Maria Givens publishes piece on working with Tribal Communities

TPS partner Maria Givens publishes piece for Community Wealth Partners called “Interested in working with Tribal communities? Consider these 6 things first.”

An excerpt is below.

“Native Americans have been living on Turtle Island, what we now call the United States, for thousands of years and have been maintaining thriving food systems for just as long. Today, we find Native people on reservations and in urban areas revitalizing these food systems after centuries of oppression and injustice. In the face of a pandemic, long lasting impacts of colonization and other challenges, Indigenous communities are moving their food systems forward in new and exciting ways.

While many well-intentioned non-Native organizations seek partnerships with Tribal Governments, Native organizations, and Indigenous individuals to bolster food and nutrition efforts, these requests can overwhelm or place undue burdens on Native people. Many Tribal organizations are flooded with requests or don’t have the bandwidth to educate interested parties while also serving the need of their communities. Some non-Native organizations start partnerships without a respectful cultural competency that sets things off on the wrong foot.

To avoid these common mistakes, we recommend following these guideposts for engaging with Tribal Governments, organizations, and individuals. Following these guideposts will ensure that you respect Indigenous peoples’ time and bandwidth while also starting off on a good foot. These simple steps will allow for meaningful, long-lasting relationships that are mutually beneficial for uplifting the needs of Indian Country. Focusing on supporting Indigenous-led efforts can make sure that everyone can thrive. “