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- By Native News Online Staff
Friday, November 24, 2023 has been designated as Native American Heritage Day. In recognition of the Native American Heritage Month, the Intertribal Agriculture Council released the following statement:
Today, Native agricultural producers are at the forefront of connecting culture to innovation and sustainability. Whether it's reinvigorating food economies, stewarding ancestral lands, or integrating regenerative practices, American Indian and Alaska Native communities are transforming the future of agriculture. These contributions extend beyond farms and ranches to influence policy change that builds the Native food connection.
Across our work nationwide, the Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) celebrates the tenacity of 574+ Tribes in their efforts to reclaim agricultural heritage and preserve traditional ecological knowledge. IAC brings together individuals, farmers, ranchers, fishers, foresters, producers, and gatherers to build resilient food systems in Indian Country. In the past year, IAC addressed the need for service expansion by adding Interregional Manager positions for the Technical Assistance Network, Business Development Specialists for the American Indian Foods program, and two new positions for the Regenerative Economies program. We are committed to improving community food systems through its diverse program offerings in support of Native producers' current challenges and future opportunities.
On Native American Heritage Day, we honor the contributions of Native people for stewarding the land, taking care of their communities, and protecting the vital natural resources connected to our cultural practices. We give thanks to the Native wisdom and prevailing spirit that is creating collaborative partnerships, community-driven solutions, and rematriation of culture and food systems across Indian Country.
Help us ensure that the celebration of Native Heritage never stops by donating here.
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At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
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The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
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Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
