At Sicangu Co, we are not immune from the impact of federal politics and the chaos of the funding freeze and cutbacks. In fact, as an Indigenous organization working to address social inequities, the programs that may have aligned with our work are likely in the crosshairs of this hostile administration.

The past few weeks have brought about new challenges and caused our team a lot of stress and anxiety. But despite the chaos brought about by the current administration, our work must go on.

On February 21, our fears were confirmed when we unexpectedly received a termination letter for one of our signed federal awards. We were shocked and confused by the USDA Forest Service's decision to rescind funding that had already been committed to us, and dozens of other tribal communities.

The award would have allowed us to expand our community food production efforts by planting an orchard and also enhance our home garden program by providing fruit bushes and fruit trees to families facing food insecurity.

Donations to this campaign will help fill the gap left by loss of this grant, and protect against the potential termination of other awards.

Among the costs included the grant were:

7 berry bushes for 60 families per year for three years (part of our home garden program)
- $350/family; $63,000 total
4 fruit trees for 60 families per year for three years (part of our home garden program)
- $400/family; $72,000 total
900 berry bushes for local production at Keya Wakpala garden and home site
- $45,000 total
70 fruit trees for Keya Wakpala orchard
- $7,000 total
Planting and tree care supplies (fencing and tubing to protect from deer and pests, weed mat, irrigation buckets)
- $97,000 total

Also included in the proposal were additional community tree planting activities, pay for day labor, and a portion of the salary for the staff member. In total, the grant award was for $547,472 over three years.

If you are able to provide substantial funding toward this effort and would like to avoid payment processing fees, please reach out to Brandi Charging Eagle at brandi@sicangu.co

Sicangu Co Federal Resiliency Fund

By Sicangu Community Development Corporation

Sicangu Co Federal Resiliency Fund

Thriving through political attacks and chaos

Team Members