Glacier County Economic Development

"Nisto Amsskapi Pikanii ki niitsii topii abastan. Hello, my name is Abbi Fitzpatrick. I am Southern Blackfoot, and I am from Cut Bank. My home is near the backbone of the world, Glacier National Park. Most of my family lives on the Blackfeet Reservation. My father is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe. I am aware of hardships living in a reservation-border town as well as on the reservation. I have tremendous pride of this challenging environment that has made me resilient.

My greatest interest stems from my involvement in 4-H. As a member of Blackfeet 4-H, I was introduced to the Intertribal Agriculture Youth Council. Intertribal Agriculture Council is a network of people who advocate for tribal food sovereignty for all tribes across our great nation. For the last three years, I have gained tremendous opportunities from my experiences through IAC. My greatest interest has been food sovereignty in Indian Country. I have learned several solutions reservations are pursuing to enhance healthy and independent food choices. Having the opportunity to work with Intertribal Agriculture Council, I have a voice as a youth leader for my tribe and my community.

Today, food related health diseases, poverty, and food deserts are challenges for Indian Country. As an adcvocate for food sovereignty, I understand the importance of traditional foods and their relation to healthy living. With the high percentage of poverty on reservations, Native Americans receiving assistance through commodities or the SNAP program have limited funds for nutritious foods. Furthermore, whether they are SNAP recipients or can afford to fill their cupboards with groceries on their own, healthy food choices are limited due to food desert areas. A food desert is an area removed from access to affordable, nutritious food options. We have a few designated food desert areas in my immediate community.

In January of 2017, I began fund-raising to purchase 100 cases of mini-produce boxes to be distributed to two community programs. The project was covered by $570 from local and GoFundMe donations while Glacier County Port Authority funded $1,030. The project's goal is to share with low-income families about how they can provide their families with healthy produce at a low cost through a local vendor. The first group of 50 boxes was delivered to the community of Heart Butte, Montana during the first part of May 2017. Fifty food boxes were then delivered to the local kid-pack program in my hometown of Cut Bank at the end of May 2017. Heart Butte is a designated food desert along with several reservations towns in Indian Country. I included a flyer for each mini-box with easy recipes using the ingredients in the boxes along with an introduction about the local vendor.

On June 2, 2017, I was notified that I had been chosen from a competitive applicant pool for a grant from the Red Ants Pants Foundation. I received $500 to put towards my project. I also raised an additional $90 to add to the sum during the summer. On November 16, 2017, I was notified that Glacier County Port Authority would again fund the project with an added $910 to complete a second drop of 100 boxes. In December, I also learned that the Siyeh Corporation will be adding to the drop with an additional $2,000. In January of 2018, I will organize a distribution of boxes to Seville Head Start, Cut Bank Head Start, and Browning Public Schools. I am hopeful to get cooperation of my local student council along with the student council of Browning High School for such a large distribution of over 230 boxes." -Abbi Fitzpatrick, Glacier County Healthy Foods (photos courtesy of Abbi Fitzpatrick)