RaeAnna Rabang

RaeAnna Rabang is a Master of Professional Studies in Indigenous Governance at the University of Arizona Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program at the College of Law. Her advisor is Miriam Jorgensen. Ms. Rabang’s project “Traditional Foods: Resurging through Old Knowledge” aims to breathe new life into the time-honored food traditions of the Coast Salish Peoples. In collaboration with Nourishing Nations, an Indigenous-led food bank in the Sto:lo Territory of coastal British Columbia, it explores a variety of approaches to reviving ancestral food practices, such as salmon fishing and native plant cultivation, in environments affected by colonization, industrialization, and resource extraction. The project seeks to bridge the gap between past and present by connecting with practiced harvesters, compiling educational materials, hosting hands-on workshops, and conducting outreach via social media. Resources such as photo exhibitions and storybooks also will be used to promote the significance of traditional food sourcing. By designing and then assessing these community engagement efforts, this research aspires to secure and uphold Coast Salish heritage, traditional rights, and food sovereignty for generations to come.

For more information please visit the Native Nations Institute website.