their own food code and policies. centered definition of “healthy” could be different 3. Empower tribes to take control from the western medical definition. One participant of their own land. said, “Even ‘economic development’ needs to be 4. Increase food as medicine in our defined as something for the common good and not tribal health care systems. capitalistic.” 5. Engage community to shift demand for and consumption of healthy foods. Another compelling theme of the conversation 6. Reclaim our Native identity through our food. surrounded shared resources. Seed banks and intertribal teaching and sharing could be helpful to Capacity building needs tribes that no longer have the knowledge or genetic material to return to ancestral foods. This turned into 1. Increase access to funding and capital. a very vibrant conversation about small tribes, tribes 2. Develop and identify a communication with and without resources, and how history has pipeline for sharing successes and resources. impacted our food access. 3. Enhance infrastructure to support food production sustainability.
Recommended next step
Share the Fertile Ground II report with our communities, colleagues and allies; and collaborate in actionable ways. Fertile Ground could provide the infrastructure for successful partnerships with other food justice and sovereignty initiatives.
Key considerations, strategies and Five Year Goal recommendations to work toward TRIBES PRODUCE OUR OWN FOOD FOR OUR While effecting policy change was the most prominent PEOPLE, ON OUR OWN TERMS. theme, the discussion continually circled back to Indigenous concepts of health, tradition, sustainability, the common good, affordable, sovereignty, spirit, and culture.
33 WORK GROUP 2: ADDRESSING POVERTY AND EMPOWERING TRIBAL ECONOMIES TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES
Facilitator: Judith Le Blanc (Caddo), Director, Native Organizers Alliance Note taker: Jennifer Cole, American Heart Association
Summary of discussion and bold culture, Native communities will not be able to rise out ideas of poverty without an influx of capital.
Poverty is the single biggest indicator of the health The group agreed that tribal economies, aided by of any community. Existing assets in Indian Country the power of their sovereignty, have the ability to provide a foundation for a future of sustainable transform economic relations in Indian Country and economic development. The assets include: beyond. The discussion reviewed tribal governments’ potential strength and ability to create the conditions • Tribal communities – self-governance on an for healthier environments by protecting the existing existing land base. land base and traditional culture and pursuing a • Tribal governments and their sovereignty, holistic approach to a common, collective economy which provides a legal framework, although and the environment. often contested, for strong local economies. • Tribal colleges that focus on skills development. Bold Ideas • Tribal business for-profit reinvestment. • The possibility of power building through 1. More money, aggregated money, leveraged diversification of tribal economies. money, unrestricted money, public and private money in Indian Country. The most troubling obstacle to developing existing 2. Simplify federal and local food and assets is the lack of access to upfront capital. This agricultural procurement rules for makes it difficult to create enterprises that strengthen tribal and Native producers. tribal economies and invest in long-term economic 3. Boldly convene partnerships with private development to create socially useful, long-term jobs. corporate funders with the goal to build The work group also noted that although a large land sustainable economic development and base helps protect language, traditional foods, and policy change in Indian Country.
34 4. Generate economic development models that • What kinds of private-public partnerships are adhere to Indian cultures and traditions. needed? 5. Develop more higher education programs • Why aren’t more grants and investments focused on Native economic development. Indian-directed and unrestricted?
Capacity building needs One participant from a corporate philanthropy urged funders to support a convening of “a meeting of the 1. Develop online clearinghouse for minds and resources.” resource sharing, metrics, technical assistance, and funding opportunities. One of the policy experts advocated for a social media 2. Support tribal regulatory authority to campaign with Fertile Ground branding to increase create model tribal food policies and codes public awareness of the relationship between health and establish tribal inspection agencies, and poverty, and ideally facilitate alliances with non- leading to increased tribal food production, Native organizations. procurement and jobs creation. 3. Provide opportunities to educate advocates Recommended next step on federal law (e.g., up-to-the-moment information on congressional legislation 1. Funders need to build relationships and the impact on tribal programs). and develop structures to gain a deeper 4. Create a training institute for tribal understanding of the traditions and cultures leadership focused on entrepreneurship in Indian Country. They also need to and economic development basics as prioritize consultations with the “moccasins well as community engagement. on the ground” people who live with the problems of declining health and poverty Key considerations, strategies and before designing programs and funding. recommendations to work toward
The work group pinpointed the fact that collective wealth in Indian Country could only be built through targeted building of community assets. They agreed that until such an approach is taken, we will be doing nothing more than “just re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.”
Many unanswered questions surfaced in the discussion: Five Year Goal
• What role can nonprofits play in developing INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY ECONOMIC tribal economies, given the lack of access to DEVELOPMENT FOR THE GOOD OF OUR PEOPLE loans? AND OUR WHOLE COUNTRY.
35 WORK GROUP 3: INCREASING ACCESS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACTIVE COMMUNITY PLACES
Facilitator: Jennifer White, American Heart Association Note taker: Leah Gardner, American Heart Association
Summary of discussion and bold There are many opportunities to encourage multi- ideas generational, family focused involvement in exercise and wellness activities through school programs, the There are many challenges to getting Native peoples enthusiasm of children to get their families to try physically active. The lack of infrastructure (such as new experiences, traditional outdoor harvesting and fitness centers or other recreational spaces, biking hunting practices, and cultural sporting games. or walking paths, or even safe roads for walking due to inadequate lighting or stray dogs) has resulted in However the group identified the chronic, inequitable “fitness deserts” akin to food deserts. In addition, distribution of federal and state resources to tribal people may not be informed (or may be misinformed) entities as an existing barrier that could be addressed about the health benefits of physical activity, while by building relationships between governmental tribal councils may not make this issue a community bodies and tribes, solidified through Memoranda priority. of Understanding (MOUs) and Codes of Federal Regulations (CFRs).
36 Bold ideas Key considerations, strategies and recommendations to work toward 1. Develop a movement focused on the elimination of fitness deserts. Education about the importance of physical activity 2. Create bike lanes and sidewalks to good health was identified as a key element to on all reservation roads. success. The strong sense of “community” in Native 3. Connect activities that encourage cultures may be a good leverage point to create locally exercise and fitness into existing events focused gatherings centered on fitness that could (e.g., plan a family walk/run around also incorporate a focus on healthy foods. A series a community issue or holiday). of nationally coordinated, locally based events that 4. Inspire an urban Native business that are endorsed by high-profile Native athletes might refurbishes old bicycles and distributes help generate increased community awareness and them across Indian Country. participation. 5. Overhaul federal regulation of tribal matters (particularly around health) through tribal Native community groups (including nonprofit ownership of process, including MOUs organizations) may be more effective at tackling between tribes and federal agencies and CFRs. this issue than tribal councils. But regardless of who takes the lead, more coordination between tribes Capacity building needs and community leaders will be needed, as well as the identification of short-term and long-term goals and 1. Secure educational resources for increasing resources to fund the work in a sustainable manner. awareness of physical activities. 2. Create a national wellness app with physical activity ideas and instructions. 3. Empower a liaison to help tribes overcome barriers to state and federal resources.
