Strengthening Native American Communities & Economies
First Nations Development Institute recognizes that accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Native American children and families. Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. To increase access to healthy food, we support tribes and Native communities as they build sustainable food systems that improve health, strengthen food security and increase the control over Native agriculture and food systems. First Nations provides this assistance in the form of financial and technical support, including training materials, to projects that address agriculture and food sectors in Native communities.
First Nations also undertakes research projects that build the knowledge and understanding of Native agriculture and food systems issues, and inform Native communities about innovative ideas and best practices. We also participate in policy forums that help develop legislative and regulatory initiatives within this sector. First Nations supports a regional and national network of Native food sector and related organizations.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) has been a long-term and generous supporter of First Nations Development Institute's work in Native food systems and agriculture. In 2011, WKKF awarded First Nations $2.88 million over three years (2012-2014) to increase positive outcomes in Native children’s health and economic well-being. WKKF and First Nations partnered to support initiatives aimed at enhancing Native control of local food systems – especially in addressing issues such as food insecurity, food deserts, and health and nutrition – while simultaneously bolstering much-needed economic development in those communities. In 2015, WKKF provided an additional grant of $2.95 million to extend First Nations’ work in the area of Native agriculture and food systems for three years, 2015 through 2017. In addition to the other major grants listed separately, these 2017 and 2016 Food Sovereignty Assessment grants were made possible by that funding.
These grants were made for the purpose of conducting community food sovereignty assessments, which can help communities gain a better knowledge and understanding about the historical, current and future state of their local food systems. This data-collection process can provide a variety of information about the evolution of the local food system; help quantify individual, household or tribal program/government spending on food; Native dollars spent off-reservation on food purchases; potential for food business development; traditional food access; community desires for local food-system development; food policy desires or needs; and more.
In 2017 First Nations awarded nine grants of varying amounts to Native American tribes and organizations.
In 2016 First Nations awarded 10 grants of $10,000 each to Native American tribes and organizations.
In 2016, First Nations received a generous $480,000 grant from the NoVo Foundation Fund at the Tides Foundation for a project aimed at strengthening food sovereignty in Native American communities. Through a request-for-proposals process, First Nations selected 21 tribes and Native American organizations for grants under the project, so they can conduct community food sovereignty assessments.
Also referred to as a “community food assessment,” a food sovereignty assessment (FSA) is a collaborative and participative process that systematically examines a range of community food assets in order to inform social and economic change and begin the process of strengthening a food system. The FSA takes a solutions-oriented approach that looks at assets and resources as well as problems. This process has the potential to truly promote local food-system control by increasing knowledge about food-related needs and resources, and by building collaboration and capacity. Using a participatory approach that advocates for community control of the food system, FSAs can (and should) be conducted by communities and their members.
The 2016 grant recipients were as follows. Grant amounts are $20,000 each unless otherwise indicated:
First Nations Development Institute is pleased to present The Business of Indian Agriculture, a curriculum designed to help farmers and ranchers succeed in managing their businesses. It covers useful topics like how to develop a business plan, how to set up bookkeeping systems, and marketing. It also covers important topics like risk management, personal financial management, and using credit wisely. This project was made possible with support from the USDA - NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the CHS Foundation.
The curriculum has five main modules:
Module 1: Business
Module 2: Accounting
Module 3: Financial Management
Module 4: Agribusiness Economics and Marketing
Module 5: Land Use and Management
For more information about the curriculum, visit the Participant Guide flipbook and the Instructor Guide flipbook. To download the PDF of the curriculum, please visit the Knowledge Center.
In 2012, the CHS Foundation awarded a $35,000 Cooperative Education grant to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers on the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the U.S. This grant will allow First Nations to educate farmers and ranchers on potential opportunities through cooperatives and assess potential models that could be used to assist farmers and ranchers develop farm production cooperatives and marketing and supply cooperatives. These cooperatives are intended to help farmers and ranchers increase their access to agricultural resources marketing and supplies, and also help expose them to the latest technology.
In November 2012, Taos County Economic Development Corporation partnered with First Nations to develop the Alliance. The overall goal of NAFSA is to develop a movement that gives voice to issues of Native sovereignty, food-system control and policy development, and serves as a strong network for collaboration among various organizations engaged in Native food-system control.
Restoring Native food systems is an immediate and fundamental need for the continued survival, and physical and spiritual wellbeing of Native peoples and our Mother Earth – now and into the future. The costs of doing nothing – and the potential benefits of action – are massive.
We commit to take collective and individual action to address food sovereignty, and to build the necessary understanding and awareness among our Peoples, Nations, leaders and policymakers, as well as our youth and coming generations, to make it a continuing reality.
NAFSA is dedicated to restoring the Indigenous food systems that support Indigenous self-determination, wellness, cultures, values, communities, economies, languages, families, and rebuild relationships with the land, water, plants and animals that sustain us.
NAFSA brings people, communities (rural, remote and urban), organizations and Tribal governments together to share, promote and support best practices and policies that enhance dynamic Native food systems that promote holistic wellness, sustainable economic development, education, reestablished trade routes, stewardship of land and water resources, peer-to-peer mentoring, and multigenerational empowerment.
NAFSA works to put the farmers, wildcrafters, fishers, hunters, ranchers and eaters at the center of decision-making on policies, strategies and natural resource management.
We commit to take collective and individual action to address food sovereignty, and to build the necessary understanding and awareness among our Peoples, Nations, leaders and policymakers, as well as our youth and coming generations, to make it a continuing reality.
The NAFSA Founding Council members are:
NAFSA Coordinators are:
Become a NAFSA member or join our email list to get updates concerning NAFSA.
First Nations Knowledge is a series of educational webinars created and hosted by First Nations Development Institute. The series aims to educate Native Americans who are involved in food-systems work and agriculture, plus those who lead or work for Native nonprofit organizations. Through the webinars, we hope to build knowledge and skills and, thus, Native American business and organizational capacity.
The webinars are free and last approximately 90 minutes each. We encourage you to sign up for First Nations’ e-mail list here in order to be advised of any changes or future webinars.
For the scheudle of upcoming webinars visit www.firstnations.org/fnk