WASHINGTON — This week, U.S. Senator Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, will lead an oversight hearing to discuss agribusiness in Indian Country and will co-host a roundtable discussion on advancing Native food traditions.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will hold an oversight hearing entitled, “Breaking New Ground in Agribusiness Opportunities in Indian Country.” Successes in Native agribusiness have created job opportunities and contributed to greater food security across Indian Country. Udall will question witnesses, including Lionel Haskie, operations & maintenance manager at the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI), on how to improve these successes through increased Tribal input on federal nutrition, agricultural and conservation policies in the Farm Bill reauthorization.
The committee will also hear from Diane Cullo, special assistant in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Udall will question Cullo on how USDA can better ensure that Tribal governments have meaningful access to USDA programs, on par with state governments and state departments of agriculture.
Witnesses will include:
Diane Cullo, special assistant, Office of the Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture
John L. Berrey, chairman, Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma
Lionel Haskie, operations & maintenance manager, Navajo Agricultural Products Industry
Janie Simms Hipp, director, Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative, University of Arkansas
On Thursday, Jan. 18, Udall and Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, will co-chair a roundtable, “Advancing Native Food Traditions for Indian Country,” to discuss the many ways Congress and USDA can support efforts to grow and expand access to foods traditionally and historically cultivated by Tribes. Udall will highlight the importance of federal policy support for these traditional food systems efforts.
Panelists will include Tribal leaders, industry, and key Tribal organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians, the National Indian Health Board, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, Center for Native American Youth, and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
WHAT: Udall to preside as vice chairman at Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing
TIME: Approximately 12:30 p.m. MT / 2:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: 628 Dirksen Senate Office Building. Watch live here.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
WHAT: Udall to co-chair roundtable titled, “Advancing Native Food Traditions for Indian Country.”
TIME: Approximately 2:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: 628 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
###