ew populations are facing as many simultaneous crises as Native communities. The unique challenges they face including the legacy of genocide and colonialism, the proliferation of large-scale, centralized agriculture, discriminatory federal policies, and the worsening impacts of pollution and climate change—have contributed to a food crisis. These issues have been exacerbated because of the Covid pandemic. Access to healthy food is critically low in Native communities, and rates of hunger and diet-related health issues like diabetes and child obesity are high. Many Native communities hold up food sovereignty as the path forward.

In this session, we’ll delve into the food sovereignty movement, and how Native communities are challenging dominant food structures to build systems that are resilient, environmentally sustainable, and centered around the wellbeing of Native people. The connection between food and cultural identity, and how Native communities are regaining and sharing lost knowledge will also be explored.

Speakers

Nephi Craig, Executive Chef, ACRPS, Native American Culinary Assoc. Sam Schimmel, Youth Advisory Board Member, Center for Native American Youth Nikki Pitre (Moderator), Executive Director, Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute Sanjay Rawal, Film Director, “Gather” Brian Yazzie, Chef, Educator, and Podcast Host

More Conversations on Food Justice

  • Four square portraits of the three panelists and one moderator who spoke about philanthropy and food justice as part of a regular series, Conversations on Food Justice. From left to right, Caesare Assad (brunette, smiling at the viewer, and wearing a dark blue shirt), Christina Chauvenet (short light brown hair, smiling at the viewer), Mel Jackson (a smiling black women with shoulder length hair, arms crossed wearing a white suit coat) and Chuck Scofield (a smiling man wearing a dark sport coat). The image is outlined in orange and blue. The logos for Share Our Strength (in bold black) and Food & Society at the Aspen Institute (bold blue underlined in red, light blue, yellow, and turquoise blue) are placed in the lower left corner.