Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The target audience included the Anishinaabek in four individual Michigan tribes--Bay Mills Indian Community, Hannahville Indian Community, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The term Anishinaabek signifies the Potawatomi, Odawa, and Ojibwe Nations, which are represented by the four participating Tribes, the name that they call themselves and means “Original People.” Each tribe represents individuals, staff members or employees. The project service area includes nine Michigan counties and covers over 9,000 square miles. There are approximately 10,500 American Indian residents in the proposed service area which constitutes 5.5% of the total population. Each of the tribal communities has contributed and benefited from the continued relationship building and support offered by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) FRTEP initiatives since the implementation of the program. Each tribal community faces different food system conditions and situations. This diversity of situations among the Tribes enhances the ability of the Tribes to learn from each other’s experiences. Changes/Problems: The ability to attract youth to the various food system endeavors faces many challenges. Each tribe realizes that this is a major obstacle to success. Many of the activities currently associated with the grant, such as preparing the hoop houses, watering the crops, and harvesting the crops, require youths to work during the summer months. This precludes the ability to structure the activities as part of the school schedule or even to associate the activities with organized after school activities. This has resulted in few youths participating in the process of growing the crops.The tribes differ in how well developed their approaches are to involving youth in this grant’s projects. Some of the tribes face “silo” problems; that is, the food systems advocates are organizationally separate and distinct from the youth or education departments within the tribe’s governance structure. Internal fragmentation and isolation frequently characterize the tribal approaches to food systems.The Youth Farm Stands Projects is a strategy that has the support of the tribal participants. These structured projects may provide the motivation for the youth to respond in a positive and productive way. There is a need for the MSUE personnel to be mindful of its use of language with regard to each tribe’s history and culture. For example, the phrase “federally recognized” is generally acceptable and accurate. However, one tribe uses the term “reaffirmation” to identify the nature of its status relative to the federal government. It is important for MSUE staff to understand the essential role of tribal sovereignty as an aspect of tribal history and identity. The recognition of this status by MSUE staffers can contribute to their ability to cooperatively work with tribal entities. The relationship building sessions sponsored by the grant contributed to a clarification of this issue by the frank discussions that took place. However, tribal sovereignty will continue to be an important aspect of the continuing relationship between the tribal governments and MSUE. The political, electoral system within each tribe can create difficulties for efforts to establish a more traditional food system. Tribal elections have real consequences in terms of support for initiatives regarding food system development. Within each tribe there is a need to understand the unique political dynamics that operate. With some tribes, political support is fragile and can be destroyed by the results of a council or chairperson election. However, without the support of some elected leaders, sustained programmatic initiatives within some of the tribes is doomed. Balancing these two realities, the risk of political support evaporating after an election and the need for political support, is a unique task within each tribe. The administrative staff within each tribe can be the best authorities for determining their tribe’s political atmosphere regarding the grant’s projects. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? MSU and MSU Extension provide various professional development resources for extension educators. Opportunities include a yearly gathering and monthly virtual communications on a variety of topics. The FRTEP Advisory Council includes a sharing session that is informational for all attendees. An educational component is included in each meeting on various related topics. Dan Cornelius, Inter-tribal Agriculture Council, has been readily available to provide assistance. Local Food Summits, Agriculture Conferences, and Workshops were promoted and/or attended How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Information is disseminated to all of the tribal communities through a variety of avenues. Maintaining strong relationships through the FRTEP Advisory Council has been a key component in reaching each tribal community. Email, Tribal Newspapers, County MSU Extension Offices and local newspapers have all been utilized. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
