Last week, two of Nawapo’s executive staff were able to attend the Native American Food Fair on Capitol Hill as well as participate in a fly-in event for Tribal leaders and Native producers across the country to talk directly with members of Congress. The Native Farm Bill Coalition (NFBC) is a nationwide initiative that works to advance the policy agenda of Native American producers and Tribal governments. During the fly-in we had the opportunity to advocate for policy changes that would positively impact Indian Country, such as strengthening tribal self-governance, allowing Tribes to manage nutrition programs, investing in economic development opportunities in rural communities, and much more.
The NFBC is a joint project of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, its official research partner. Thanks to the Coalition’s research, education, and advocacy efforts at the U.S. Capitol and across the country, the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law in December 2018 with 63 separate provisions that benefit Indian Country. This was an unprecedented degree of success, and these 63 provisions impact everything from strengthening Tribal self-governance and the management of nutrition programs to investing in economic development opportunities.
We thank the Native Farm Bill Coalition for playing a crucial role in representing the interests of Native American producers and Tribal governments in the policy-making process. Through their efforts, the Coalition has successfully advocated for the inclusion of provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill that benefit Indian Country. The Coalition remains active in their advocacy work and continues to push for the recognition of Tribal self-determination authority in Congress.
For more information visit: https://www.nativefarmbill.com/
