fbpx
facebook app symbol  twitter  linkedin  instagram 1
 

Join Levi Rickert, founder of Native News Online, as he interviews former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Dr. Anna Herby on what needs to change in the federal dietary guidelines. 

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is made up of 20 nationally recognized nutrition and public health experts, tasked with reviewing nutrition science to develop an independent report to inform the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. DGAC’s recommendation will be made available in October and the guidelines are set to be published in 2025.

Never miss Indian Country’s biggest stories and breaking news. Sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. 

For the first time, the DGAC includes a Native American, Dr. Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan (Choctaw). Jernigan is a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.

Nez and Harby will discuss their efforts in advocating for shifting federal dietary guidelines and programs to recommend traditional indigenous foods like corn, beans, squash, and berries, which are shown to be more affordable and healthier in the long term.

Learn more about Jonathan Nez here and Dr. Anna Herby here.


Tune in to Native Bidaské LIVE this Friday, June 14th at 12 Noon ET on Native News Online's Facebook, X (Twitter), or YouTube channel.

More Stories Like This

Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
The 2024 Water Resources Development Act is a Big Win for Pacific Northwest Tribes
Senate Approves H.R. 9076, Supporting America’s Children and Families Act
Chickasaw Nation: Bringing Holiday Cheer to Families

Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?

Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.

Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.

Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today. 

Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.

No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.

About The Author
Elyse Wild
Author: Elyse WildEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Senior Health Editor
Elyse Wild is Senior Health Editor for Native News Online, where she leads coverage of health equity issues including mental health, environmental health, maternal mortality, and the overdose crisis in Indian Country. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The Guardian, McClatchy newspapers, and NPR affiliates. In 2024, she received the inaugural Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award for her solutions-focused reporting on addiction and recovery in Native communities. She is currently working on a Pulitzer Center-funded series exploring cultural approaches to addiction treatment.