The Indigenous Food Sovereignty Emerging Leaders Program (IFSELP) is a three-week on-site summer program dedicated to creating opportunities for Indigenous students from across the nation to pursue careers in Indigenous food sovereignty. This summer program will be held at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, in collaboration with tribal colleges, tribal universities, and Indigenous food sovereignty programs. This summer program will prioritize the preservation of Indigenous food systems, traditions, and knowledge by offering an educational pathway for Indigenous students that promotes academic excellence through a cultural lens. To prepare our future generations of Indigenous Food Sovereignty Leaders, each student will identify and address an Indigenous food sovereignty-related challenge in their community and share what they learned at the end of the program. This summer program aims to address health inequities faced by Indigenous communities, growing the next generation of leaders committed to sharing their knowledge on food sovereignty and the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. 

What to Expect:

• Culturally grounded education and guidance on ways to preserve Indigenous food systems, traditions, and knowledge.
• Each week the program will include guided tours of tribal colleges, universities, and food sovereignty programs to familiarize students with available opportunities for degrees and future careers
• Exposure to existing Indigenous Food Sovereignty initiatives will be provided, highlighting projects managed by and for Indigenous Peoples
• Participants will receive guidance in developing an education and career plan, focusing on Indigenous food sovereignty-related degrees such as Dietetics, Nutrition, Agriculture, Plant Sciences, and Public Health
• Each student will identify and address an Indigenous food sovereignty-related challenge in their community and share what they learned at the end of the program

Who Should Apply:

• Indigenous students aged 18-24 from across the nation are welcome to apply.
• Eligible students must have received a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent by May 2024. High school seniors may also apply if they graduate by May 2024 and turn 18 years of age on or before June 9, 2024

When and Where:

• Summer Program dates: June 9, 2024, to June 29, 2024
• Location: North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
• Students will check into dorms on Sunday, June 9, 2024, and check out of the dorms on June 29, 2024, to travel back to their homelands
• Students will tour tribal colleges, universities, and Indigenous Food Sovereignty initiatives in the Great Plains region

Join us on this educational journey to become the next generation of leaders committed to growing the field of Indigenous Food Sovereignty. 

Apply Here Deadline: April 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST Applicants will be notified on May 1, 2024.

IFSELP Q & A Webinar Recording

For further information, here is the link to the recording from the IFSELP Q & A Webinar hosted on March 28, 2024.

Webinar Recording