Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

First Nations Development Institute & AARP Foundation Publish Project Report on Programs Supporting Senior Health & Wellness

LONGMONT, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. (May 27, 2014) – First Nations Development Institute (*First Nations* [ http://firstnations.org/ ]) in Longmont and* AARP Foundation* [ http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/ ] in Washington today jointly released a new report that details the successes of and lessons learned from a project aimed at improving the availability, security and quality of food for rural and reservation-based Native American seniors and elders. The report is the culmination of a First Nations project that was funded in 2012 by AARP Foundation and which ended during 2013.

A PDF of the report, titled "Reclaiming Native Food Systems Part II: Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation for Supporting Senior Health and Wellness," is available for free at this link: *http://firstnations.org/knowledge-center/foods-health* [ http://firstnations.org/knowledge-center/foods-health ]. (You may have to create a free account to download the report.) The report features the four grantee organizations that received funds to launch projects that addressed senior hunger in their communities. The organizations were the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, the Pueblo of Nambe and Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico, and the Sipaulovi Development Corporation (Hopi) in Arizona. Together, these four organizations have planted, harvested and donated more than a half-ton of fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to senior citizens in their tribal communities. Additionally, the Ponca Tribe bred, processed and distributed more than 2,000 pounds of chemical-free pork to help improve the health and well-being of its tribal elders.

In 2012, AARP Foundation provided First Nations with a $187,660 grant to start the Native American Food Security project as part of First Nations' existing Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative. After conducting a proposal-submission process, the four projects were chosen and each received grants of $25,000 along with technical assistance and training from First Nations. Based on the success of the initial program, AARP Foundation recently awarded First Nations an additional $250,000 grant to expand the Native American Food Security project. Grantees under the 2014 project were announced last week and a press release about them can be found here: *http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5855/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1293455* [ http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5855/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1293455 ].

The Native American Food Security project assists Native American tribes or organizations working to eliminate food insecurity among senior populations. Statistics document that Native Americans continue to experience high rates of poverty, contributing to significant food insecurity in many Native American communities. According to the most recent American Community Survey, about 26% of American Indians live at or below the poverty line. The same survey indicates that roughly 12% of all Native Americans living in poverty are age 55 and older. Other studies conducted by the National Resource Center on Native American Aging note that Native American seniors suffer from higher rates of obesity, diabetes and other negative health indicators when compared to other senior groups in the United States.

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About AARP Foundation*

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at *www.aarpfoundation.org* [ http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/ ].

*About First Nations Development Institute*

For 34 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage, or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information about First Nations, visit *www.firstnations.org* [ http://firstnations.org/ ].

 

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