Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several initiatives for the welfare of Indian Country through equitable policies and programs at the White House Tribal Leaders Summit on Nov. 15
In a partnership with organizations that serve tribal nations, the USDA will allocate resources on seven projects that will restructure federal Indigenous food and agriculture projects.
"USDA respects the unique nation-to-nation relationship between the federal government and tribal nations… Today we launch initiatives that reframe and reimagine how USDA supports Indigenous agriculture and tribal communities,” according to a press release by the Food and Nutrition Service.
The USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative promotes Indian food traditions, as well as agriculture markets and Indigenous health through foods tailored to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) diets. They have committed to expanding tribal self-determination Through education, media and marketing, the release said.
"For decades, tribal leaders have requested that the (USDA) incorporate tribal self-determination policies to enable greater self-governance and decision making on USDA programs and policies that affect tribal communities," USDA said.
The USDA and the Interior Department also announced a joint project, Tribal Homelands Initiative, to "improve federal stewardship of public lands, waters, and wildlife by strengthening the role of tribal communities in federal land management,” according to a release.
“Shared stewardship of land management is a priority for USDA, and an important part of our responsibility to tribal nations,” Vilsack said. “Management challenges like extreme wildfires, severe drought and invasive species do not recognize borders or boundary lines. Through shared stewardship, USDA Forest Service is coming together with tribal governments, states, and other partners to address these challenges and explore opportunities to improve forest health and resiliency.”
The USDA also launched the Hall of Tribal Nations, a celebration of Native American culture. The hall features native artwork and flags of several tribal nations throughout America. The USDA hopes more nations contribute their flags to the hall.
"These are among the bold actions by the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that USDA appropriately engages tribal nations in a way that aligns with their sovereignty and our nation's trust and treaty responsibility,” Vilsack said.
