The ktanaqson project contributes to the overarching goal of creating a sustainable indigeneous food sovereignty system within the five wabanaki communities of maine

The Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (WPHW) received a $708,578 Project Grant award from the US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program. The three-year award will support WPHW's Ktanaqson Project to develop a sustainable Indigenous food sovereignty system for the five Wabanaki communities in Maine. Key deliverables include hiring a Food Sovereignty Coordinator and Educator to identify and develop tribal and local food networks, cultivate produce at a hoop house, implement a mobile food pantry, and partner with other organizations on healthy lifestyle programs. The project also aims to establish food procurement policies and procedures and deliver food items to 750-1,000 families per month through organizing traditional food production, storage, and preparation efforts. These activities are intended to strengthen the regional food system and contribute to sustainable ecosystems, strong communities, vibrant farms, thriving local economies, and healthy residents.

These community efforts will be strengthened through these funds by allowing wabanaki public health and wellness (wphw) to support a food sovereignty planning committee which will include stakeholders from all five communities, to hire a food sovereignty coordinator, and to employ a food sovereignty educator. These positions will work to create a sustainable food system by conducting the following activities:- identifying and develeoping tribal and local food networks;- working with the food sovereignty planning committee on sustainability planning;- cultivating produce and conducting education on food practices at a hoop house;- implementing a mobile food pantry; and- working with internal and external partners such as snap ED, cooking matters, and let's go 5210 to develop healthy lifestyles. The ktanaqson project allows for the development of food procurement policies and procedures, the delivery of food items to 750-1000 families per month, and the organization of traditional food production, storage, and preparation. This strengthens the food system by building partnerships with local food producers and pantries who focus on sustainable farming, foraging, and hunting. These efforts contribute to sustainable ecosystems, strong communities, vibrant farms, thriving local economies, and healthy people.