Putting Tribal Sovereignty
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) entered 2025 in a moment of significant change across Indian Country. Shifts in federal leadership and policy brought new challenges and opportunities for Tribal Nations and Tribal producers, all while they continued the essential work of growing, raising, and harvesting the food, fiber, and fuel that sustain healthy people and strong economies. Throughout this dynamic year, IFAI remained steadfast in its mission to enhance the health and wellness of Tribal communities by advancing healthy food systems, diversified economic development, and Tribal food traditions in Indian Country.
Building on the growth and momentum of the previous year, IFAI expanded its reach and impact once again. Our team worked closely with Tribes across all regions, providing one-on-one technical assistance and supporting a wide range of Tribally led food sovereignty efforts. We continued to serve as Indian Country’s trusted agricultural law and policy resources tracking, analyzing, and explaining an unprecedented volume of federal policy changes affecting Tribal food and agriculture operations.
In 2025, IFAI strengthened its commitment to capacity building and education. We delivered food safety training to Tribal producers and food businesses, offered legal and policy research tailored to community needs, and traveled across the country to meet with stakeholders and policymakers at the Tribal, federal, and state levels. We also hosted the 11th annual Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit, welcoming a new cohort of young leaders who will carry Tribal food systems into the next generation.
This year also marked the release of a new resource, the Tribal Governance Guide to Food and Agriculture, developed to support Tribal governments as they invest in food and agriculture systems. The guide provides clearly defined, customizable pathways toward self-governed Tribal food systems and economies, reflecting our belief that Tribal sovereignty in food and agriculture must be tailored to each Nation’s unique needs, priorities, and community goals.
None of this work would be possible without the continued support of our partners and the dedication of IFAI’s passionate, hardworking staff. Their expertise, collaboration, and commitment remain the foundation of our success.
We invite you to explore the full scope of our work and impact in the pages that follow. Thank you for joining us in another year of growth, service, and partnership across Indian Country.
Read the full report HERE.
over the Governance Guide was held on October 28, 2025, and hosted by IFAI. If you missed the webinar, you could replay it here and read the entire Governance Guide attached.