Flagstaff, Arizona — August 5, 2024 — Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Indigenous Seed Keepers Stipends. A total of 45 outstanding individuals from 36 different tribes have been awarded $2,000 each to support their efforts in preserving and cultivating traditional seeds within their communities. These stipends were made possible by the radical generosity of Ceres Trust.
Aaron Lowden, ISKN Southwest Program Coordinator said, “These Seed Growers Stipends provide support to individual grassroots growers doing amazing work committing to propagating their culturally significant seed that are bio-regionally adapted to their specific climate, moisture, and agroecological growing methods.”
A total of $90,000 dollars have been awarded to participants across the country; 30 stipends have been awarded to participants within our regional networks, while the remaining 15 stipends have been allocated to applicants outside of our networks. This diverse group of individuals exemplifies the strength and resilience of Indigenous agricultural traditions. We are pleased to recognize the following recipients for their exceptional dedication and contributions:
ISKN Southwest Region Members
- Evangeline Nanez, Acoma Pueblo
- Dulce Ramirez, Otomi
- Aaron Simonson, Dine’ (Navajo)
- LaShon Cate, San Felipe Pueblo
- Felix Earle, Dine’ (Navajo)
- Amson Collins, Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
- Irvina Chee, Dine’ (Navajo)
- Jaiden Willeto, Dine’ (Navajo) Mandan, and Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation
- Chasity L Salvador, Acoma Pueblo
- Brian Monongye, Hopi
- Nolan Valdo, Pueblo of Acoma
- Bryce Townsend, San Felipe Pueblo / Ohkay Owingeh
- Tyler Scott, Hopi/ Dine’ (Navajo)
- Darrell Yazzie Jr, Dine’ (Navajo)
- Roxanne Swentzell, Santa Clara Pueblo
ISKN Upper Midwest Region Members
- Hinu Smith, Ho-Chunk Nation
- Kristine Piasecki, Couchiching First Nation
- Tori Smith, Bay Mills
- Ramona Morrow, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe
- Jessika Greendeer, Ho-Chunk Nation
- Debra Fabian, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
- Mark Mcconnell, Fond Du Lac Band Lake Superior Chippewa
- Renita Diehlman, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
- Anthony Barela, Piro-Manso-Tiwa Tribe of Guadalupe Pueblo
- Lucille Grignon, Enrolled Stockbridge Munsee, Direct Descendant of Menominee
- Kaitlyn Walsh, Anishinaabe, Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Direct Descendant
- Della No Heart, Standing Rock
- Phillip Savage, Fond Du Lac Band Lake Superior Chippewa
- Laura Manthe, Oneida Nation
- Rebecca Webster, Oneida Nation
Open National Recipients
- Danielle Vazquez, Chippewa Cree, Shoshone Bannock
- Greg Drowningbear, Cherokee
- John Dugan, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Tami Buffalohead, Ponca Tribe of OK
- Annie Piekkola, Sičangu Lakhóta
- Teri Jackson, Dine’ (Navajo)
- Maria Garcia, Dine’ (Navajo)
- Bonnie Secakuku, Hopi
- LeAnn Foster, Klamath Modoc Paiute
- Seraphine Yazzie, Dine’ (Navajo)
- Casey Grippando, Creek, Pawnee Nation College
- Lloyd Elm, Comanche & Onondaga
- Sunny Boado, Kiikaapoa
- Courtney Storms, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
- Samantha Azure, Assiniboine & Sioux of Fort Peck
This initiative is part of NAFSA’s ongoing commitment to empower Indigenous Seed Keepers and growers, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and the preservation of Indigenous food sovereignty. “Seeds selected and saved since time immemorial have unique phenotypes, growth durations, germination patterns, flavor profiles and resilience to local growing conditions. Growing and stewarding these seeds takes an enormous amount of love, care, patience, knowledge and commitment,” said Aaron Lowden.
“We are thrilled to support these incredible seed keepers and growers,” said Ted A. Wright, Executive Director at Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance. “Their work is vital to the preservation of our cultural heritage and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. These stipends will help them continue their important work.”
NAFSA has taken strides in being a facilitator of resources to grassroots efforts across the country. “Seed keeping is a very underfunded sector in food sovereignty work and everyone doing this important work is oftentimes doing it with little financial support. I am proud to be a part of a program providing support to Indigenous Seed Keepers by resourcing them to continue their vital work,” added Aaron Lowden.
Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance is dedicated to restoring Indigenous food systems that support health, economy, and self-determination among tribal communities. NAFSA’s vision is to build vibrant food systems through education, advocacy, and the promotion of food sovereignty.
Ceres Trust’s vision holds ecosystems as sacred and foundational to all life. Ceres Trust also knows that right relationship between humans and the earth, and between one another as people, are tantamount to our ability to survive and flourish.
If you are an Indigenous seed keeper building Indigenous seed access, and increasing seed literacy for Tribal communities, and would like to join our Regional Networks, please reach out to Aaron Lowden at aaron@nativefoodalliance.org, or Kaitlyn Walsh at kaitlyn@nativefoodalliance.org.
For more information about Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, please visit www.nativefoodalliance.org or contact Marian K. Bitsui, Director of Communications at marian@nativefoodalliance.org or (928) 224-2958.
