Two NIFA teams received USDA Nation to Nation Tribal Innovation Awards recently in recognition of their work to enhance the federal nation-to-nation relationship with Tribal governments. Presented by the USDA Office of Tribal Relations, the awards recognize staff who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to elevating tribal interests through agency policies, programs, outreach and related activities.
Removal of Barriers
NIFA’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) received the 2023 Tribal Innovation Award on Removal of Barriers. GusNIP projects serve the Navajo Nation, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Great Plains Area, Cheyenne River Sioux, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and Blackfeet Nation. The GusNIP Program established a new evaluation protocol giving preference to proposals serving historically underrepresented communities and underrepresented geographies. This resulted in a threefold increase in awards serving Tribal communities.
Additionally, GusNIP issued new guidance to projects looking to engage, consult, and/or collaborate with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples to ensure that Indigenous knowledge is considered and applied in a manner that respects tribal sovereignty and achieves beneficial outcomes for Tribal and Indigenous communities.
GusNIP Team: Mallory Koenings, Team Leader; Suzanne Stluka; Matt Browning; Maria Crespo Seshompo; Sheila Fleischacker; Pascale Jean; Cierrah Kassetas, Mallory Koenings; Ryan Kornegay; Stephanie Morriss; Yamilis Ocasio, Shakeeva Shepherd; and Steve Zeng.
Extraordinary Tribal Engagement
NIFA’s Tribal Programs received the 2023 Tribal Innovation Award for Extraordinary Tribal Engagement. The Tribal Programs Team provides funding opportunities and technical assistance to 1994, 1890, and 1862 Land-grant Institutions that provide both formal education and informal, community-based learning to Tribal communities. Its portfolio includes five programs specifically for Tribal communities.
Three programs support 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities directly: the Tribal Colleges Equity Program; the Tribal Colleges Extension Program; and the Tribal Colleges Research Grant Program. This funding addresses priority issues of concern within Tribal communities including Indigenous language preservation, traditional ecological knowledge, and building research and educational capacity in the food and agricultural sciences. In addition, the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program provides informal, community-based learning on reservations, while the New Beginning for Tribal Students grant program aims to graduate Tribal students from Land-grant Universities.
Tribal Programs Team: Erin Riley, Team Leader; Janyce Woodard; Ara Staab; and Prali Chitnis.