The challenge
Indigenous people have a long history of growing nourishing, sustainable foods. The seizing of Indigenous lands in the United States over the course of several centuries disrupted Indigenous communities’ knowledge and cultivation of culturally specific foods and food systems. Adding to this injury, many Indigenous children now live in remote regions with limited access to fresh foods. These conditions have contributed to increased risks for a variety of chronic diseases, including obesity and Type 2 diabetes, for Indigenous adolescents.
Food insecure households
> 1 in 4American Indian Alaska Native households with children¹
Total foundation giving
0.4%goes to Native American communities and causes²
Native Americans living near grocery store
48%reported living >10 miles from the nearest grocery store³
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The opportunity
Indigenous people have long been working to reclaim their traditional food practices and systems. This effort invests in Indigenous children to learning about, growing, gathering, and cooking Native foods. Such work is key for increased physical, mental, emotional,and spiritual well-being, and for supporting Indigenous children’s ability to thrive and reach their full potential.
We are creating new pathways to support food justice for Indigenous children by:
- Investing in the rematriation of traditional, nutritious, and affordable foods;
- Shifting control and stewardship of food resources to Indigenous communities to benefit children; and
- Supporting the ability of Indigenous children to respond to their needs for healthy, culturally relevant Indigenous foods
Dollars granted in 2024
$2.7M
to 39 grantee partners
Increase in funding 2024 vs. 2023
+68%
Meet our grantee partners
Grantee Partners
Photo courtesy of California Indian Museum.
Cheyenne River Youth Project
Educating youth about Native Food Sovereignty
Photo courtesy of Cheyenne River Youth Project.
Cheyenne River Youth Project
The Cheyenne River Youth Project is dedicated to providing the young people on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation with the resources and opportunities they need to build a future in which they will do more than survive—they will thrive. A critical part of its programming is Native Food Sovereignty, which includes the 2.5-acre Winyan Toka Win (Leading Lady) Garden, Native Food Sovereignty Teen Internships, and Garden Club for 4- to 12-year-olds.
Photo courtesy of Cheyenne River Youth Project.
Chickahominy Indian Tribe
Strengthening Indigenous Food Heritage Through Summer Camps
Photo courtesy of Chickahominy Indian Tribe.
Chickahominy Indian Tribe
The Chickahominy Indian Tribe’s mission is to serve its citizens by creating a respectful path to lasting well-being and connection that honors the past, sustains the present, and inspires the future, to preserve and protect the resources that Creator has entrusted to them, and to strengthen government-to-government relationships by exercising Tribal sovereignty in a responsible, deliberate, and sustainable manner. As part of its programming, Tribal Youth will learn to assemble, create, and maintain raised garden beds on Tribal property. This activity will instill knowledge about traditional foods and cultivation techniques.
Photo courtesy of Chickahominy Indian Tribe.
Dream of Wild Health
Indigenous Kids Reclaiming Sovereignty in the Twin Cities
Photo courtesy of Dream of Wild Health.
Dream of Wild Health
The mission of Dream of Wild Health is to restore health and well-being in the Native community by recovering knowledge of and access to healthy Indigenous foods, medicines, and lifeways. To achieve this vision, staff work to build community, share Indigenous traditional knowledge, teach about and advocate for food sovereignty, host workshops and community events, and support community partner organizations, schools, and Tribal communities.
Photo courtesy of Dream of Wild Health.
Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike
Cultivating Hawaiian Heritage through Food and Land
Photo courtesy of Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike.
Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike
Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike’s mission is to provide Hāna’s youth with a way to learn that makes sense to them, builds their self-esteem, and shows them they have the power to shape their future. Its methodology consists of a service-oriented education continuum, which provides meaningful work-based learning opportunities that strengthen environmental stewardship, intergenerational relationships, and technical skills, while creating a pathway for youth to learn, grow, teach, and inspire the next generation.
2024 impact:
- 96% of participating youth reported stronger connections to Hawaiian values
- 100% of the youth reported an increase in their cultural farming and culinary skills
- $2M awarded from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving in 2024
“I learned about working hard and working with my hands. If you take care of the land, the land takes care of you!” —Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike Elementary participant
Photo courtesy of Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike.
GBH’s Molly of Denali
Introducing traditional foods, food practices, and other aspects of Alaska Native and Indigenous cultures to kids through television
Image courtesy of Molly of Denali.
GBH’s Molly of Denali
The PBS KIDS animated series Molly of Denali follows 10-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl who lives in the fictional village of Qyah, Alaska. Through streamed and broadcast episodes, a podcast, games, and educational resources, Molly’s adventures help build literacy skills while introducing traditional foods, food practices, and other aspects of Alaska Native and Indigenous cultures to kids ages 4-8 nationwide. Molly of Denali is the first nationally distributed children’s series to feature Indigenous lead characters.
Image courtesy of Molly of Denali.
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
Nourishing Indigenous Youth
Zuni Youth Enrichment Project
The mission of Zuni Youth Enrichment Project (ZYEP) is to promote resilience among Zuni youth, so they will grow into strong and healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP pursues its mission by providing Zuni youth with positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that build on the strengths of the community.
2024 impact:
- 1,800 Indigenous youth reached through school and community programming..
- Youth awareness of traditional healthy foods increased from 35% to 57%
“My favorite thing about the afterschool program was when we got to cook stuff…my favorite was Zoodles!” Third-grader Lilly B.
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Photo courtesy of Nalwoodi Denzhone Community.