"Native Tribes Step In to Fill Gap in Food Aid Amid Government Shutdown"
On the Fort Peck Reservation in northern Montana, Native American tribes are taking drastic measures to ensure their members have access to food due to a government shutdown that has disrupted vital aid programs. Two months into the partial government closure, many people across the Great Plains are struggling to make ends meet.
Tribes such as the Blackfeet, Lower Brule Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux, and Crow have taken matters into their own hands by hunting bison from restored herds to provide food for thousands of people. These efforts come in response to Washington's dysfunction that has left millions without access to vital programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
One Fort Peck tribe member, Robert Magnan, explained, "We were bringing it up with the tribal council: What would happen if the government went bankrupt? How would we feed the people?" The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes have been bolstering their herd for years to prepare for such scenarios.
However, not all Native American tribes are equally prepared. The Mi'kmaq Nation in Maine, which relies on the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, has struggled due to its link to the shutdown. Roughly 80% of Mi'kmaq tribal members are SNAP recipients, but with limited funding, they will need extra donations to sustain themselves.
The demise of bison is a painful reminder for many tribes. In the 1800s, buffalo played a central role in Plains tribes' lives before they were nearly exterminated by "hide hunters." The loss was devastating and led to starvation among Assiniboine communities. However, tribal resilience has allowed some tribes to restore their herds and adapt to new circumstances.
In recent months, some tribes have taken bold steps to support themselves during the shutdown. For instance, the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota recently opened its first full-fledged grocery store, ending a decades-long status as a "food desert." Despite reduced SNAP benefits for November, the tribe distributed over 400 pounds of meat to tribal members.
Despite these efforts, many Native American communities remain vulnerable due to limited resources and historical trauma. As one Fort Peck tribe member stated, "Our vehicle's in the shop, but we have to put food on the table before we pay for the car, you know?" The crisis highlights the need for more sustainable solutions that support tribal self-sufficiency and prioritize Native American well-being.
As the government shutdown continues, many tribes will continue to rely on their own resources to get by. While some may be prepared, others face significant challenges. For those affected by the shutdown, it's a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that essential programs are in place to support vulnerable communities.
The Associated Press receives financial support for coverage of Indigenous communities from the Hopper-Dean Family Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters, and funded coverage areas at ap.org
On the Fort Peck Reservation in northern Montana, Native American tribes are taking drastic measures to ensure their members have access to food due to a government shutdown that has disrupted vital aid programs. Two months into the partial government closure, many people across the Great Plains are struggling to make ends meet.
Tribes such as the Blackfeet, Lower Brule Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux, and Crow have taken matters into their own hands by hunting bison from restored herds to provide food for thousands of people. These efforts come in response to Washington's dysfunction that has left millions without access to vital programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
One Fort Peck tribe member, Robert Magnan, explained, "We were bringing it up with the tribal council: What would happen if the government went bankrupt? How would we feed the people?" The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes have been bolstering their herd for years to prepare for such scenarios.
However, not all Native American tribes are equally prepared. The Mi'kmaq Nation in Maine, which relies on the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, has struggled due to its link to the shutdown. Roughly 80% of Mi'kmaq tribal members are SNAP recipients, but with limited funding, they will need extra donations to sustain themselves.
The demise of bison is a painful reminder for many tribes. In the 1800s, buffalo played a central role in Plains tribes' lives before they were nearly exterminated by "hide hunters." The loss was devastating and led to starvation among Assiniboine communities. However, tribal resilience has allowed some tribes to restore their herds and adapt to new circumstances.
In recent months, some tribes have taken bold steps to support themselves during the shutdown. For instance, the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota recently opened its first full-fledged grocery store, ending a decades-long status as a "food desert." Despite reduced SNAP benefits for November, the tribe distributed over 400 pounds of meat to tribal members.
Despite these efforts, many Native American communities remain vulnerable due to limited resources and historical trauma. As one Fort Peck tribe member stated, "Our vehicle's in the shop, but we have to put food on the table before we pay for the car, you know?" The crisis highlights the need for more sustainable solutions that support tribal self-sufficiency and prioritize Native American well-being.
As the government shutdown continues, many tribes will continue to rely on their own resources to get by. While some may be prepared, others face significant challenges. For those affected by the shutdown, it's a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that essential programs are in place to support vulnerable communities.
The Associated Press receives financial support for coverage of Indigenous communities from the Hopper-Dean Family Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters, and funded coverage areas at ap.org
, these tribes are literally taking matters into their own hands to feed their people, it's amazing to see them being proactive like that 
. But at the same time, it's heartbreaking that they have to resort to hunting bison and dealing with the emotional trauma of past struggles against the government 
. And what really gets me is how some tribes are already struggling due to limited resources and historical trauma, I mean we can't just expect them to survive on their own when the system is supposed to be supporting them 
. We need to step up and provide more sustainable solutions that prioritize Native American well-being, this shutdown is a wake-up call for all of us 
.
they're taking it upon themselves to provide food for their communities because the government can't get its act together . It's heartbreaking that they've had to go through this before - the loss of bison and other wildlife was devastating, and now they're struggling again. 
they need more support from the government. And what really gets me is when they have to choose between paying for basic necessities like food or fixing their vehicles . It's just not right.
. We need to do better, and we need to support these tribes in any way we can. We can start by demanding that our leaders take action and allocate more funding for vital programs like SNAP.
! They're actually taking matters into their own hands and hunting bison to feed the people 
. I mean, can you imagine if your tribe was like that? It's pretty impressive they've been preparing for a shutdown like this for years 
.
. But seriously, it's not ideal and highlights the need for more sustainable solutions to support tribal self-sufficiency.
. It's amazing how resilient they are now. And hey, at least some of them have opened up their own grocery stores? That's a win for food deserts everywhere 
.
so great that native tribes are having to step in to save their own people... i mean, it's about time some ppl took initiative instead of just waiting around for the gov to sort things out 
. it's crazy that these communities have been relying on the federal gov's emergency food programs for years and now they're facing a major crisis because of its "shutdown" 
. i mean, who needs a grocery store when you've got bison to hunt? 
but seriously, it's heartbreaking that some communities are struggling so much because of the gov's dysfunction 
.
The government shutdown has highlighted just how fragile the social safety net really is 
.
. But what about those who aren't as prepared? The Mi'kmaq Nation in Maine is a prime example of how some communities are struggling 
.
. We need more sustainable solutions that prioritize their well-being and address systemic inequalities 
. No more Band-Aid fixes or temporary solutions - we need real, lasting change 
the thing is, these communities have been dealing with trauma and systemic inequalities for so long it's not just about the shutdown it's about the lack of support from the government period 
I mean, it's kinda awesome to see Native American tribes taking matters into their own hands to provide food aid during the government shutdown 
. And you know what? It might even be a sign of hope for more self-sufficiency in the future 
. Plus, it's not like they had nothing to fall back on – they've been preparing for this kind of scenario by rebuilding their herds and communities 
. I'm totally here for that extra dose of community spirit 
!
during the shutdown. Bison hunting is like that one relative who always shows up uninvited 
Meanwhile, the rest of us are over here waiting for our stimulus checks to arrive 
