The 2025 Biocene Ecological Food Systems grant goes to FAST Blackfeet, a Native-led organization cultivating food sovereignty and security on the Blackfeet Nation by promoting traditional food practices.
Thank you, FAST Blackfeet, for all you do!
Q: What issue(s) are you seeking to solve, and in what ways are you working to solve them?
We’re focused on tackling food insecurity in our community. We’re a nonprofit started by folks who care deeply about making sure everyone on the Blackfeet Nation has access to good, healthy food.
Our work is all about bringing food back into the hands of our people — not just any food, but culturally meaningful, sustainably grown food that supports our health and traditions.
We’re doing this by making it easier for people to get the food they need, offering nutrition education, and empowering our community with the knowledge and skills to eat well and take control of our food systems. It’s about food sovereignty — the right to choose what we eat and how it’s grown — and we’re here to help make that a reality.
Q: What do you find most challenging in your work?
As a nonprofit, FAST Blackfeet has definitely faced its fair share of hurdles over the years. But one of the biggest challenges in my work would have to be getting long-term community buy-in while balancing traditional practices with modern resources.
It takes time to build trust and shift mindsets, especially when it comes to food, which is so personal and rooted in culture.
We’re working to show that reclaiming our food systems isn’t just possible — it’s powerful.
But like any real change, it doesn’t happen overnight. Still, we keep showing up, because the work matters.
Q: What do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part is knowing that the work we’re doing isn’t just for today — it’s going to make a difference for generations to come. Our Blackfeet culture has always been rooted in things like buffalo hunting, strong community ties, spirituality, and passing down knowledge through stories.
For us, it’s not just about food or education — it’s about keeping those traditions alive.
We’re doing this so our kids can grow up with a strong sense of who they are, and so they can carry that forward to their own kids one day. It’s about honoring our ancestors while building something lasting for the future.
Q: What do you wish people knew more about the issue(s) you seek to solve?
Knowledge is meant to be shared, not kept. Ask questions, learn from others, and pass it on. Something as simple as knowing when to pick berries or how rose hip tea helps with vitamin C can make a big difference. Building sustainable food systems is a group effort, and the world is changing fast.
By combining traditional wisdom with modern tools, we can help our communities stay healthy and strong for generations to come.
Q: How can people support your work?
One of the best ways to support our work is to be an advocate. Start small — grow some herbs in your kitchen, learn about traditional food practices, and share that knowledge.
Little things, like knowing sage can be used for tea or added to buffalo meatballs, help keep our food traditions alive.
Every bit of awareness and action makes a difference in building a stronger, more sustainable future.
Q: How do you create joy and hope in your life during the ecological crisis?
In the middle of all the challenges we face — finding joy and hope in the small, meaningful moments. Watching kids get excited about planting their first seeds, sharing traditional meals with elders, or just seeing something grow where there was nothing before — that’s powerful.
Staying connected to the land, our culture, and our community reminds me why this work matters. It gives me hope that even in a changing world, we can still root ourselves in who we are and pass that strength on.