This month, UNITY Earth Ambassador Codie Horse-Topetchy, Kiowa, Comanche, and Otoe-Missouria, spent a transformative week at the Native Youth in Food and Agriculture Leadership Summit hosted by the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas Law School. Selected for the Animal Science track, she immersed herself in workshops and field trips that deepened her knowledge of tribal agriculture and strengthened her commitment to food sovereignty.
Throughout the program, Codie gained hands-on experience in parasitology, disease recognition in large animals, ultra-sounding, animal handling, rotational grazing, and meat processing. These lessons were taught in partnership with tribal agriculture producers in Oklahoma, offering her practical insights that directly connect to her work back home.
Beyond the technical skills, Codie engaged in powerful conversations with her cohort about their shared dedication to preserving cultural food practices. She spoke with pride about her Kiowa people, their relationship to the land, and their reliance on buffalo as a main food source. These discussions reinforced the importance of passing down food traditions as a way to maintain both physical sustenance and cultural identity.
One central theme that emerged was the resilience of Indigenous food systems. While colonization disrupted traditional foodways, Codie emphasized that they were never lost. “Our people are adaptive, resilient, and working relentlessly in food sovereignty initiatives across the country to preserve our life ways,” she said. These exchanges fueled her vision of communities with thriving, self-sustaining food systems once again.
At the summit’s conclusion, Codie presented a capstone project on rotational grazing as a preventative measure for parasites in large animals, highlighting how reintroducing native grasses can improve herd health. She found the connection between ecological restoration and animal wellness especially meaningful and is eager to apply these practices with her bison relatives.
For Codie, one of the most rewarding parts of the program was building friendships with other Native youth committed to food sovereignty and agriculture in their communities. The sense of unity among the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and leaders left her inspired and hopeful for the future.
Reflecting on the experience, Codie shared, “Our tribal communities around the country rely on food sovereignty initiatives to not only feed our people, but to maintain our connection to our ancestors, the land, and our cultures. I was glad to spend the week with the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and food sovereignty leaders in Indian Country.”
The UNITY Earth Ambassador program empowers Native youth leaders from across the country to develop and lead environmental service projects rooted in both traditional ecological knowledge and modern sustainability practices. The 2025–2026 cohort, of which Codie is a part, represents diverse Tribal Nations and regions, each working on unique initiatives ranging from water rights advocacy to food sovereignty and clean energy education. Together, they are building a collective movement of young Indigenous environmental leaders who are protecting the planet while strengthening their cultural connections for future generations.