Creating a Tribal Community Garden for Traditional Food Security in Sheet’ká, Alaska

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) is the federally recognized Tribal government in Sheet’ká (Sitka, Alaska), the traditional homelands of the Tlingít people. STA represents 4,997 enrolled Tribal citizens (as of June 2024) and is responsible for the health, welfare, safety, and culture of its citizens. As a leader in traditional food security and cultural stewardship, STA seeks to expand access to garden space, educational resources, and local food systems to promote food sovereignty and economic resilience for generations to come. Through their new project, Creating a Tribal Community Garden for Traditional Food Security in Sheet’ká, Alaska, STA seeks to grow its Traditional Foods Program and strengthen Tribal food security through the construction of a Tribal Community Garden. The garden will house 50 raised beds: 23 for the Tribe to grow produce for distribution, 2 for students in the Sitka Native Education Program, and 25 available to Tribal citizens.