Recommended next step
1. Convene a national task force to create and implement strategies with tribal communities that encourage physical activity and provide information about its benefits. Five Year Goal
EMPOWER MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO INCORPORATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES ROOTED IN CULTURE INTO DAILY LIVES.
37 WORK GROUP 4: EMPOWERING YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND ACTION
Facilitators: Amber Cardinal (Arikara/Hidatsa/Ojibwa) and Melanie Plucinski (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), American Indian Cancer Foundation Note taker: Carter Headrick, American Heart Association
Summary of discussion and bold ideas
The inclusion of young Native people at Fertile instead of needed collaboration. Ground II was one of the most exciting aspects of the entire convening. Their unique perspectives infused However, these young people identified promising the event with enthusiasm and hope. The way they put solutions to health inequities, including mentorship
forth their ideas without apprehension or hesitation programs, youth leadership development, media, based on fear of judgment was truly powerful. The intertribal leadership conferences, policy advocacy ground rules they set, “one person, one mic” and “have and lobbying for positive change, and inviting expert fun,” ensured that each person’s voice would be heard advisors to assist in building youth capacity. and respected and that conversations centering on heavy topics did not devolve into negativity. They were energetically optimistic about the potential for these opportunities to make a difference, but At times, the participants expressed anger over recognized the need to address the context of Native the current state of affairs in some communities, communities – lack of federal and state support for including failing infrastructure; poor communication; improvement initiatives; lack of access to funding; and misguided funding; weak tribal governments; limited access to land use and availability of natural pessimistic leaders; and competition between tribes resources.
38 Bold ideas Offering fry bread has become a tradition, particularly at powwows, and some food vendors depend 1. Utilize social media to spread economically on these sales. After much debate Indigenous messaging. and some input from visitors to the youth group, it 2. Incentivize Indigenous foods. was decided that allowing all vendors to participate 3. Seek allies and funders. in events, but incentivizing healthy vendors with 4. Advocate and lobby for Indian Country. discounted fees, was a better first step than only 5. Start sustainability programming allowing vendors of “healthy” foods. to achieve food sovereignty.
With the definition of Native “traditional” foods Capacity building needs evolving over time, the group to consider “traditional foods” in a pre-colonization category and a post- 1. Build specialized skill sets for youth, offering colonization category. training in such areas as policy advocacy. 2. Build the foundation that supports The group thought that a draft of a healthy eating youth, ensuring that families and the policy template to mandate only healthy foods and community support each other. beverages served at Native meetings and events would 3. Increase the number of funders have some benefit for Native groups to consider. investing in Native youth by raising awareness of youth needs and issues. The young people also had several other recommendations for moving forward. Recommended next step If a Fertile Ground III event is hosted, multiple 1. Host a youth advocate convening to establish a youth in each work group will bring a fresh, young, strategic plan to achieve our vision, resulting in bold perspective. Youth leaders could be invited to a business plan to take to our communities and facilitate breakout sessions. Youth input on event and use to influence local, state and national policy. agenda planning, as well as the process of developing summaries of work groups, could offer a vibrant and
creative spark.
The “Recommended Next Step” of a youth advocacy Key considerations, strategies and convening could be accomplished through youth recommendations to work toward attendance at a food-focused leadership conference to network, build skills, and seek expert mentorship. Two topics provoked strong conversation among the youth leadership group: 1) creating policy to incentivize or limit all foods at Native gatherings to Five Year Goal “healthy” foods; and 2) agreeing on the definition of Native “traditional” foods. INDIGENOUS DIABETES RATES DROP DUE TO GROUND-BREAKING INDIGENOUS DIET.
39 WORK GROUP 5: UTILIZING CULTURE AS PREVENTION AND A PATHWAY TOWARD HOLISTIC COMMUNITY HEALTH
Facilitators: Marcia Warren Edelman (Santa Clara Pueblo/Brazilian) Note taker: Francesca Martinez, American Heart Association
Summary of discussion and bold Bold ideas ideas 1. Teach Native history and culture in This group identified the revitalization of culture tribal and non-tribal schools. as a critical element in the pathway to health for 2. Foundations should apply an Indigenous Native peoples. Culture manifests in Native families reporting framework to measure the and institutions, and affects physical, mental and success of funded Native programs. spiritual health. The loss of cultural teachings 3. Offer traditional food programs and degrees that support healthy habits and consumption of at schools to create American Indian and healthy foods is compounded by historical trauma Alaska Native expertise and leadership. and the lack of access to culturally responsive and 4. Meaningfully include Native voices supportive resources. However, young Native people, in the decision-making process for information-sharing technology, and innovative funding community health. Indigenous models represent intervention points to 5. Change the way we diagnose and talk use Native culture as the fulcrum toward improved about health in Native communities. Native health. Our allies in this effort are private foundations and government funders, service providers, tribal Elders, and Native youth themselves. Shifting the consciousness of health care providers and systems to embrace Native cultures as a strength and empowering Native communities to lead the way will transform how health care resources are allocated and will support Native sovereignty over Native health.
40 Capacity building needs paradigms. In the end, the stakeholders identified more common ground than not. 1. Build a system to develop youth as change agents/culture of health leaders through Ultimately, the group agreed on the need to: funding streams and education systems. 2. Support intergenerational • Disseminate the information from the group’s traditional farming and gardening work to those participating so that they may apprenticeships and mentorships. continue sharing information and collaboration. 3. Build the capacity of philanthropy and • Provide another work session in future Fertile agencies to understand why and how to partner Ground conferences to focus on each of the with funders and support tribal communities. Bold Ideas and the Next Step.
Recommended next step
1. Develop a single advocacy agenda for all tribal advisory committees to push with their respective federal agencies in order to focus federal agencies on the most productive Five Year Goal investments in Native food and health models. UTILIZING CULTURE AS PREVENTION AND A PATHWAY TOWARD HEALTH. Key considerations, strategies and recommendations to work toward
This group’s spirited and wide-ranging discussions articulated a vision for systemic change, with Native cultures as the springboard. The group called for shifting present-day cultural norms and expectations around Native health, empowering Native service providers to enhance the roles of Elders and youth in creating community change, and increasing the understanding of funders so that Native grantees may report “success” in the context of reflecting tribal cultures.
