USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funds a number of programs that promote learning, opportunities and health in tribal communities. But the agency continues to look for ways to expand its support of Tribal communities. As part of this effort, NIFA’s Communications team has developed a communications and photography project to support NIFA’s tribal partners.
In August, NIFA Communications professionals traveled to northern Arizona to deliver a pilot training to the Hopi community. Susan Sekaquaptewa, the University of Arizona Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) agent based on the Hopi reservation, guided the team as they prepared for their training as well as coordinating local arrangements. Sekaquaptewa’s guidance helped teach NIFA professionals how to conduct themselves during the training to respect and honor the Hopi people’s culture and traditions.
During the three-day visit, NIFA Communications professionals worked with Hopi community representatives and 4-H members to learn and build new skills and enhance their abilities to tell their own stories.
Additionally, the team conducted photo shoots highlighting members of the Hopi tribe in a variety of locations, including 4-H members flying drones and gardeners at work in a FRTEP-supported hoop house. These images will become part of NIFA’s photography library, providing images that highlight Native Americans respectfully.
The NIFA Communications team is working to modify the training program so that it can be customized to meet the unique needs of host communities and plans to conduct more training with tribal partners in the future. The project can provide skills transfer, increase the agency’s library of original photography, strengthen ties with tribal partners and expand Native American representation on NIFA’s communication platforms.
