Indigenous Food Sovereignty Research Paper

Words: 1188
Pages: 5

Reclaiming Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Saving Your Appetite for a Bite of Healthy Note: The use of Indigenous/ Native people, Natives, Native Americans, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) is used interchangeably in this essay. Many people in indigenous communities find themselves being exposed to “new” chronic health problems that require health care that most do not have access to because of the cheap food the government gives them, in which they do not consider nutrition or the healthiness of commodities. By taking pride in food sovereignty and cultural identity, it promotes the traditional foodways and lifestyles where Native Americans become empowered through social events and activities including festivals, feasts, and powwows …show more content…
While foodways refers to cooking and eating practices, food sovereignty, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is described as communities’ ability to “determine the quantity and quality of the food that they consume by controlling how their food is produced and distributed” (“Why Food Sovereignty Matters”). The U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance has a similar definition where food sovereignty refers to the people’s right to culturally appropriate and healthy foods and to determine their own food and agriculture systems (“Food Sovereignty”). The USFSA also states how food sovereignty goes beyond and allows for people to build relationships with the land that provides them with food resources, as well as the people who provide or eat the …show more content…
Additionally, it is also a reason why they buy foods that are cheap with longer shelf life instead of routinely buying fresh foods with more nutritional value (“How Hunger Affects”). Another reason for stocking up is that the drive to a grocery store is far, and many do not have access to a vehicle to get there (Maillacheruvu 5, 16). Accordingly, not having access to food due to it not being accessible, or delivered rations being late or damaged, caused a new food habit within Native American communities: overeating. Using strategies such as community voices, empowerment of traditional foodways, and the reduction of food insecurity, Native identity empowerment through food are viable in practicing solutions for this problem. Leading to the individuals to more likely practice healthier, traditional fares and food habits as they will recover their cultural identity. Additionally, you can also bring more awareness to those who are part of the non-Indigenous communities around reservations so that they can also live a quality life both in physical health and in