2018-04: In Support of Improved Child Nutrition Programs and Food Sovereignty Services for Native Students

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents, and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, Native students and families are nearly twice as likely to experience food insecurity than white communities due to high rates of poverty and increased likelihood of food deserts in Native communities; and

WHEREAS, research has shown that students learn best when they have access to healthy food options, showing that access to school nutrition services improves student achievement; and

WHEREAS, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students participate in school nutrition programs and services at rates disproportionately higher than those of their peers; and

WHEREAS, due to rural locations on tribal lands, many schools that serve American Indian and Alaska Native students face high costs for fresh produce, transportation, and food services; and

WHEREAS, funding is limited for school nutrition services and programs at schools that serve high Native student populations; and

WHEREAS, though some schools that serve Native students have implemented programs to serve traditional foods within a wider culture-based approach to education that engages students through traditional knowledge and practices, lack of funding and resources has limited many schools from developing culturally relevant food services; and

WHEREAS, food sovereignty should be defined by the tribe, as traditional foods may not be available to tribes and tribal schools due to forced relocation programs.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association supports improved access to fully funded child nutrition services and programs that serve American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association calls on Congress and the Administration to improve funding and resources for healthy and traditional food options in schools that serve Native students.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association supports funding for programs and services that encourage food sovereignty and tribal certification of food for school food services.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NIEA until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.