Douglas County intern urges formal tribal partnerships, advisory board and support for Indigenous food enterprises

Star Hunting Horses, food systems intern for the Douglas County Sustainability Office, presented a 2025 study of Kansas tribal foodways and recommended that Douglas County formalize relationships with nearby federally recognized tribes and support tribally led food initiatives.

The study, based on outreach and interviews with multiple tribes, identified community gardens, orchards, meat processing and food-box programs, and noted recurring barriers including securing sustained funding, staffing daily operations and integrating education into food sovereignty programs. "We are committed to collaborative food system building with tribal nations as an expression of sovereignty, community well-being, and cultural continuity," Hunting Horses said while outlining recommended policies.

The report focused on the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas; the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska (Sauk and Fox); the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation; and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. Hunting Horses said two interviews (with the Iowa Tribe and the Prairie Band) were recorded and transcribed for analysis; the Sauk and Fox declined recording but remain open to future collaboration. Hunting Horses added that all four nations are…