An incredible piece of activism and research was shared at our space, check out the description below of the Food Equity Timeline:

​Many of us concerned with food and health disparities in our communities want to talk about the role that we can play in creating more just systems and fair outcomes for us all. We need opportunities to come together to reflect on the roles that policy, racial oppression, and social justice movements have had on our communities and our food system in a deeper context. At this training participants will walk along a physical timeline and explore how systemic inequities were created and reflect on the legacy we would like to leave for the future. 

The present-day inequities in the food system are the result of hundreds of years of policy and action that favored white landowners’ interests over those of people of color and indigenous people. The brutal history of enslavement, divestment, and genocide - and the powerful stories of resistance to it - are obscured by today’s mainstream historical narratives. The Race, Policy and the U.S. Food System Timeline unearths these stories with the intention of informing present day actions to improve the food system for local communities.
 
For this Session, participants were invited to walk along a physical timeline and spend some time learning about how policies, decisions, and attitudes have intentionally shaped the food landscape we find ourselves in, and to understand that there has always been resistance and resiliency throughout that history.  With this information we can ask ourselves “What is the legacy we’d like to leave for the future?”  Knowing what we know, how can we use systems thinking and policy to create a more just, equitable, and regenerative food system? We’ll invite participants to use the supplies provided to add entries to the timeline as well as to envision what a different legacy might look like.

Originally scheduled for the outdoors, the Indigenous Foods Expo was moved to AICHO's main building due to weather constraints. The event brought together roughly 2,000 people from all parts of the world to explore Indigenous foods and support regional entrepreneurs. Check out the video coverage of some of the events highlights and miigwetch for making history with us! We were grateful to make national news. 

For the first time the history of the award, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award went to all women of color / Indigenous women, including two of our staff, Moira Villiard and Ivy Vainio!  YWCA Duluth’s Women of Distinction Luncheon recognizes and honors women who make significant contributions to our community. Hundreds come together each year to enjoy lunch, recognize the amazing contributions of these women, hear highlights of the YWCA’s community outreach, network with community colleagues, and contribute to YWCA programs. 

Indigenous artist Sarah Agaton Howes and entrepreneur ChaQuana McEntyre were also recipients.