During this virtual event, hosted by the Women's Foundation in partnership with the Montana Community Foundation, Mariah Gladstone, founder of Indigikitchen, shares a special cooking demonstration of her pumpkin lentil soup which includes nourishing foods native to the Americas. It is also an opportunity to learn more about food sovereignty efforts in Montana and what Indigenous communities across the state are doing to address the impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples' diets and health.

Additionally, it includes presentations from two outstanding local food sovereignty leaders about their projects: Brenda Richey founder of Insta-success with Instapots, based on the Flathead Reservation and Lynette Two Bulls with Yellow Bird Life Way Center’s Food Sovereignty Program, based on the Northern Cheyenne Homelands.

The Montana Community Foundation, of which WFM is a strategic initiative, has supported Indigenous food sovereignty in Montana through grants to tribal organizations and communities.

COVID-19 recovery grants from the Montana Disaster Relief Fund supported the following:

• Fort Belknap Tribe- Nakada Aaniiih Economic Development
• Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians
• Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
• Chippewa-Cree Tribe

Additionally, a $40,000 grant to No Kid Hungry, through the Montana Disaster Relief Fund, supported disaster preparedness through grants to the following:

• Flathead Indian Reservation, CSKT Tribal Health Family Dinner Project- Insta-success with Instapots
• Crow Indian Reservation, Bighorn Valley Search and Rescue local and healthy food boxes.
• Fort Belknap Reservation, Blue Heaven Harnessing Hope Agriculture Entrepreneur Project.
• Fort Peck Reservation, Red Bird Woman Center Family Dinner Projects.

Some Ways to Support Food Sovereignty in Montana

• Support the work of the MSU Flathead Federally Recognized Tribe Extension program on the Flathead Reservation, such as the Insta-success with Instant Pots program or their 4-H and Farmers For America (FFA) Youth Meat Poultry Project and Apiary Entrepreneurship. Contact Brenda Richey to discuss options. Financial donations and donations of supplies are accepted.

• Check the the different ways to give to the Yellow Bird Life Ways Center.

• Support No Kid Hungry. The Montana Campaign collaborates with communities around healthy food solutions to curb hunger today, while also cultivating systemic change alongside community leaders to end hunger for the future. Restricted funds are also accepted for specific project types or communities/regions in Montana. Learn more here.