The conversation around the latter topic provoked a positive discussion about challenges in creating opportunities to increase funding to Native programs and maintaining those partnerships, particularly in light of the need for creating culturally centered ways to measure success in terms of cultural values and
41 WORK GROUP 6: EMPOWERING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS IN EARLY CHILD CARE
Facilitators: Pamela Johns (Red Lake Ojibwe), Public relations specialist Note taker: Liz Waggoner, American Heart Association
Summary of discussion and bold That said, early childhood is a key point in a child’s ideas growth and development of healthy eating habits that can have a lifelong effect and influence. Parents and From the outset, this group recognized that early providers are obviously key to this process. child care in Native communities differs from those in mainstream America, in large part because of the lack Bold ideas of organized child care services and in many cases, because of difficulty in accessing the limited number 1. Empower communities through data collection of spots available and due to transportation and and sharing information with the community. geography issues. 2. Build the power of practitioners (including cooks and nutritionists) to While Head Start is a primary provider in many understand and use their authority. Native communities, the number of children this 3. Tie education to edibles. program is able to serve is finite. Regardless of what 4. Build on and support promising models. type of child care provider exists, a common theme 5. Sustain cultural continuity. among early childhood development providers is the lack of professional development opportunities for staff, inadequate and aging infrastructure, and transportation.
42 Capacity building needs
1. Train and support Native-led data collection. 2. Provide professional development opportunities for practitioners (such as cooks and nutritionists), community members, and stakeholders. 3. Fund organizational support and implementation.
Recommended next step
1. Create a digital repository of existing tools and toolkits created for and by Native communities. 2. Establish a network and plan for ongoing workgroups to build out further from Fertile Ground work. 3. Establish Voices for Healthy Kids cohort groups.
Key considerations, strategies and recommendations to work toward
Nutrition and healthy food access for very young Native children is an area that has not received formal study, so this work group identified the need for formalized data that would then be able to bring attention to this issue and leverage resources. Everyone can obtain a Ph.D. in making positive health decisions.”
Five Year Goal – -Early child care work group participant UTILIZING CULTURE AS PREVENTION AND A PATHWAY TOWARD HEALTH.
43 WORK GROUP 7: EMPOWERING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS IN SCHOOLS
Facilitators: Shash Yázhí Charley (Diné), Eagle Evolution Note taker: Sara Thatcher, Goff Public
Summary of discussion and bold point of measurement misses the opportunity to ideas support healthy lifestyles – through school gardens, gyms, kitchens, playgrounds, cooking classes, and Schools play a special role in Native communities – programs, and to connect students to their Native and have a troubled history. culture through curricula and intergenerational wisdom-sharing by Elders.
This work group acknowledged the historical trauma caused by the boarding school era, in which cultural Schools are a critical element in striving toward genocide and abuses of many types occurred. Today, a better quality of life on tribal lands. Connecting schools have the potential to be spaces in Native students at the elementary and secondary levels to communities where youth are supported holistically: higher education experiences can build confidence and academically, physically, spiritually and culturally. instill the awareness that they can and should graduate high school, achieve a higher degree, and strive toward We have a system that is focused on specific academic professional achievement. The Every Student Succeeds achievement rather the whole self of culture. Act represents an opportunity to change the education system to establish traditional knowledge of life skills For schools to only focus on academics as the sole and a healthy way of living. A healthy student body is a prerequisite for any level of success.
44 This working group identified the following five-year to present collective voices for greater impact. goals: 3. Develop culturally competent curricula that are easily accessible to • More Native teachers (up 15%). Native and non-Native schools. • White teachers, administrators and boards finally get it! Recommended next step • Tribal colleges collaborate. • Youth students exposed to tribal college, careers 1. Native communities and philanthropy at young age. will develop a road map toward creating a • Support education about historic/current policy agenda encompassing education at in trauma and support for recovery from current early childhood, primary school, secondary trauma in classroom through assistance from school, and higher education. The coalition outside organizations. will leverage the messaging from the policy agenda in a public relations campaign. Bold ideas Key considerations, strategies and 1. Support youth advocacy movements to recommendations to work toward support changes in school policy. 2. Incorporate Native voices at the table in Harnessing the promise of schools to support students’ policy discussions and philanthropy, with an holistic betterment will require diverse partnerships aim towards increasing the number of Native with community stakeholders and educators at all teachers and increasing non-Native teachers, levels. Players will need to overcome resistance administrators, and school board members’ to change and invest energies over the long term. understanding of Native community priorities. Technology, traditional teachings, and a focus on 3. Expose students – even at a young workforce development all have roles to play. age – to higher education and the opportunities represented. Establishing and convening a network that will be 4. Creatively engage families through empowered to develop the policy agenda mentioned school activities to overcome and address above could change our education system and ensure historical and present-day trauma. it is more responsive to supporting Native students’ 5. Recognize schools as centers healthy futures and young Native people’s roles as for the community. tomorrow’s leaders.
