Media Share from KXLG
Steve Jurrens
Dec 27, 2024
{KXLG – South Dakota} The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate has announced a groundbreaking collaboration between the North Dakota Advanced Agriculture Technology Engine (FARMS) and the Coalition of Large Tribes (COLT) through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership aims to advance bison rematriation, agricultural innovation, and food security across Tribal Nations by leveraging Indigenous knowledge and AgTech innovation.
FARMS, working with partners such as the North Dakota Tribal System, Grand Farm, and North Dakota State University, focuses on addressing food insecurity through AgTech and cross-cultural cooperation. Meanwhile, COLT represents over 50 tribes encompassing 95% of Indian lands in the U.S. and concentrates on policies and partnerships benefiting Tribal communities.
The collaboration will promote bison rematriation efforts, integrate conservation and Indigenous land stewardship practices, and support Tribal ranchers in developing sustainable agricultural solutions. It also aims to create educational opportunities, workforce pathways, and AgTech innovations intersecting with tribal ecological knowledge to improve food security. Additionally, the partnership will develop a co-management toolkit for bison stewardship, incorporating best practices from ecological, economic, and cultural perspectives.
Dr. Hollie Mackey, CEO of FARMS, stated, “FARMS is honored to partner with COLT to merge traditional Indigenous practices with advanced agricultural technologies. This partnership highlights the importance of co-stewardship and community-driven solutions that foster resilience, economic opportunity, and environmental harmony for generations to come.” Oliver J. Semans, Sr., Executive Director of COLT, added, “COLT brings a strategic vision for large land-based Tribal Nations to reclaim their cultural and economic sovereignty through initiatives like bison rematriation. This collaboration aligns resources and expertise to create lasting benefits for our people, land, and future.”
The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports this collaboration, reinforcing its commitment to advancing innovation ecosystems that address critical societal challenges, including food insecurity, environmental sustainability, and equitable economic development across Tribal and rural communities.