Tribal Nations Demand Reforms to Ensure Food Sovereignty

Amid the ongoing USDA food distribution crisis, tribal nations are calling for changes to federal farm policy that they say will allow tribes to have more control over the production and quality of what the government provides. The late deliveries and shortages have left many Indigenous communities struggling to feed their people, prompting urgent calls for reform.

Empowering Tribes to Secure Their Food Future

Addressing Logistical Challenges and Delays

Susie Roy, the coordinator of the Leech Lake band of Ojibwe's food distribution program, has witnessed the devastating impact of the USDA's supply chain issues firsthand. "I've worked here for 43 years, and I've never seen shortages like this before," she laments. The food truck that should have arrived in the Leech Lake community more than a week ago finally showed up on Friday, a delay that has become all too common.The root of the problem lies in a decision by the USDA earlier this year to move from two food vendors to a single vendor. This vendor has struggled to meet the demands of the new contract, leading to late deliveries and, in some cases, no deliveries at all. In June and July, Roy's program, which typically provides up to 110 food items, could only offer four or five items to qualifying families.The USDA acknowledges the gravity of the situation, stating that it is "deeply apologetic" and working to address the logistical issues on the ground with the vendor. The agency has promised to provide direct financial assistance to help program operators and an emergency delivery contract, but tribal leaders argue that more fundamental changes are needed.

Calling for Tribal Self-Governance and Local Sourcing

At a bipartisan oversight hearing on Capitol Hill, Red Lake Nation Chairman Darrell Seki presented a comprehensive set of solutions to the ongoing food crisis. Seki called on Congress to implement a pilot program that would allow tribes to enter self-governance contracts with the USDA, enabling them to take control of the production and distribution of the food they receive."Tribes are not truly sovereign until we are food sovereign," Seki declared, emphasizing the importance of tribal nations having the autonomy to source their food locally. The Red Lake Nation, for example, operates a fishery, a bison ranch, and a large garden program, and Seki believes they are ready to enter self-governance food contracts with the USDA using these locally-sourced resources.Tribal leaders argue that such contracts would not only address the distribution problems but also create healthier, more culturally appropriate food options for their communities. Seki and others have also called for a regional sourcing model and an "automatic tracking system" to give tribes real-time information on food shipments, further empowering them to manage their own food security.

Seeking Fulfillment of Treaty-Based Obligations

The federal government has a long-standing trust obligation to provide food to tribal nations, a responsibility that dates back to historical treaties. The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, established in the 1970s, was created to fulfill this obligation, as many tribal members who qualified for SNAP (food stamps) did not live near a grocer where they could use their benefits.However, the current crisis has highlighted the shortcomings of this system. At Leech Lake, approximately 85 households rely on the federal food distribution program, with a significant portion being elderly or families with young children. Many of these participants are working families who still qualify for assistance.The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community recently stepped in to provide $3 million in emergency funding to tribes throughout the region, allowing them to purchase food as they waited for the delayed USDA shipments. Chairperson Cole Miller acknowledged that this was a temporary solution, emphasizing that the federal government must uphold its treaty-based obligation to ensure food security for Indigenous communities.As the crisis unfolds, tribal leaders are seizing the opportunity to push for lasting reforms that will empower their communities to take control of their food systems. By advocating for self-governance contracts, regional sourcing, and improved tracking systems, they are working to secure a future where tribal nations can truly achieve food sovereignty and fulfill their rightful role as stewards of the land.