FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contact
September
1, 2015 Sara
Thatcher
952-221-5368
SMSC and MAZON partner with
University of Arkansas School of Law
on first-of-its-kind project to develop model tribal food codes
Project part of the tribe’s national Seeds of
Native Health
campaign to improve Native American nutrition
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. –
A landmark project to enhance tribal food sovereignty was unveiled today as the
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) and MAZON: A Jewish Response to
Hunger announce their collaboration with the University of Arkansas School of
Law as part of the tribe’s Seeds of Native Health initiative.
Due to a long history of
limited access to nutritious food, Native Americans suffer with obesity,
diabetes, and other nutritional health problems at disproportionate rates
compared to other ethnic groups. In an effort to create and sustain lasting
policies and programs that will overcome these challenges, the Indigenous
Food and Agriculture Initiative
at the School of Law will lead the development of a long-needed, comprehensive
set of model food and agriculture codes to be customized and adopted by tribal
nations.
Food
and agriculture law is comprehensive and can be complex. This project will
provide the legal and policy foundation for the development of resilient and
sustainable food and agriculture systems and vibrant economies in Indian
Country.
“Food sovereignty is a central
component to build a culture of dietary health for Native Americans,” SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig said. “We are thrilled by this
opportunity to work with the University of Arkansas and MAZON to empower Native
nations to reclaim their own food policies.”
The project will be led by Janie
Simms Hipp, director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative and
former U.S. Department of Agriculture senior adviser for tribal relations. Hipp
founded the USDA’s Office of
Tribal Relations, was a National Program Leader at the USDA’s National
Institute for Food and Agriculture, and served two terms on the USDA
Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.
The Indigenous Food and
Agriculture Initiative was created by Dean Stacy Leeds at the University of
Arkansas School of Law – the first female and only current American Indian law
school dean – and focuses on multi-disciplinary research, service, and
education opportunities that directly support the Native American community.
“Food and
agriculture codes will be an invaluable guide for tribal leaders as they work
to improve the health of their people,” added Dean Stacy Leeds. “The Indigenous
Food and Agriculture Initiative is proud to partner with the SMSC and MAZON.”
“This unprecedented
coalition is a meaningful and innovative approach to a systemic problem that
should be a national outrage,” said Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of
MAZON. “MAZON is proud to bring its 30 years of anti-hunger advocacy experience
to this remarkable project and to support the SMSC’s Seeds of Native Health campaign
and the University of Arkansas to create a long overdue legal framework which
will make a real difference in the response to hunger among tribal nations.”
The University of Arkansas School
of Law and MAZON are the latest strategic partners in the Seeds of Native
Health philanthropic campaign to improve Native American nutrition across the
country. Previously announced strategic partners include the First Nations
Development Institute, Notah Begay III Foundation, the University of Minnesota,
and the American Heart Association.
About the Shakopee
Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux
Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest
of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward
of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to charitable donations,
community partnerships, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. Having
donated more than $325 million since opening its Gaming Enterprise in the
1990s, as well as providing more than $500 million in economic development
loans to other tribes, the SMSC is the largest philanthropic benefactor for
Indian Country nationally and one of the largest charitable givers in
Minnesota. Seeds of Native Health, a campaign to improve the nutrition of
Native Americans, was launched in March 2015 with a $5 million contribution
from the SMSC.
About MAZON: A Jewish
Response to Hunger
Founded in 1985, MAZON: A
Jewish Response to Hunger is a national nonprofit organization working to end
hunger in the United States and Israel. Through its three interrelated
strategies – advocacy and education, partnership grant making and strategic
initiatives – MAZON is acting to ensure that hungry people have access to the
nutritious food they need today and working to develop and advance long-term
solutions so that no one goes hungry tomorrow.
MAZON’s Rural and Remote Initiative is committed
to addressing the specific and unique needs of rural, remote, and Native
American communities struggling with food insecurity. Partnering with
community-based organizations to maximize their impact, and developing
long-term solutions with policy makers and advocates at the state and federal
level, MAZON will continue to seek solutions to alleviate hunger and increase
access to healthy, affordable food in rural, remote, and Native American
communities.
About the University of Arkansas School of Law
Established in 1924, the University
of Arkansas School of Law ranked first in the U.S. in National Jurist
magazine’s Top 20 Values in legal education and among U.S. News and World Report‘s
top 36 public law schools. It is home to the nation’s oldest LL.M in
agricultural law program.
About the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative
Established
in 2013, the University of Arkansas School of Law Indigenous Food and
Agriculture Initiative is the first
of its kind nationally, focusing on enhancing food, agriculture, health and
wellness, and business and economic development; youth and professional
education in food and agriculture; strategic planning and technical assistance,
research and publications in the areas of health, nutrition policy, traditional
knowledge; financial markets and asset management; and tribal governance, law
and policy.
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For more information, contact Sara Thatcher.