Capacity building needs Five Year Goal 1. Increase the awareness of under-resourced communities of funding opportunities and BRIDGING AND SUPPORTING THE SUCCESS OF build their capacity to secure needed funds. NATIVE STUDENTS. 2. Support broad, Native-led coalitions that are active at the local, regional and national levels
45 SUMMARY: INDIAN COUNTRY ADVOCACY AND POLICY WORK GROUPS
STEPS TOWARD A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK TO INVEST IN AND EMPOWER NATIVE-LED ADVOCACY AND POLICY CHANGE
The Indian Country advocacy and policy work group close the health disparity gap in Indian Country. sessions created a unique mutual learning opportunity for philanthropy, policy advocates, tribal and federal 1. Native culture, beliefs and traditional government representatives, and community activists foods play a central role in community and organizers. engagement and establishing effective health and well-being policies. The The results reflect a readiness for a new kind of role of culture was a common thread in the partnership between these communities, premised discussions. Model programs have been more on the need to shift the focus from simply addressing impactful when placed within the continuum immediate crises to focusing on long-term solutions of Native histories and creation stories, not
that target the roots of the problems through as an interruption. In the Empowering Youth community-driven advocacy. Leadership and Action work group, a young participant spoke with urgency on the need for For example, the Utilizing Culture as Prevention and inter-generational collaboration in advocacy for Pathway Toward Holistic Community Health work the rightful role of tribal traditions and cultures. group discussed the need to shift the narrative from “intervention” to “prevention” and framing the work 2. Systemic change is needed to match of philanthropy as “investment” in Indian Country the magnitude of the problems in Indian instead of “charity.” Country. Each work group brainstormed problems and obstacles, as well as opportunities Common themes and approaches emerged from the and strengths in addressing each of the seven work groups which provide a framework for action to issue areas. Across the board, groups listed more
46 opportunities and strengths than problems 5. Native foods are healthy foods. Native and obstacles. The discussions dug into root cultures, our way of life, and the spiritual causes and solutions. Most groups urged for connection to Mother Earth help shape the creation of a policy road map, a common possible solutions to the lack of access to agenda for advocates and policymakers, as affordable healthy foods. Although only one well as accessible resources and clearinghouses work group focused on increasing access for advocacy support, because short-term to healthy, traditional foods, most of the solutions are becoming obstacles to longer- work groups related their issue area to food term gains in health in Native communities. as the heart of Native culture and the core to sustainable economic development. The 3. Tribal sovereignty is a unique legal Increasing Access to Healthy, Affordable and status that is critical to a culture of Traditional Food work group examined the health in Indian Country. A cross section complicated relationship between federal of work groups referenced the critical role regulations, food programs, and tribal that tribal leaders and governments are traditional foods – and the negative impact playing and must continue to play to affect this has on Native communities. There was health policy shifts. Work groups touched strong support for establishing tribal food on the need for tribal governments to have systems that are suited to the legal, cultural and more control over food, land use, and water geographical locations of tribal communities. quality. Focused trainings and support for One participant said, “The farm-to-table food tribes to take over regulatory and inspection process should be the norm, not a privilege.” roles in food production were named as steps to fortify the role of tribal governments. 6. Community-driven advocacy. Organizing the creative energies of grassroots activists 4. Investments in Native-led projects. The in Indian Country through community importance of resourcing Native-led projects engagement is critical to eradicating hunger, was discussed both in the plenary sessions and disease and poverty. Many participants spoke the work groups. The Poverty and Empowering of the importance and power of the most-
Tribal Economies to Improve Health Outcomes affected advocating for themselves rather than work group reviewed the historic impact of introducing models imposed from outside of a lack of access to capital. Native-led projects Indian Country. Examples from the Navajo are an avenue for vibrant, sustainable tribal and Lower Brule reservations of volunteer- economies, which build on the social assets led movements that successfully advocated of Indian Country. More attention is needed for tribal health policy changes highlights to develop models of tribal economies which the impact of funding for organizing. In the are diversified and promote long-term Empower Youth Leadership and Action work job creation while producing the food and group, they advocated for funding a system services needed in Native communities to of technical support in Indian Country that ensure life for next the seven generations. encourages young people to become “change agents” and builds bridges between Native
47 communities, advocates, and governments generation through culturally appropriate for more effective input into policies. curricula and by eliminating physical activity deserts and encouraging farming and ranching 7. Build the capacity of philanthropy to vocational training. There is also a critical understand and move strategically in need for early childhood mothering support Indian Country. Work groups discussed a services as decisive steps towards breaking the variety of proposals for information-sharing cycle of health crisis both on reservations and infrastructure – both between tribes and in urban environments. Youth participants between Indian Country and philanthropy – to proposed that at future convenings, they be share successful model programs or initiatives invited to participate across all of the issue or lessons learned from failures. Many spoke discussion groups instead of meeting as a of the need to develop mechanisms to share separate track in the overall program. “hands-on” experiences and structures for the broad input of the “moccasins on the ground,” 9. Need for a nationally coordinated which is not necessarily directly related to approach to walking the traditional a specific grant proposal. Philanthropy and path to healthier Native communities. advocates alike, acknowledged the reality The potential for new partnerships and that “transformational change does not collaborations prompted a call for more come about in one funding cycle.” More nationally coordinated efforts, both inter- opportunities like Fertile Ground II are tribally and between Native communities and needed to navigate the complexity of Indian philanthropy. The complex histories, the role Country and philanthropy partnerships of culture, and on-the-ground experiences are for long-term transformational change. the starting points for strategic partnerships.
8. The importance of early childhood The proposals for 35 Bold Ideas for Action, 21 Capacity programs, schools and support for youth Building Resources needed, and 7 Next Steps create a leadership development. Many work groups framework for action on the health and well-being of pinpointed the need to focus on the younger Indian Country.
“Transformational change does not come about in one funding cycle.”
48 The complex histories, the role of culture, and on-the-ground experiences are the starting points for strategic partnerships.
49 A MESSAGE FROM THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
Fertile Ground II participants received a very special sure the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation surprise on the final day when Dr. Risa Lavizzo- was represented, even if only virtually. We are Mourey, President and CEO of the Robert Wood so very proud to be part of this critical effort, Johnson Foundation (RWJF), sent a personal video and we want to continue to be a part of the message. RWJF has long been an important champion conversation. and investor in the health of Indian Country. The
organization is also an important partner to AHA So let me start by thanking the Shakopee through their joint initiative, Voices for Healthy Kids. Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a tremendous partner to the American Heart Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey shared some Association and the Voices for Healthy Kids, important concluding thoughts with who are working to increase the access to participants: healthy and traditional foods for all Native Americans. And thank you too to the leaders Good afternoon, and thank you for allowing representing their tribal nations who are in me to participate in this important meeting to attendance as well as the inspiring Native help improve the health outcomes for Native youth, the future leaders of this critical effort. Americans. I’m sorry I couldn’t join you in person, but this is so crucial I wanted to be As some of you may know, the Robert
50 “We can and will raise the health of everyone to the level that they deserve.”
So I implore you to keep thinking big. And don’t leave your bold ideas in this room. Share them with others and continue to challenge one another to increase the education, collaboration, action and investment in Indian Country.
Don’t leave the new relationships you’ve developed here either. Working across organizations, states and tribes is the only way to ensure that all Native Americans have the opportunity to live healthier.
It’s rare to recognize a moment of great change while you are living it.
But this is one of those moments.
Wood Johnson Foundation is the largest If we all come together, philanthropy in America dedicated solely to health. We co-founded Voices for Healthy We can and will raise the health of everyone to
Kids, one of the sponsors of this meeting, the level that they deserve. and our vision is to work alongside others to build a Culture of Health in which everyone So thank you for recognizing that now is has the opportunity to live the healthiest life the time to build a Culture of Health, so our possible. And when we say everyone, we mean children and our children’s children can live everyone, regardless of where we live, how in a nation that values, and nurtures, their much money we make, or where we’re from. well-being. The health of our country cannot flourish as long as so many continue to face steep and --Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, stubborn barriers to well-being. And we can President and CEO, Robert Wood Johnson only get there with the kind of comprehensive Foundation solutions that you’ve been thinking about here.
