Thanksgiving tends to be all about food, yet indigenous peoples across the country are struggling with hunger everyday.
The reality that idigenous people disproportionately face food insecurity should not be new information to Americans. In 2015, the federal government gave $27 million to Kentucky, Nevada, Virginia, and the Chickasaw and Navajo tribal nations to fight childhood hunger; att that time, nearly 40% of Native American children lived in poverty. This money was intended to expand safety net programs on reservations and enroll Native Americans in government programs like food stamps and free meals
Two years later, a study from the Department of Health and Human Services showed that American Indians and Alaska Natives were twice as likely to be food insecure than white Americans – despite the earlier push to strengthen government programs that are designed to fight hunger.
“We did not deserve this negligence.”
Janene Yazzie, Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund
COVID-19: The Virus that Reveals Inequality
As Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times reports, “If Native American tribes were counted as states, the five most infected states in the country would all be native tribes.” According to the CDC, American Indian/Alaska Native populations have 3.5 more COVID-19 cases than non-Hispanic whites in America. Those Native Americans who test positive for COVID-19 also tend to be younger than non-Hispanic whites, with a three times higher percentage of cases among those under 18 years of age.
“Food insecurity does not exist in isolation.”
Feeding America
The pandemic has exposed inequality in access to water, a necessity because washing one’s hands is a crucial safety precaution against coronavirus. It is also revealing food deserts that existed due to current and historical structural racism that marginalizes Native American communities. The disproportionate impact of COVID highlights the systems that continue to fail certain communities in America. As unemployment continues to sweep the nation, many members of indigenous communities are facing critical financial hardships. And the supply chains that typically stock the few stores on reservations have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. Increasingly, Native American families are having to rely on the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Although 276 tribes receive benefits through FDPIR, the new federal stimulus bill, the proposed HEROES Act, provides little support to FDPIR. The need for food security in indigenous communities still exists, but support for policies that help is lacking. That’s where we can step in.
This Thanksgiving, Here are Some Ways To Make A Difference
The traditional Thanksgiving Day story as we were taught in elementary school certainly lacks historical nuance. The actual first Thanksgiving was very different than the myths and legends we learned, and policies since then pursued by the federal government have often been shockingly unjust. That makes it all the more important to take some time this holiday season to determine how you can help.
- Call your elected officials and advocate for legislation that protects and supports Native American interests, particularly now in crafting relief packages for the pandemic.
- The First Nations Development Institute also recommends advocating for the general support of safety net programs including: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Educate yourself by reading Yuna’s three part series, COVID-19 Exacerbates Inequalities for Indigenous Communities
- Donate to The Navajo and Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund to help feed families who are most affected
- With the gift-giving season right around the corner, consider buying Native products to support the local economy
Most importantly, spend some time this Thanksgiving talking about this issue and bringing awareness to the problem. Talk about it on your family Zoom call as you all sit down for an American holiday that celebrates food. Think about giving thanks for what you have, and start thinking about creative solutions to the problems that plague our country. That way, we can all be a part of making America better.
