ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Indigenous Studies receives USDA grant for food initiative

Kari Halverson
907-455-2833
October 23, 2026

The has received a new USDA NIFA Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian grant to support the Drumbeats: Alaska Food Systems and Cultivators Collaborative.

This initiative builds new partnerships across UAF to address food sovereignty issues facing Alaska Native communities. By centering Alaska Native knowledge, the project will inform research, academic coursework, and cooperative extension programming to strengthen healthy food systems and improve community wellbeing.

Project partners include the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Indigenous Studies Tribal Governance program, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Indigenous Studies Center for One Health Research, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the Community and Technical ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Culinary Arts and Hospitality program.

Key planned activities include:

  • CTC Culinary Arts and Hospitality will create professional culinary courses leading to an occupational endorsement centered on Alaska Native food traditions.

  • CIS Tribal Governance will continue developing curriculum on Alaska Native food systems policy and governance to advance leadership development.

  • CIS Center for One Health Research will establish a graduate researcher cohort to conduct community- and place-based research focused on Alaska Native food systems, guided by an advisory council.

  • Cooperative Extension Service will integrate guidance from Alaska Native knowledge holders into its statewide public workshop series.

Learn more on the Drumbeats Consortium website.