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The Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute’s Indigenous Foods Festival took place on Saturday, May 4th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival focuses on uplifting Indigenous food sovereignty across many regions. The event will include an outdoor area where several organizations will host tables, demonstrations, workshops, educational materials, food, and art. There will also be a larger forum space, where discussion panels and speaker presentations around food sovereignty and Indigenous foodways will take place throughout the festival. The festival is funded by the Sustainable Humboldt Innovative Futures Trust (SHIFT), the Cowell Foundation, the Humboldt Ethnic Studies Council, and community donors!

"The Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute is the first of its kind in the California State University system and leading the way in innovative and community-based research with Indigenous nations,” said Dr. Kaitlin Reed, co-director of the lab. The Lab is an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort that is student-designed and community-informed.

The purpose of the FSL is to provide an opportunity to work directly with the surrounding communities, tribal nations, and national and international scholars and community leaders to center, learn, and engage with Indigenous science, environmental management, and preservation practices. The lab builds national and international connections that foreground Indigenous voices in rigorous academic research, publications and community-centered programming, connecting youth to higher education, policy development, economic development, and climate resiliency.

“From the beginning the development of the lab has been guided by tribal community representatives and passionate student advocates and research assistants. We are so proud of the work all of the students have done to make this project so successful. We are also grateful for the many community donors who supported us along the way,” said Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy, co-director of the lab.

The lab continues to fundraise to support our upcoming events and workshops; installation of an outdoor classroom; building of an Indigenous garden; and supporting ongoing programming like future food festivals and youth-led projects. To support the lab, please visit our donation page. To find out additional information, check us out on Facebook @FoodSovereigntyLab and on Instagram @humboldtnas.