First Nations Releases Two New Native Agriculture & Food Systems Resources

LONGMONT, Colorado (Dec. 16, 2014) – First Nations Development Institute (*First Nations* [ http://www.firstnations.org ]) today released two new publications that will prove valuable to Native American farmers, ranchers, food processors, kitchen managers, community organizers and tribal policymakers.

The publications are free and available for download from First Nations' Knowledge Center at this link:* http://www.firstnations.org/knowledge-center/foods-health [ http://firstnations.org/knowledge-center/foods-health ]* ("Note: you may have to create a free account to download the reports if you don't already have one.")

The reports, which were generously underwritten by the *W.K. Kellogg Foundation* [ http://www.wkkf.org ] through funding to First Nations, are:

* *"Conducting Food Sovereignty Assessments in Native Communities: On-the-Ground Perspectives"* by a collaboration that includes Vena A-dae Romero of the Cochiti Youth Experience project (Cochiti/Kiowa); Dana Eldridge of the Diné Policy Institute (Navajo); Vicky Karhu of the Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative; and First Nations.

* *"The Power of the Tribal Dollar: Highlighting the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project's Food-Purchasing Program"* by Valerie Segrest of the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project (Muckleshoot).

In 2004, First Nations released its Food Sovereignty Assessment Tool (FSAT) as a community tool to help demystify the process of food-related data collection in Native communities. "Conducting Food Sovereignty Assessments in Native Communities: On-the-Ground Perspectives" builds on the FSAT as a collection of essays from individuals who have undertaken food assessments in their local Native communities. The publication provides lessons learned, challenges and examples of tools and strategies for conducting food assessments from practitioners who have been through the rigorous and rewarding assessment process.

"The Power of the Tribal Dollar: Highlighting the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project's Food-Purchasing Program" details how the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe in Auburn, Washington, through a collective purchasing program, has begun to realize significant savings in its food costs (which benefits the entire tribal community), while also giving the tribe more purchasing power that influences vendors to provide healthier and more culturally-appropriate foods. This publication highlights the significant role that tribal dollars play in local economies, and strategies to maximize those dollars.

First Nations, through its Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI), has become the largest funder in Indian Country of tribal agriculture and food-system projects specifically geared toward establishing or reclaiming control of Native food systems, for purposes of improved nutrition and health, for asset control, and for broader tribal economic development. First Nations offers these new publications and many others in order to expand the knowledge of Native leaders, farmers, ranchers, gardeners and others involved in the food chain.

*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, visit *www.firstnations.org* [ http://www.firstnations.org ].