Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

First Nations Development Institute Participates in White House Rural Roundtable

LONGMONT, Colorado – July 19, 2012 – Jackie Francke, a senior program officer at First Nations Development Institute in Longmont, Colorado (First Nations), today participated in the Southwest Tribal Rural Council Roundtable hosted by The White House Rural Council and the Southern Ute Tribe. The meeting involved representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and numerous tribal leaders and organizations.

Francke, a member of the Navajo Nation, participated in discussions about strategies for advancing farming and ranching in Indian Country based on First Nations’ various projects and approaches. Since 2000, First Nations has conducted its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI) to help tribes and Native communities strengthen food systems in their communities as an avenue toward economic development, improved health and nutrition, and stronger food security. First Nations increases the control over Native agriculture and food systems by providing financial and technical support, including training materials, to projects that address the agriculture and food sectors in Native communities.

President Obama signed an executive order in 2011 establishing The White House Rural Council, the first of its kind, to create a focus on policy initiatives for rural Americans, including actions to better coordinate and streamline federal program efforts. The council’s roundtable discussion was part of a continuing dialogue on how USDA can better serve tribal communities.

Today’s meeting took place at the Sky Ute Casino & Resort in Ignacio, Colorado.

About First Nations Development Institute

For more than 30 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change and capitalizing Native communities, First Nations Development Institute is dedicated to strengthening Native American economies. First Nations serves rural and reservation-based Native communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.firstnations.org.

 

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