51 GROWING THE MOVEMENT: A SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLOSION CALLING FOR NATIVE DIET, FOOD AND HEALTH CHANGE
#FertileGround and #NativeFood), Thunderclap (for 6.6 MILLION. simultaneous and networked postings), and Facebook posts to widely share our key messages, quotes from That is the number of social media impressions our speakers, and impactful graphics. surrounding the Fertile Ground II convening.
Our social media goals for Fertile Ground II included: For a Native American event focused on an issue not normally in the public eye, this is an incredible 1. Raising awareness about health policy issues in achievement. Indian Country among funders, policymakers, tribal leaders, Native organizations and allies. If that number is any indication of the support for the 2. Promoting dialogue and movement to improve and strengthen Native food, engagement on these issues. nutrition and health, then Fertile Ground II truly has 3. Building relationships. tapped into a cultural shift. 4. Promoting action following Fertile Ground II.
Fertile Ground II’s coordinated social media strategy By beginning social media activity several days prior harnessed Twitter (with the primary hashtags of to Fertile Ground II, we were able to generate early
52 excitement and awareness. Outreach during the event helped to bring our discussions and issues to those who were not able to attend in person, making Fertile Ground II even more successful and helping to build Over the years, I’ve spent time an online presence in support of our goals. working on wellness and food issues, first as a nurse and then We know that our message went beyond the “usual within my own tribe, but it was suspects,” reaching officials at key federal agencies siloed and fragmented at first. (particularly the U.S. Department of Agriculture), tribal leaders, funders, and (not least) members of the And now the SMSC and I general public whose awareness and support will help appreciate better that policy in keep the momentum of our movement growing. support of health is critical for us and all Natives. We sincerely thank friends, event sponsors, allied organizations, and others who live-tweeted, who lent – -Lori Watso, their networks, and whose enthusiasm buoys our Chair, SMSC Seeds of Native Health, closing remarks spirits. at Fertile Ground II
The response on social media already tells us that we are making progress and it is absolutely essential that we continue to expand this conversation.
Now, the path lies before us to leverage this online support into action, financial support, and political collateral.
53 CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Today there is a growing, grassroots movement and gave us a hopeful vision of a future in which they in Indian Country for improved diets and health, and their children enjoy good health. access to good foods, and developing healthy Native communities. Fertile Ground II is just one This movement is larger than any one person, tribe, contribution towards this movement. The goal of or organization, and will require each of us – tribal
the conference was to stimulate a national discussion governments, federal agencies, funders, Native about food-related, Native-led policy work. It provided nonprofit organizations, researchers, academicians, a forum for learning, exchanging ideas, brainstorming, Native stakeholders, youth, and others to bring to the identifying problems, and – just as important – table what we can. cultivating new friends and allies. We allowed the voices of our brightest leaders, including those not The Fertile Ground II event garnered 6.6 million social often heard from, to come to the forefront. media impressions – absolutely unprecedented for a Native American convening, much less any convening We were particularly inspired by the contributions on social issues across the board. People are listening, of Native young people who honored us with their they are inspired, and they want to be a part of a presence and who give our work meaning. Their ideas movement to bring about change and improve the captured our imagination, energized the conference, health outcomes and lives of Native children, families,
54 communities, and tribal nations. commitments toward the establishment of this fund, but intend to expand the pool of resources to support Bringing the issue of Native diet-related health issues this work. and need for change into the collective consciousness is one of the many barriers broken by Fertile Ground AHA and SMSC encourage funders and others to join II. Increasing awareness and sharing information will them in financially supporting the Policy Innovation play an important part, benefiting all of us who care Fund. They have begun the planning necessary to about Native community food systems and diet- create a coalition to support this initiative. They related health issues. welcome other prospective funders’ ideas, strategies, and technical knowledge in furtherance of Native Development of a policy innovation policy and advocacy efforts. fund for indian country Next steps The AHA and SMSC have learned through their own respective work in Indian Country – and by listening The collective enthusiasm and successful work at to Native advocates, youth, tribal leaders, and other Fertile Ground II has already led to the consideration stakeholders – that the importance of Native-led of several future steps. These may include another efforts to change policies at the tribal, local and federal Fertile Ground convening on a related topic, levels. regional gatherings, the development of toolkits for community-led policy and advocacy efforts, As a result, Lori Watso, Chair of the SMSC’s Seeds of launching social media campaigns, creating youth Native Health campaign, and Jill Birnbaum, Executive advocate development opportunities, and increasing Director of Voices for Healthy Kids and Vice President, investment by Native and non-Native funders in State Advocacy & Public Health at American Heart policy and systems change, whether through the Policy Association, announced at Fertile Ground II that Innovation Fund or other avenues. both entities are continuing their partnership beyond the Fertile Ground convenings, and will be working The SMSC and AHA plan to continue to listen to together to create a Policy Innovation Fund for Native- partners within Native communities – to tribal led health, nutrition, and food policy work. This fund government leaders, policy and public health experts, will support the strategies and action items like those researchers, and those in philanthropy. identified and presented at Fertile Ground II. The Fertile Ground convenings have demonstrated The Policy Innovation Fund will be the first-of-its-kind over the last year that Native leaders and activists are – a dedicated funding stream that will support Native- powerful when they work together across diverse led advocacy and policy change to improve Native constituencies. The time is has never been more nutrition and health. The intention is to provide the opportune to make positive, lasting change for the resources for Native-led policy change efforts in three health of Indian Country. areas: advocacy, implementation and evaluation.
Both organizations have made initial, six-figure
55 FERTILE GROUND II PLANNING COMMITTEE
We are extremely grateful to the Planning Committee members for their devotion, vision and hard work, without which Fertile Ground II would not have happened.
