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This last summer, Canada was selected to conduct one of five Agricultural Trade Missions (ATM) around the world, and the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s (IAC) American Indian Foods (AIF) program had the unique opportunity to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for a first-of-its-kind visit. From June 17-22, 2024, nearly 20 Tribal leaders and U.S. food and agriculture businesses participated in the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Agriculture Trade Mission (ATM). Native producers included:
Yopun Tea, LLC
Latashia Redhouse, AIF Director and a member of the Navajo Nation, shared how this trip intersected with her passion for inspiring Native business owners and offering solutions to help grow their operations.
“Our journey to Vancouver for this historic Trade Mission is a celebration of agriculture, where the rich Traditional Ecological Knowledge from Indian Country empowers sustainability. Through stewardship of the land and a deep commitment to preserving our food systems, we are strengthening our communities and fostering a future where both our culture and agriculture thrive for generations to come.”
USDA Undersecretary Alexis Taylor led the trade mission, which included educational seminars, retail and warehouse tours, and government-to-government meetings to build trade relations in Western Canada. The trade mission focused on agribusinesses licensed to use the Made/Produced By American Indians trademark, who have expressed interest in expanding their export opportunities to Canada. Established in 1991, the trademark was created to protect the authenticity of Native goods while increasing the visibility of Native food products.
With many agribusiness owners managing more of the product sales, distribution, and marketing, producers like Abianne Falla with CatSpring Yaupon understand the value of a presence in the global marketplace, “It as has been amazing to work with AIF – I think we're at a unique intersection.” Abianne continued, “We want to work with other brands and be in more restaurants. We want to see Yaupon on more menus… I also want to see it as more of an ingredient in ready to drink functional beverages, granola bars, energy bars and all of those different things.”
For American Indian and Alaska Native producers exploring new market opportunities through initiatives like the ATM to Canada, the trademark amplifies their presence in global markets. Your support is essential to increasing the visibility of Native agriculture. By donating today, you support the effort to connect Native producers with international buyers, preserve cultural heritage, and create lasting economic opportunities.
The USDA ATM to Canada echoes traditional trade practices Native communities engaged in long before borders confined them, enabling producers to expand their customer reach into the Canadian market. Redhouse reflected on the remarkable experience and the progress this means for Native producers, saying, “I am grateful to the First Nations People of Vancouver, British Columbia, for welcoming AIF to their lands for this significant milestone in Indian Country, and the coordination efforts by USDA to offer such a substantial itinerary that offered extensive understanding of the market.”
The ATM underscores IAC's mission to ensure that Tribes and Tribal producers have equitable access to resources and realize positive change in Indian agriculture. Join us in empowering Native communities—your contribution makes a difference. Donate today!
The IAC’s American Indian Foods program builds sustainable and thriving food systems alongside Native agribusiness owners and entrepreneurs. Launched in 1998 under contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the AIF program serves as a platform for American Indian and Alaska Native food businesses to showcase products grown nationwide on pristine Tribal lands.
American Indian Foods come from coast to coast in the United States and are grown on the stewarded lands of Native American Nations or raised in their natural waters. Through the AIF program, members of the Native agriculture community across Indian Country have opportunities to promote their products in the global market while increasing equitable value chains that uplift Indigenous food systems through every phase of market and export expansion.
Visit indianagfoods.org to learn more about the Made/Produced By American Indians trademark and find the trademark directory. For further information and inquiries, please contact Latashia Redhouse, latashia@indianag.org. American Indian and Alaska Native businesses with at least a 51% controlling interest are encouraged to apply for a license to use the trademark.
