Pee Dee Indian Tribe Donates 40,000 Pounds of Sweet Potatoes in Support of Food Sovereignty

On Friday, July 19th, the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of South Carolina made a significant contribution to food sovereignty by donating 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to Pee Dee tribal members and members of other tribes throughout the state. For many years, the Pee Dee Tribe has been dedicated to developing their food sovereignty system, ensuring a stable and sustainable food supply for their community.

In 2023, Chief Pete Parr of the Pee Dee Tribe was recognized for his conservation efforts by the Conservation Voters of South Carolina. The organization awarded him this year’s Green Tie Award for Lifetime Conservation Achievement, highlighting his dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.

Food sovereignty is the right of people to have access to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods. It also encompasses the right to define their own food and agriculture systems. This concept is essential for the self-sufficiency and health of Indigenous communities, allowing them to reclaim their agricultural heritage and reduce dependency on external food sources.

The Wassamasaw Tribe and Catawba Nation are also engaged in food sovereignty projects, reflecting a growing movement among South Carolina’s Native American communities to develop and maintain their own food systems.

Joshua Shumak, the Native American Affairs Program Coordinator at the Commission for Minority Affairs, emphasized the importance of food sovereignty in these communities: “Food sovereignty is vital for the health and independence of our tribes. It empowers us to provide for our people using traditional methods and ensures that we have control over our food sources. The Commission for Minority Affairs is committed to bringing USDA resources to tribes with farmers and is working with Growing Local SC to support tribes that want to start their own food sovereignty programs.”

The Commission for Minority Affairs’ efforts aim to support the establishment and growth of these programs, providing technical assistance and resources to tribes seeking to develop sustainable agricultural practices. Through these initiatives, the Commission hopes to strengthen the food security and resilience of Native American communities across South Carolina.