Judith LeBlanc Mia Hubbard Co-Chair MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger Native Organizers Alliance Denisa Livingston Crystal Echo Hawk Dine Community Advocacy Alliance Co-Chair Echo Hawk Consulting Abbie Nissenson Sustainable Agriculture Food System Funders Sara Couppas Clinton Foundation Huyen Nyugen Sustainable Agriculture Food System Funders Kelsey Ducheneaux Intertribal Agriculture Council/ Indigenous Food & Wilson Pipestem Agriculture Initiative Pipestem Law
Zach Ducheneaux Jasmine Hall Ratliff Intertribal Agriculture Council Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Dr. Jim Galloway Michael Roberts American Heart Association First Nations Development Institute
Chris Georgacas Sara Thatcher Goff Public/SMSC Goff Public/SMSC Seeds of Native Health Seeds of Native Health
Janie Hipp Valory Wangler Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative Zuni Youth Empowerment Project
56 American Heart Association staff Contributors
• Aaron Doeppers • Janie Simms Hipp (Chickasaw), Director, • Jennifer White Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, • Debbie Hornor University of Arkansas School of Law • Carter Headrick • Wilson Pipestem (Otoe-Missouria/Osage), • Jennifer Cole Founder and Principal, Pipestem Law • Shelley Means, Facilitator (Lakota/Ojibe), Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant We also wish to thank Mortality • Jennifer White, American Heart Association • Barbara Daniels, Event Planning Support • Leah Gardner, American Heart Association • Emerald Dawn Hames, Assistant, Native Youth • Amber Cardinal (Arikara/Hidatsa/Ojibwa), Fellowship and Track Coordinator American Indian Cancer Foundation • Chef Sean Sherman (Oglala Lakota) • Melanie Plucinski (Bad River Band of Lake • Erin Shirl, Native Youth Fellowship and Track Superior Chippewa), American Indian Cancer Coordinator Foundation • Melinda Stade Agundis, Shakopee Mdewakanton • Marcia Warren Edelman (Santa Clara Pueblo/ Sioux Community member Brazilian) • JW Marriott, Mall of America, Minneapolis • Francesca Martinez, American Heart Association • Pamela Johns, Facilitator (Red Lake Ojibwe), ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FERTILE GROUND II REPORT public relations specialist CONTRIBUTORS: • Shash Yázhí Charley, Facilitator (Diné), Eagle Evolution Co- editors and contributors • Missty Lechner, American Heart Association • Jennifer Cole, American Heart Association
• Crystal Echo Hawk (Pawnee), President and • Liz Waggoner, American Heart Association CEO, Echo Hawk Consulting • Carter Headrick, American Heart Association • Judith LeBlanc (Caddo), Director, Native Organizers Alliance Graphic design
Project manager • Buffalo Nickel Creative
Maggie Rice (Pawnee), Echo Hawk Consulting Report sponsor
Lead writer • W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Marian Quinlan, CFRE, Quinlan & Associates
57 APPENDIX
Feeding Ourselves: Food Access, Health Disparities, Fertile Ground I: and the Pathways to Healthy Native American Planting the Seeds for Native American Nutrition and Communities recommendations Health Funder Roundtable Final Report: seedsofnativehealth.org/fertilegroundreport Fertile Ground I: Planting the Seeds for Native American Nutrition and Health funders’ roundtable Seeds of Native Health Semi-Annual Report summary April-September 2016: seedsofnativehealth.org/ReportSept2016 Useful resources: Seeds of Native Health: Seeds of Native Health, A Campaign for Indigenous Nutrition, Semi-Annual Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community: Report October 2015-March 2016: seedsofnativehealth.org seedsofnativehealth.org/ReportMarch2016
Voices for Healthy Kids, Seeds of Native Health: American Heart Association: A Campaign for Indigenous Nutrition, Semi-Annual voicesforhealthykids.org Report March-September 2015 seedsofnativehealth.org/ReportSept2015 Feeding Ourselves: Food Access, Health Disparities, and the Pathways to Healthy Native American 2015 Voices for Healthy Kids Progress Report: Communities Report: Transforming Communities, Changing Lives www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@adv/ www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Advocate/ documents/downloadable/ucm_475566.pdf VoicesforHealthyKids/AboutUs/2015-Progress-Report_ UCM_477279_Article.jsp#.V6Fx0mWh6Pk
58 SUMMARY
FEEDING OURSELVES: FOOD ACCESS, HEALTH • Study the feasibility of placing management of DISPARITIES, AND THE PATHWAYS TO HEALTHY all feeding programs within USDA Food and NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES Nutrition Service’s (FNS) jurisdiction under direct tribal government jurisdiction. USDA HIGH-LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS should implement a provision allowing greater use of traditional foods within federal feeding • Support market-driven solutions to improve programs and as donated food product in all both the health of tribal food systems and the public institutional settings in Indian Country. health of the people within them. • Catalyze change in Indian Country by providing • Commit resources to ensure planning, land critical funding for Native communities, tribes assessment and local leasing regulation and intermediaries. processes will allow tribes to control their • Include Native Americans in conversations in own destiny for sustainable and healthier philanthropy and public health regarding racial food production on those lands within their and health equity. jurisdiction. • Understand and embrace the deep and varied • Increase the amount of healthy foods grown levels of underdevelopment, disparities and locally and available locally to Native peoples, complex legal and political realities that tribes particularly those who receive benefits from and Native American people live within. feeding programs, to add value to be retained in • Engage in dialogue with funders, policymakers, the local community when individuals use their Native nonprofits, tribes and communities to feeding program benefits locally. create working groups with leading Native and • Forge pathways – led by tribes, grassroots non-Native stakeholders to devise action plans. advocates, nonprofits, and other stakeholders - to create innovative advocacy opportunities to increase Native access to healthy food.
