Lakota McRoberts, a presenter at the 2024 IAC Youth Conference, highlighted her experience with leadership, sovereignty, and community in the Copper River Record. Carrying a Tribal flag in honor of her veteran grandfather, she reflected on how the event celebrated Tribal producers across generations. Read an excerpt below.
The 2024 Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) Youth Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, proved to be a life-changing, empowering experience that celebrated Indigenous youth leadership, cultural food sovereignty, and the boundless opportunities in agriculture. From December 9 to 12, over 1,180 participants, including 33 youth and 19 young professionals, came together at the Palms Casino Resort to share knowledge, network, and learn about how they can shape the future of Native agriculture.
IAC was founded in 1987, and their mission statement is “to pursue and promote the conservation, development, and use of land-based agricultural resources vital to the economic and social well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native communities.”
A Gathering Rooted in Tradition and Progress
The conference opened with a deeply moving flag procession, where youth proudly carried in their Tribes' flags. This ceremonial act set the tone for an event steeped in cultural pride and purpose. A special highlight of the opening session included the presentation of awards to three youth essay finalists, who courageously shared their visions for a brighter future. It was inspiring to see Indigenous youth using their voices to advocate for change—embodying the spirit of leadership and hope.
Throughout the event, the presence of food—traditional, nutritious, and culturally significant—emphasized the importance of food sovereignty. Chef Elena Terry (Ho-Chunk Nation), Executive Chef and Founder of Wild Berries, delivered a transformative culinary experience. The lunch, featuring foods sourced from 28 Indigenous agriculture companies across the country, was a feast for both body and soul. From roasted squash and tepary bean soup to strawberry blue corn shortcake, every bite was intentional and healing. As one attendee reflected, “Food is medicine—how you eat is how you feel, and after eating this, I felt healed.”
For me, being able to be an attendee, carrying a Tribal flag in honor of my veteran grandfather was a deeply emotional experience. I felt connected to something bigger than myself. I was proud to be an Indigenous young woman.
McRoberts, L. (2025, January 31). Empowering the next generation. Copper River Record. https://www.copperriverrecord.net/tributaries/empowering-the-next-generation.