09/01/2011 to 08/31/2012 September 30, 2011: Contract with previous Tribal Extension Educator ended. October 2011 to March 2012: National search for FRTEP Educator. March 2012 to May 2012: Position offered and MSUE hiring process finalized. May 2012: Barb Smutek started as the new FRTEP Extension Educator. 2012-2014 Goal 1 - Assess the economic, ecological and cultural sustainability of tribal community food systems. Accomplishments: Worked with Dr. Richard Conboy to conduct an assessment in each tribal community that included interviews, small group discussion, and an assessment questionnaire. Tribal partners were included in the process and each of the four FRTEP tribes participated. The completed evaluation included principal findings concerning the operations of the FRTEP grant, challenges that the FRTEP grant may potentially face, and results of the food systems questionnaire. The 25 page document is accessible to all of the tribes, tribal members, and MSUE. Work will continue on disseminating the information from the evaluation and using the data for future programming initiatives. Goal 2 - Increase access to information and services offered by MSU Extension and other service providers to tribal communities. Accomplishments: A three-part relationship building series was developed to strengthen relationships between each tribe and MSUE. “Relationship Building for Better Partnerships; Anishinaabe Tribes and MSUE” cultural sharing sessions were conducted in collaboration with MSUE staff, Emily Proctor and Dionardo Pizaña. The series demonstrated the interest and commitment to working together to create sustainable partnerships by each of the participants. The relationships developed between MSUE educators and the four tribes during the Relationship Building sessions have continued to sustain and strengthen beneficial partnerships and programming. Programming examples that were the result of these newly developed partnerships include: LTBB - Enhanced elder nutrition education and joining the Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference planning committee which resulted in Winona LaDuke being chosen as a keynote speaker; Sault Tribe: Developed an intensive “Planting Lifeways” gardening program and offered fruit tree planting/education during their “Honoring Mother Earth” fair; Hannahville: Continued to develop its new thriving farmers’ market and began a container gardening initiative; Bay Mills: BMCC partnered with MSUE to host an apple tree pruning and cider making event that included Ojibwe words. The Ojibwe Charter School began using a hoop house for teaching and future food production. Goal 3 - Increase horticultural skills and capacities, including extending the growing season, within tribal members and staff. Accomplishments: With the assistance of MSU’s Center for Regional Food Systems, the tribal youth farm stand project was developed. It included two days of training for tribal partners and tribal YFSP coordinators that were hired for the summer to implement the program. The training was held to review the YFSP toolkit and additional resources were provided from MSUE and FoodCorps. The first summer LTBB and Sault Tribe sites participated. The second summer all four tribes participated. FRTEP funded LTBB, Sault Tribe, and Hannahville. BMCC was awarded a competitive First Nations grant to implement a tribal YFSP program. The tribes have named the program, “Kite ge Miijim,” or “Grown Food” Tribal Youth Farm Stand Project. All four tribes donated work space for the coordinators and a volunteer site supervisor to assist with youth recruitment and program activities. The YFSP coordinators successfully completed related training on topics such as Michigan Cottage Food Law and tribally sponsored gardening workshops. Each coordinator was instructed to consider possible future modifications the YFSP activities to incorporate the culture, language and traditions of the Native communities they are working in with the youth. Local farmers and agencies, such as the Conservation District, donated seeds, plants, and fruit trees for the youth in the YFSP program. Each of the YFSP sites learned more about local 4-H programs and the benefits of being a 4-H group. BMCC is planning on implementing a 4-H program based on YFSP next summer. In partnership with BMCC Waishkey Bay Farm, educational workshops were provided. Topics covered included honey production, organic gardening, pasture poultry and a youth farm field day. Dan Cornelius, Intertribal Agriculture Council specialist, presented a workshop at the Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference and gave a special presentation to the LTBB elected leadership. The mobile farmer’s market also visited three of the tribal communities. Goal 4 - Improve the nutrition and health of American Indians living in the project service area, and strengthen the connections between health, cultural identity and traditional diet. Accomplishments: Stakeholders from Bay Mills Indian Community (BMCC), Hannahville Indian Community, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB), and Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians met quarterly for FRTEP Advisory Council Meetings (& Intertribal Sharing) and discussed food systems, security, and sovereignty issues. These gathering resulted in the creation of the Hannahville Food System group and the Sault Tribe Food Sovereignty Collaborative. LTBB continued with regular meetings of the Agriculture Ad-hoc committee and BMCC Waishkey Bay Farm was a strong partner in further developing these relationships. Each of the tribes has used the focus of these newly established groups to seek out additional funding and educational opportunities. For example, the Sault Tribe Early Education program was selected for a Farm to School planning grant and BMCC was awarded a competitive First Nations grant to implement the Tribal Youth Farm Stand Project program.