On the Map: Our Food Sovereignty Initiative Featured in National Geographic UK

"I didn’t recognize just how powerful it was to be featured in a magazine such as The National Geographic until I was able to hold the hard copy in my hands for the first time."

Landscape photo of the Keya Wakpala Gardens taken by photographer, Matt Dutile.

We are thrilled to share a remarkable achievement within our Food Sovereignty Initiative! Matte Wilson, the Director of the program, was recently featured in National Geographic Traveller UK Magazine, thanks to an opportunity presented by journalist and author Zoey Goto. This recognition came after Zoey was impressed by the lunch provided by the Food Sovereignty Initiative team during a state tour she took part in that was led by the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance.

Zoey's feature in National Geographic UK Magazine focused on Matte's journey back to his Lakota roots through food sovereignty, highlighting the beauty in reconnecting to the power he’s always carried within his identity. In working with Zoey, Matte was most impressed with the way in which Zoey covered this story. Matte shared, “our stories of Lakota people are many times misconstrued and the essence of our stories are not represented well. Many times the story line is focused on the challenges and the struggles of our communities, however this article did not take that narrative and highlighted the beauty and uniqueness of our ways of life as Lakota people.”

The impact of this feature on Matte and the Food Sovereignty Initiative team was significant. Holding the physical copy of the magazine for the first time, Matte reflected, "It was so crazy and amazing to hold a magazine that highlighted my team and the passion we have in our work as it relates to food sovereignty, especially from a Lakota perspective." This opportunity is a testament that you don’t always have to be an expert in the field that you are passionate about.

For Matte, cooking is not just a hobby but an important part of his identity. He acknowledges the support of his team in making this achievement possible, emphasizing their role in growing the food, setting up the table, and making the day successful to bring this story to life. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and shows how their work impacts the broader community now and for generations to come. Not only does their commitment contribute to providing fresh foods and food sovereignty education to the community, but their hard work impacts our local economy, our land, and our ecosystems.

In the National Geographic UK Magazine feature, Matte shared a blue corn sugar cookie recipe that was inspired by his time spent on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Sharing recipes opens a window for others to experience foods that are common to other Native nations and cultures, fostering cultural exchange and understanding. For Matte, sharing this recipe is an expression of love and a way to connect with others through the shared experience of food. There’s always a story to be told when sharing recipes.

Highlighting Indigenous stories like Matte's on platforms like National Geographic is crucial. It provides a platform to showcase the depth and variations of Indigenous cultures, countering the many stereotypes and misconceptions. For Matte, who initially felt uncertain about his love for cooking due to lacking a formal Western culinary education, this opportunity is a validation of his personal journey as a chef and his expertise in food sovereignty. It also opens the door to others across the World who may be on a similar journey, it creates validation for them as well. Additionally, it creates a sense of pride and empowerment within Indigenous communities, validating their unique perspectives and contributions to the world as they hone in on their abilities to do things in a different or sometimes, traditional way. Such visibility on a well-known platform not only amplifies Indigenous voices and stories, but through learning of other Indigenous foods you get a glimpse of what life is like on their land and the ways in which they are revitalizing their traditional teachings.

Photographer Matt Dutile captures a beautiful photo of the chickens that are cared for at the Keya Wakpala Gardens located on Sicangu Makoce.