AKWESASNE -- On Tuesday, August 23rd; members of the New York State Tribal Conservation Advisory Council gathered at Atsiakta to discuss Tribal conservation priorities and accessing USDA programs. The Tribal Advisory Council also discussed opportunities to receive funding from the U.S. Forest Service to support culturally-significant plant activities, such as growing and harvesting of traditional plants. Pictured is Tribal Sub-Chief Agnes “Sweets” Jacobs welcoming the group to Akwesasne and sharing the direct impact that tribal efforts will have on cultural connections to the land and future generations. To make the conversation more tangible and "real" for USDA representatives, the group made small black ash baskets under the direction of Angello Johnson; as well as sampled herbal teas from Snipe Clan Botanicals and visited Akwesasne's new native plant nursery. USDA staff were required to attend a cultural training on the first day to continue the TCAC’s goal of building understanding and respect. Joining the gathering were conservation staff from the Seneca Nation of Indians and Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force representatives from the Tuscarora Nation and the Onondaga Nation. USDA agencies included Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Forest Service, and Risk Management Agency. United South and Eastern Tribes served as the coordinator for TCAC.
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