Makah Tribe of Indians First Foods Procurement Program
The Makah Tribe of Indians is located in Neah Bay, Washington. A total of 1,463 people live on the Reservation, comprising 1,168 Tribal members and 295 non-Indians. Neah Bay is a Historically Disadvantaged Community with a 75% percentile for the following socioeconomic factors at the state and national level: people of color, low income, and unemployment. The economy of the Makah is based primarily on commercial fishing and tourism. Neah Bay is located in a remote area with limited access and limited sources/producers of fresh foods.
Like many Tribal communities, the Makah are focused on food sovereignty and access to traditional first foods including fish, shellfish, and berries. First foods are currently provided to the community by donation from the Makah commercial fishing fleet and local harvesters. These products are distributed via sharing networks and the food bank with a focus on disadvantaged members of the community including the elderly, disabled, and those with limited access to first foods.
The LFPA funding ($482,942) will be used to purchase salmon and halibut from the Makah commercial fishing fleet and with local harvesters for shellfish, berries, and produce. The program will be managed by ʔux̌awa·ɫ qwa·qik ʔusubaqey – (Use What You May Need) Makah Office of Marine Affairs Makah Food Sovereignty Program. Distribution will be managed by the Makah Food Sovereignty Program in collaboration with Makah Social Services Department’s Food Bank. The funding will benefit first foods access for disadvantaged community recipients and develop economic benefits for the fishing fleet and new local harvesters.