IFAI Welcomes Law and Policy Fellow

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. – With support from the Native American Agriculture Fund (NAAF), the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) at the University of Arkansas School of Law recently announced their 2026 Law and Policy Fellow.

Elizabeth Stroud (Cherokee/Muscogee) is a 2026 graduate from the University of Iowa College of Law. She holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and legal studies from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Stroud is passionate about advancing Tribal sovereignty through law, policy, and community-centered advocacy.

Before attending law school, Stroud spent several years living and working in Tribal communities. She served as a Mental Health Client Advocate with the Tribal Defenders Office of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Pablo, Montana.

“This experience supporting Tribal citizens in navigating mental health and justice systems deepened my commitment to Indigenous self-determination and increased my interest in using law and policy to support Tribal Nations,” said Stroud.

During her time in law school, Stroud concentrated her studies and advocacy on Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, human rights, and criminal legal reform. She served as the Senior Development Editor for the Journal of Gender, Race & Justice and worked with the University of Iowa Human Rights Initiatives Clinic. In this role, she assisted the Environmental Rights in Africa coalition in their efforts to create a new continent-wide environmental rights treaty.

Stroud will have the opportunity to work on a range of topics including Tribal governance, food and nutrition, natural resources and conservation, food safety, agriculture policy, federal program policy serving Tribes in nutrition and agriculture, and more.

IFAI’s work focuses on promoting Tribally driven solutions to revitalize and advance traditional food systems and diversified economic development throughout Indian Country. IFAI provides Tribal governments, producers, and food businesses with educational resources, policy research, and strategic legal analysis as a foundation for building robust food economies.

“I am looking forward to supporting Tribal food systems, strengthening Indigenous self-determination, and advancing policies that benefit Tribal Nations and their citizens,” said Stroud.

Stroud, a registered member of the Cherokee Nation, currently resides in Defiance, Iowa, but considers Tahlequah, Oklahoma, her home.