Empowering Food Accessibility: How Crow Organizations are Transforming Reservations

The Crow Reservation faces a major challenge: accessing healthy food. For many residents, finding nutritious options isn’t easy. A few local nonprofits are stepping in to make a difference.

Organizations like Plenty Doors Community Development are crucial in this fight. Executive Director Charlene Johnson highlights that local gas stations, which often serve as food hubs, can’t compare to larger grocery stores in bigger cities like Billings. “It’s not like we can just hop over to Walmart,” she says.

Another key player is Spotted Tail Holistic Health, launched by Edwina Alden-Perez in 2022. Edwina emphasizes the importance of local gardening and educating the community about health issues like diabetes and hypertension. “Many can’t afford to travel to get better food options,” she explains, linking income levels directly to food accessibility.

Adding to the conversation, JoRee LaFrance, a doctoral candidate, co-founded Apsaalooke Immiio. This nonprofit looks at how the Crow can become self-reliant, which she believes is vital for community empowerment. “Solutions must come from within our community,” LaFrance states.

All three nonprofits have launched a survey to gather data on food needs within the community. This information is key for driving change. As LaFrance puts it, it’s about truly understanding community needs—not just imposing solutions.

Meanwhile, the Crow Tribe Fish and Game Commission is working to revive the local bison population. Chaz Bends, who manages the program, reports that they’ve increased the herd from 286 to over 400 since April. Their initiative aims to provide nutritious, locally sourced food. Recently, they distributed over 1,000 pounds of bison meat to families, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response.

Bends reflects on his family’s history with bison and expresses his commitment to making healthy food accessible for everyone. He is collaborating with Spotted Tail Holistic Health to share easy recipes using bison meat, promoting healthier eating habits.

Community leaders believe that enhancing food resilience is bringing the tribe closer. Johnson notes that tackling these challenges is sparking creativity within the community. “When faced with obstacles, we become more innovative,” she says.

This movement highlights how grassroots efforts can lead to real change. Through community collaboration and local knowledge, the Crow Reservation is finding ways to improve food access and health outcomes for its residents.

For more insights on food accessibility issues, check out the USDA’s [Food Access Research Atlas](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/).

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