59 FERTILE GROUND I: PLANTING THE SEEDS OF NATIVE HEALTH FUNDERS’ ROUNDTABLE SUMMARY
Building on the Seeds of Native Health campaign and be prioritized and addressed through increased the publication of Feeding Ourselves, Fertile Ground I: investment, infrastructure development, and Planting the Seeds of Native Health was co-hosted by policy changes. the AHA and SMSC in October 2015 in Minneapolis. • It is imperative to recognize and respect tribal An unprecedented 41 major national, regional and sovereignty and the unique political status, tribal funders, along with federal and state funding history, and cultural lifeways of tribes and their agencies, gathered to determine meaningful steps to citizens. increase policy efforts related to improved nutrition, • Culture is prevention. It is critical to recognize greater access to healthy foods, enhanced food that American Indian cultural lifeways, sovereignty, and better health outcomes in Indian traditions and languages are essential elements
Country. of successful strategies to improve the health and well-being of American Indian A series of interactive plenary sessions, small group communities. roundtables, and a funders’ panel drew the following • Philanthropy and policymakers need to conclusions on strategies for successful investment in ensure that American Indian leadership and collaboration with Indian Country: and stakeholders are “at the table” in the development of policies, programs and • The lack of access to capital and credit for solutions designed to address food access and American Indian food producers, communities, health disparities and the root causes that and tribes and the subsequent underinvestment underpin these issues such as poverty and and underdevelopment of Indian Country are systemic inequities. serious and fundamental challenges that must
60 • The lack of quality and consistent data similarities and differences in approach that regarding American Indians is a serious issue. are required to address food access issues Increased investment in data collection led by and health disparities within reservation and and including American Indian communities urban American Indian communities. Each is a critical starting point to developing population has its own unique challenges and and implementing effective strategies to opportunities. strengthen American Indian food systems, • It is important to support various strategies tribal economies, access to healthy food, and to ensure that American Indian tribes improved nutrition and health. and communities have direct control and • Investments in leadership development of management over key federal feeding programs American Indian youth must be a priority in all in order to increase access to traditional, Native/ efforts to create community-driven solutions locally sourced, and healthy foods for Native and policy change. children, families, and those most in need. • It is critical to explore the specific needs,
61 ATTENDEE LIST
A Ursula Bauer Freedom Brewer Director, National Center for Secretary/Treasurer Melinda Stade Agundis Chronic Disease Prevention and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Member Health Promotion Community Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Centers for Disease Control and Community Prevention (CDC) Carissa Brownotter Youth Coordinator Nora Alexander Tiffany Beckman Community and Patient WEAVE-NW Project Specialist Physician Endocrinologist Empowermant (COPE) Project Northwest Portland Area Indian University of Minnesota NCHO Youth Leadership Program Health Board Jill Birnbaum April Brumfield Keith Anderson Vice President, State Advocacy & Campaign Director, Multicultural Vice-Chairman Public Health Communities Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Voices for Healthy Kids American Heart Association Community American Heart Association Joanna Bryant LaRaye Anderson Vance Blackfox SMSC Wellness Coordinator Native American Community Executive Director Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Specialist Oaks Indian Mission Community Minnesota Department of Health Doug Blanke Amanda Burley Dana Arviso Director Senior Advisor Executive Director Public Health Law Center U.S. Department of Agriculture Potlatch Fund Office of Tribal Relations Stacy Bohlen Executive Director B National Indian Health Board C
Alison Babb Cynthia Boshell Amber Cardinal Health Improvement Project Program Director Project Coordinator Manager Northern California Tribal Court American Indian Cancer Foundation Cener for Prevention Coalition Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
62 Danya Carroll Monica Cordova Senior Research Program Program Director Aaron Doeppers Coordinator Funders’ Collaborative on Youth Senior Manager of Strategic Johns Hopkins Center for American Organizing Partneships Indian Health American Heart Association Feast for the Future Program Sara Couppas Voices for Healthy Kids Program Manager, National Jenna Carter Programs Jessica Donze Black Health Improvement Project Clinton Foundation Director, Kids Safe and Healthful Manager Foods Project Center for Prevention Rebecca Crooks-Stratton The Pew Charitable Trusts Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Community Member Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Amy Doyle Maureen Cassidy Community SNAP-ED Grant Manager Vice President of Advocacy Minnesota Department of Human American Heart Association Services Midwest Affiliate D Kelsey Ducheneaux Michelle Castagne Ashley Damewood Programs Coodinator Congressional Relations Associate Program Officer Indigenous Food and Agriculture National Indian Health Board Partners In Health Initiative Community Outreach and Patient University of Arkansas School of Law Sylvia Castillo Empowerment (COPE) Project Deputy Director Zachary Ducheneaux The Praxis Project Barbara Daniels Program Manager Manager, Scientific and Corporate Intertribal Agriculture Council Shash Yazhi Charley Meetings Lead Facilitator American Heart Association Eagle Evolution Consulting E Gretchen Dobervich Cordelia Clapp RN, BSN Policy Project Manager Sarah Eagle Heart American Heart Association North Dakota State University CEO SouthWest Affiliate American Indian Public Health Native Americans in Philanthropy Resource Center Jennifer Cole Crystal Echo Hawk Project Coordinator Valerie Dobesh President American Heart Association Native American Resource Center Echo Hawk Consulting Voices for Healthy Kids Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc. Midge Epstein Executive Vice President American Heart Association SouthWest Affiliate
63 Ace Eversley Julie Garreau Paula Hale Program Consultant Executive Director Discrimination Specialist Aetna Foundation, Inc. Cheyenne River Youth Project American Airlines
James Garza Stacy Hammer F CEO Registered Dietitian/Diabetes ROBOFARM, llc. Coordinator, Lower Sioux Health Cindy Farlee Care Center Youth Track representative Chris Georgacas Lower Sioux Indian Community Intertribal Agriculture Council CEO/President Goff Public Electa Hare-RedCorn Kathleen Fluegel MSW/ Assistant Keeper of the Seeds Executive Director Jodi Gillette Pawnee Seed Preservation Project HRK Foundation Policy Advisor Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Lea Foushee Endreson & Perry, LLP Craig Hassel Environmental Justice Director Associate Professor North American Water office Mariah Gladstone University of Minnesota Youth Track representative Robert Fox UNITY Carter Headrick Agroecology Technician Director, State and Local Obesity United Tribes Technical College Renee Goldtooth Policy Associate Director American Heart Association Dr. Linda Frizzell Notah Begay III Foundation Voices for Healthy Kids Faculty University of Minnesota Mary Greene Nick Hernandez Great Lakes Tribal EpiCenter Director Director of Food Sovereignty Spirit Lake Tribe Thunder Valley Community Food Distribution Program Development Corporation G Victoria Grey Owl Janie Hipp Leah Gardner Associate Scientist Director Equity Organizer for the Good Food Center for Health Outcomes and Indigenous Food and Agriculture Access Fund Prevention Research Initiative American Heart Association Sanford Research University of Arkansas School of Law
Pamela Garmon Johnson Renee Gross Debbie Hornor Vice President, National Campaign Engagement Manager Mission Advancement, National Multicultural Markets Alliance for a Healthier Generation Team Lead American Heart Association American Heart Association H
