Sowing Seeds of Food Sovereignty: Reflections from Rosebud

Abstract

A pediatric resident physician who completed a clinical rotation on the Rosebud Indian Reservation explores the health challenges faced by the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. There are multiple upstream factors that impact the health of people living in Rosebud including access to healthcare, transportation, historical trauma, and health disparities. Access to affordable, healthy food options is also an issue on the reservation. Movements are taking hold in Rosebud in an effort to create more healthy, culturally appropriate, sustainable and accessible nutrition options by, and for, the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. The pediatric resident describes food sovereignty and grassroots initiatives on the reservation.