Native Food Sovereignty
NAFSA – The Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance – supports Native communities nationally with advocacy, education, and networking as they revitalize their indigenous food systems.
OUR PROGRAMS
Seeds, stories, good food and more! Discover how you can join our movement.
OUR STORIES
Hear the voices of hope and resilience across Turtle Island.
DONATE TODAY
Your contribution supports our efforts to restore traditional Indigenous foodways.
Welcome to the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance (NAFSA)
About NAFSA
We are an organization dedicated to restoring the food systems that support Indigenous self-determination, wellness, cultures, values, communities, economies, languages, and families while rebuilding relationships with the land, water, plants, and animals that sustain us.
Through our efforts and programs, we bring stakeholders and communities together to advocate and support best practices and policies that enhance dynamic Native food systems, sustainable economic development, education, trade routes, stewardship, and multi-generational empowerment.
We work to put the farmers, wild-crafters, fishers, hunters, ranchers, and eaters at the center of decision-making on policies, strategies and natural resource management.
Our Story
NAFSA was an idea which incubated during a Taos County Economic Development Corporation grant from Oxfam America in 2005. Through this grant, the funder was interested in bringing together grassroots Native food activists over an extended period of time to see a greater impact on Native food systems.
During these convenings, participants from 13 tribes came together to share their knowledge and skills in agriculture, seed saving and foods. These activities resulted in the first attempted seed sovereignty declaration and a completed Food Sovereignty Declaration with a Call to Action.
Seeds are Life
Seeds are a vibrant and vital foundation for food sovereignty, and are the basis for a sustainable, healthy agriculture. We understand that seeds are our precious collective inheritance and it is our responsibility to care for the seeds as part of our responsibility to feed and nourish ourselves and future generations. As a national network, we leverage resources and cultivate solidarity and communication within the matrix of regional grass-roots tribal seed sovereignty projects.
Our Work
Learn more about our projects and programs.
Indigenous Seedkeeper Network
ISKN’s mission is to nourish and assist the growing Seed Sovereignty Movement across Turtle Island ( North America). As a national network, we leverage resources and cultivate solidarity and communication within the matrix of regional grass-roots tribal seed sovereignty projects.
Food and Culinary Mentorship Program
NAFSA’s Food and Culinary Mentorship Program assists Indigenous Peoples and communities in reconnecting with their traditional diets and lifeways for the wellbeing and health of their communities.
Native Food Sovereignty Events
Native Food Sovereignty events provide the opportunity for Indigenous communities to gather in solidarity around a common mission to restore tribal foodways and trade routes. They bring an incredible infusion of power and inspiration to an already thriving local and regional movement for food sovereignty.
How You Can Help:
Your gift to Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance (NAFSA) benefits and supports Native communities’ food sovereignty and food security efforts and projects.
Give Online
Make a tax-deductible online gift today to help us restore, support, and develop Indigenous Food Systems.
Give Monthly
By making a monthly donation, you are helping us plan ahead to secure food, health, and Native traditions for future generations.
Give by Mail
Prefer to send a check? Click here for a printable donation form.
Give Time
No matter your financial circumstances or charitable goals, there are many options to volunteer with NAFSA and help us reach our goals.
Recent News
Welcoming NAFSA’s new Executive Director, Lilian Hill!
It has been a conscious and exciting effort to open two leadership positions to our community, and we are thrilled to announce the selection of a new Executive Director to lead NAFSA.
Entering a Time of New Growth and Renewal
At NAFSA, when a person leaves their position, we like to say that they’re simply moving to another place in the circle. This example of circular, adaptive leadership is modeled for us by our geese relatives, who we observe practicing shared guidance in the direction of their flocks.
Celebrating Resilience: NAFSA’s First Virtual Indigenous Agro-Biodiversity Fair
There is not a continent on Earth that is untouched by the beautiful creative innovative foods and seeds that have evolved under the mutually beneficial care of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. These times of great transition and transformation are a wonderful moment to celebrate them.