64 Mia Hubbard Dakotah Jim Laura Klein Vice President of Programs Program Officer Deputy Director MAZON: A Jewish Response to Notah Begay III Foundation Healthy Eating Research Hunger University of Minnesota Pamela Johns Justin Huenamann Public Relations Executive Director Red Lake Nation L Notah Begay III Foundation Dr. Michelle Johnson-Jennings Rebecca Landsberry Research for Indigenous Managing Editor I Community Health Center Native Health News Alliance University of Minnesota College of Kristine Igo Pharmacy Becky LaPlant Associate Director Public Policy Associate Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Buck Jones Blandin Foundation Institute - University of Minnesota Salmon Marketing Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Valerie Larsen Zachary Ilbery Commission Director, Twin Cities Office Youth Track representative Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indigenous Food & Agriculture Doris Jones Initiative - University of Arkansas SNAP-Ed Manager Ryia LeBeau School of Law Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Youth Track representative Intertribal Agriculture Council Gail Imig Consultant K Judith LeBlanc Representing W.K. Kellogg Foundation Director Russell Kaney Native Organizers Alliance Director, Programs J Enterprise Community Partners, Missty Lechner Inc. Advocacy Project Director Seralee Jagemann American Heart Association Community Health Representative Jefferson Keel Stockbridge-Munsee Community Lt. Governor Michelle Lieberman Chickasaw Nation Technical Assistance Manager Dr. Derek Jennings Safe Routes to School National Research for Indigenous Jan Keller Partnership Community Health Center Extension Nutrition Educator University of Minnesota College of United Tribes Technical College Denisa Livingston Pharmacy Community Health Advocate Cecily Kihn Diné Community Advocacy Alliance Executive Director Agua Fund
65 Sherry Longie Masewa Mody Odessa Oldham Parent/Advocate Youth Track Representative Youth Track representative Enrolled member Oneida Tribe of Intertribal Agriculture Council Indigenous Food & Agriculture Wisconsin, Parent/advocate Initiative Kelly Moore Barbara Lopez Associate Professor Rae O’Leary Program Analyst Centers for American Indian and Nurse U.S. Department of Argriculture Alaska Native Health Missouri Breaks Industries Food and Nutrition Service Colorado School of Public Health, Research, Inc. University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus Sedelta Oosahwee M Senior Advisor/Acting Deputy Terry Moore Director Francesca Martinez General Counsel U.S. Department of Argriculture Multicultural Markets Strategic Osage Nation Office of Tribal Relations Alliance Manager American Heart Association Aimee Morrison SNAP-Ed Administrative Assistant P Gary Matteson Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Vice President Young, Beginning, Stephany Parker Small Farmer Programs Megan Myers Associate Professor Farm Credit South Dakota Government Relations Oklahoma State University Director Partners in Indian Country Teresa McCoy American Heart Association Big Cove Tribal Council Joy Persall Representative Executive Co-Director Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian N Dream of Wild Health
Jordan McGeshick Roxanna Newsom Erik Peterson Health Board Member Food Distribution Program Manager Vice President of Policy Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake The Chickasaw Nation Afterschool Alliance Superior Chippewa Indians Teresa Peterson Melissa McGeshick O Tribal Planner Health Board Member Lower Sioux Indian Community Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Beth OKeefe Superior Chippewa Indians Advocate Wilson Pipestem MINUTE Indigenous Womens Society President Shelley Means Pipestem Law Co-Coordinator Eileen O’Keefe Native American Women’s Dialog Program Director on Infant Mortality Dakota Wicohan
66 Rhonda Pitka Matthew Richardson Valerie Segrest Chairwoman Youth Track representative Traditional Foods and Plants Council of Athabascan Tribal Center for Native American Youth Program Manager Governments Muckleshoot Tribe
Melanie Plucinski Olivia Roanhorse Simone Senogles Project Manager Director of Native Strong Food Sovereignty Program American Indian Cancer Foundation Notah Begay III Foundation Coordinator Indigenous Environmental Network Bryan Pollard Michael Roberts Director of Tribal Relations President and CEO Fawn Sharp Indigenous Food and Agriculture First Nations Development Institute President Initiative Quinault Indian Nation University of Arkansas School of Law Vincent Romero Executive Director Erin Shirl Jaime Prouty American Indian Center, Inc. Assistant Director Director Indigenous Food & Agriculture National Association of Food Bill Rudnicki Initiative Distribution Programs on Indian Tribal Administrator University of Arkansas School of Law Reservations Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Comanche Nation Community Lahoma Simmons Director Muscogee Creek Nation R S Cherilyn Spears Julie Ralston Aoki Martha Salazar Project Coordinator Staff Attorney Senior Policy Specialist Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Public Health Law Center National Caucus of Native American State Legislators Doris Stands Raymond RedCorn National Conference of State Program Assistant Assistant Principal Chief Legislatures Dakota Wicohan Osage Nation Lena Sanchez Kristine Stanfill Alayna Rhodes Youth Track representative Community Fund Director Youth Track representative Intertribal Agriculture Council Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative Dr. Eduardo Sanchez Ben Stevens Chief Medical Officer for Prevention Hunting and Fishing Task Kris Rhodes American Heart Association Coordinator Executive Director Tanana Chiefs Conference American Indian Cancer Foundation
67 Danielle Sutherland Christine Twait Donald Warne Nutrition Education Coordinator Executive Director Chair, Department of Public Health Leech Lake Nutrition Program Partners in Nutrition North Dakota State University SNAP-Ed Marcia Warren Edelman U Facilitator T Self-employed Cecily Upton Sara Thatcher Vice President of Innovation and Lori Watso Senior Account Executive Strategic Partnerships Seeds of Native Health Chair Goff Public FoodCorps Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chris Tholkes Assistant Division Director, V Liz Welch Office of Statewide Health Director of Advancement Improvement Initiatives Charlie Vig Thunder Valley Community Minnesota Department of Health Chairman Development Corporation Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Mark TIlsen Community Peggy Wellknown Buffalo President/Co-Founder Executive Director Native American Natural Foods LLC Jazmin Villavicencio Center Pole TANKA Bar and Tanka Brands NativeVision Field Coordinator/ Tuba City Cite Manager Perdita Wexler Nick Tilsen Johns Hopkins Center for American Wellness Project Coordinator Executive Director Indian Health Pueblo of Santa Ana Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation Dwayne Wharton W Director of External Affairs Bonita Tindley The Food Trust Program Officer Liz Waggoner Agua Fund, Inc. Voices for Healthy Kids Campaign Leslie Wheelock Director Director Kim Townsend American Heart Association U.S. Department of Argriculture Assistant Planner Office of Tribal Relations Duckwater Shoshone Tribe Raphael Wahwassuck Director Brayden White Memarie Tsosie Native Connections Youth Track Representative Food Access Manager Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Center for Native American Youth Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment (COPE) Valory Wangler Co-Director Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
68 Emily White Grassroots Manager Z American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Leann Zacharof Youth Track Representative Jennifer White Center for Native American Youth Health Equity Partnerships Manager Voices for Healthy Kids Sara Zimmerman American Heart Association Program and Policy Director Safe Routes to School National Heather Wooten Partnership Vice President of Programs ChangeLab Solutions
69 Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
2330 Sioux Trail NW
Prior Lake, MN 55372
952-445-8900