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs: A variety of meetings with MSUE staff, tribal departments, and tribal community members have taken place since the hiring of the new FRTEP Extension Educator, Barb Smutek. Progress on each of the four goals has started with relationship building in the four unique tribal communities: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Sault Tribe), Bay Mills Indian Community & Bay Mills Community College (BMCC), Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (LTTB), and Hannahville Indian Community (HIC). The Sault Tribe currently has two successful grant programs with thriving committees: the Traditional Foods Program being implemented by Connie Watson and the Community Transformation Project being implemented by Donna Norkoli. These programs will both be actively involved in the formation of the FRTEP Advisory board and any assessments that will take place in Sault Tribe communities. Other programs involved include the Sault Tribe Environmental Division and the Sault Tribe Youth Education & Activities (YEA) program. Ms. Smutek recently volunteered a few hours to assist the Environmental Division staff construct a large hoop house funded through a separate grant. The YEA program is on board to begin planning the Youth Farm Stand (YFS) curriculum training sessions. The Waishkey Bay Farm and BMCC have been instrumental in aiding Ms. Smutek with planning and relationship building for successful completion of FRTEP goals and objectives. Two key staff, Steve Yanni and Cassandra Munz, both agreed to attend the upcoming FRTEP Advisory Committee and Inter-Tribal Sharing Session in October 2012. Also, Ms. Smutek has been invited to schedule a presentation during a council meeting for the Bay Mills Indian Community elected leadership to seek input and support for the FRTEP project. Two meetings titled, "Tribal Community Food Systems (What does that mean to us): The Journey & Planning for the Future" were held in HIC and LTBB with representatives from multiple tribal divisions and community members. LTBB elected leadership is committed to creating an ad hoc committee to focus on food system efforts. Ms. Smutek has been invited to schedule a presentation for the HIC elected leaders during a council meeting to provide some additional information on FRTEP. Strong relationships are being built and both tribes have committed to sending representatives to the FRTEP Advisory Board meeting. Additionally, Ms. Smutek has spent time exploring resources that have proved helpful for both the FRTEP program and the four tribal communities. An educational trip to Oneida Nation was taken to tour and meet the Project Director of the Tsyunhehkw ("Life Sustenance") Agricultural Community Program. Also, many MSUE/MSUE programs have been explored such as: Center for Regional Food Systems, Native American Institute, GMI Community Food Systems Workgroup, Community and Natural Resources Development Association, and the Upper Peninsula Research Center. Planning for the 2013 "Relationship Building for Better Partnerships; Anishinaabe Tribes and MSUE" cultural sharing sessions have also begun in collaboration with MSUE staff, Emily Proctor and Dionardo Pizana. PARTICIPANTS: Participants: Tom Coon, State Adminstrator Rick Foster, Principal Investigator and Director, Greening Michigan Institute Dave Ivan, Associate Director, Greening Michigan Institute Gordon Henry, Director, Native American Inter-tribal council, MSU Steve Yanni, Bay Mills Community College Rich Pirog, Center for Regional Food Systems Anne Scott, Center for Regional Food Systems Dionardo Pizana, Office of Diversity and Pluralism Emily Proctor, MSU Extension Educator Barb Smutek, MSU Extension Educator MSUE County Staff in Chippewa, Mackinac, Delta, and Emmett Counties Bay Mills Community College Bay Mills Waishkey Bay Farm Bay Mills Indian Community Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Sault Tribe Environmental Department Sault Tribe Youth Education & Activities Program Sault Tribe Community Health Sault Tribe Food Council, Sault Tribe Building a Healthier Community, and Sault Tribe Healthy Traditions Advisory Council EUP Food Hub Steering Committee Little Traverse Bay Band (LTTB) Tribal Government LTTB Natural Resources Department LTTB Land Use Committee & Ad Hoc Food Systems Committee LTTB Elders Program LTTB USDA Food Distribution Program LTTB Community Health Hannahville Indian Community Health Department Hannahville Cultural Heritage Center Hannahville Youth Services Program Hannahville Diabetes Support Group Hannahville Elders Program TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences: Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians The Sault Tribe had two successful grant programs: the Traditional Foods Program and the Community Transformation Project. Other programs involved the Sault Tribe Environmental Division and the Sault Tribe Youth Education & Activities (YEA) program. The Environmental Division staff constructed a large hoop house funded through a separate grant. The YEA program is on board to begin planning the Youth Farm Stand (YFS) curriculum training sessions through the Center for Regional Food Systems and the Greening Michigan Institute. The Sault Tribe plans to improve internal communication efforts to improve food systems work. They will host the first FRTEP Advisory Committee & Inter-Tribal Sharing Session and Connie Watson will being giving the first informational presentation on her program, the Traditional Foods Program. It will be an excellent example of collaborative efforts between MSUE and the tribe as a result of FRTEP. Bay Mills Indian Community & Bay Mills Community College The Waishkey Bay Farm and BMCC have been instrumental in planning and relationship building for successful completion of FRTEP goals and objectives. Steve Yanni and Cassandra Munz will attend the upcoming FRTEP Advisory Committee and Inter-Tribal Sharing Session in October 2012. A leadership development presentation during a council meeting for the Bay Mills Indian Community elected leadership will seek input and support for the FRTEP project. Bay Mills has displayed significant efforts and successful programming, with assistance from FRTEP, in starting to build a strong food system. Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Hannahville Indian Community (HIC). Two meetings titled, "Tribal Community Food Systems (What does that mean to us): The Journey & Planning for the Future" were held in HIC and LTBB with representatives from multiple tribal divisions and community members. LTBB elected leadership is committed to creating an ad hoc committee to focus on food system efforts. Ms. Smutek has been invited to schedule a presentation for the HIC elected leaders during a council meeting to provide some additional information on FRTEP. Strong relationships are being built and both tribes have committed to sending representatives to the FRTEP Advisory Board meeting. At the Hannahville Indian Community (HIC), there has been initial inquiry on traditional bartering programs primarily using venison that has led to the possibility of future food system programming. The Oneida Tsyunhehkw Program was able to provide some insight on bartering programs and future discussions are planned. Also, the Hannahville Diabetes Support Program staff is planning canning and preservation classes for this fall. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Upon meeting with the four tribal communities, some project modifications are being requested: Allow each of the tribal communities to decide if they need to conduct a baseline assessment and the process that will be used to complete it, since they will be the owners of the data. Some tribes may already have some of this data. For example, the Sault Tribe may have some data and is willing to share it with MSUE to determine what assessment would be the best fit to complete its current data set for creating a baseline for enhancing tribal community food systems. Gordon Henry, MSU Native American Institute, has volunteered a graduate student to assist with this effort. Modify the target audience of six tribes for the "Relationship Building for Better Partnerships; Anishinaabe Tribes and MSUE" cultural sharing session to the four tribes included in the FRTEP proposal. Additional opportunities for relationship building between tribes and MSUE are being developed with Dionardo Pizana to enhance the possible impact of the cultural sharing sessions. The series format will remain the same, with one tribe per quarter, throughout 2013. Traditional Native American practices, such as talking circles will be used in place of the MSUE 4H FolkPatterns Program. Designing a horticulture program modeled after the Master Gardener classes will have to be modified because it does not fit with the current FRTEP Extension Educator's skill set. Additional programming or similar programs are being researched to provide a suitable replacement. Also, input from the tribes is being sought to gain their interest on educational topics surrounding food systems. Since the FRTEP Extension Educator was not hired until seven months into the program, there need to be modifications to the timeline of activities and the budget. These items will be modified through conversations with the four tribes, MSUE, and the USDA.
Impacts
Trust is being built in each tribal community starting with tribal programs, elected leaders, and community leaders. Ms. Smutek, as a member of the Sault Tribe and former employee of the Sault Tribe Education Division, has been able to utilize some past contacts and current tribal relationships to make important connections within each community on behalf of FRTEP. Relationship building is vital in Native communities and can be a complex process. Fortunately, Ms. Smutek has also had the opportunity to partner with another Extension Educator, Emily Proctor, who also works with Native communities utilizing the "Building Strong Sovereign Nation" program. The Sault Tribe, as a result of discussing FRTEP goals, plans to increase its internal communication efforts to improve food systems work. With a large seven-county service area, this has been a constant challenge for them. The first FRTEP Advisory Committee & Inter-Tribal Sharing Session is being hosted by the Sault Tribe and Connie Watson will being giving the first informational presentation on her program, the Traditional Foods Program. It will be an excellent example of collaborative efforts between MSUE and the tribe as a result of FRTEP. The relationship building in Hannahville Indian Community (HIC) has already contributed to benefits for the tribe and MSUE. An initial inquiry on traditional bartering programs primarily using venison, by the Cultural Heritage Center Director, has led to some exciting discussions and possible future programming. The Oneida Tsyunhehkw Program was able to provide some insight on bartering programs and future discussions are planned. Also, as a result of the "Tribal Community Food Systems" meeting, the Hannahville Diabetes Support Program staff renewed their contact with Julie Moberg, with the Delta County MSUE office, and planned some canning and preservation classes for this coming fall. Recently, the Hannahville Director of Community Development, Dave Anthony, participated in a stakeholder meeting at the MSU Upper Peninsula Research Center and appreciated the opportunity to provide input on behalf of the tribe. The Little Traverse Bay Band (LTTB) and Bay Mills Waishkey Bay Farm have shared many of their current plans and resources with Ms. Smutek and they are the driving force behind the Inter-tribal Sharing Meeting being planned, to complement the FRTEP Advisory Committee. Each of the tribes has strengths and weaknesses in regards to building and developing community food systems. Building and increasing capacity to utilize all resources, from each other and MSUE, will only strengthen their individual efforts. LTBB and Bay Mills have both displayed significant efforts and successful programming, with assistance from FRTEP, in starting to build a strong food system. They are committed to the success of FRTEP goals in their communities and with other Native tribes.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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