Oglala Sioux Tribe awarded over $15 Million from USDA for Food Sovereignty Initiative

PINE RIDGE – The Oglala Sioux Tribe was awarded $15,300,000.00 from United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to (CFDA#10.182, Local Food Purchase Assistance) for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Food Distribution Program.

The USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance initiative was spearheaded by President Frank Star Comes Out who was made aware of the grant after a visit with USDA officials in Washington DC. Upon returning, President Star Comes Out called a meeting with Oglala Sioux Tribe Program Directors, Courtney Two Lance, Dave Kelly and Jake Little who immediately completed the application within 3 days of the deadline.

The Notice of Award was presented and accepted by President Frank Star Comes Out on March 18, 2024 with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The Local Food Purchase Assistance Program period of performance with the Oglala Sioux Tribe will be for 2 years beginning March 18, 2024 through March 27, 2026 to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resilience. www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/lfpacap/plus/signed-agreements/oglala

The Unci Maka Etan Uzani Pi Kte Food Sovereignty Initiative a partner with the USDA/Agriculture Marketing Service Local Food Purchasing Agreement Plus program, which encourages the purchase of local food, culturally sourced and minimally processed, to support Tribal Memberships, farmers, gardeners, foragers, ranchers, and other individuals to provide fresh, nutritious food to our community.

Program Goals: The Food Sovereignty Initiative aims to:

1. Promote Local Economy: By purchasing locally sourced, minimally processed food, we aim to stimulate the local economy and create job opportunities.
2. Support Sustainable Practices: Aligning with the OST Buy Local Laws, we are committed to supporting sustainable farming and production practices.
3. Improve Community Health: By providing access to fresh, nutritiously dense food, to include cultural foods, we aim to improve the overall health and wellbeing of our community.
4. Achieve Food Sovereignty: Our ultimate goal is to achieve food sovereignty, where our community has control over the way food is produced, traded, and consumed.

Interested individuals are invited to visit the Food Distribution Office to register and learn more about the program. The Food Distribution Program is particularly interested in purchasing Timpsila, Ceyaka, Fresh Berries and Dried Berries, Wasna, Papa, Fresh Vegetables, Honey, Grass Fed Buffalo, and Grass Fed Beef.

This list will be expanded in the coming weeks, providing even more opportunities for local producers.

For more information about the Food Sovereignty Initiative or to learn how you can get involved, please contact the OST Food Distribution Program at 605 867 5511.

You can also visit the USDA website www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-tousda/lfpacap/plus for a more detailed explanation.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe Food Distribution Program is committed to providing our community with access to healthy, nutritious food. We believe in the power of local food systems to improve health, strengthen the local economy, and build a more sustainable future. We look forward to working together to build a healthier, more sustainable future for our community.

For more information contact: Valerie Adams, Public Relations Coordinator Oglala Sioux Tribe – Star Comes Out/Mousseau Administration vadams@oglala.org

In accordance with and in the spirit of Treaties entered into on behalf of the Oglala People and the United States of America, the Oglala People have embarked on a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, focused on food sovereignty, titled “Unci Maka Etan Unzani Pi Kte; Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program”. The project is funded by the “build back better initiative” and awarded by United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. This project seeks to create new markets for local food producers, provide stability in the local food chain, provide healthier food, enhance the local economy, promote and provide a model for overall food sovereignty and sustainability.

Through this cooperative agreement with the support of the U.S., the Oglala People will work with socially disadvantaged farmers and producers in underserved communities as well as establishing working relationships to ensure harvested cultural food items can find their way into the homes of all Oglala People. Tribal members will be able to reconnect with healthier local grown and harvested foods unique to the geographical area, to include hunting and harvesting on all treaty lands, thus providing a way of sustaining families that is more aligned with the needs of the Oglala People and the Oglala way of life.

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