Understanding reservation hunger: Food acquisition and food security among the Northern Cheyenne

The problem of hunger and poverty in the United States is unmistakably one of an inability to participate in the economic systems that surround food provisioning due to a lack of resources. Native Americans are widely recognized as one of the most economically disadvantaged populations in the United States. The Northern Cheyenne represent a group that experiences poverty and hunger at an exceptionally high level. As an extreme case study, this project examines patterns and implications of food provisioning choices that may be relevant to other groups that experience food insecurity as well.;While the range of food provisioning strategies used by participants is significant and really stunning, the majority of existing research stops at the documentation of these sources. This project adds conceptually and methodologically to this literature by examining not only the sources of food reportedly used by households, but also the combinations of sources used as strategies in food provisioning. This is done through the application of a cluster analysis to show the patterns in which households actually use food sources together on the reservation. In addition, the relationships between household use of food sources and strategies and food security levels are examined. Thus, this project attempts to start a conversation not only about the types of choices that households must make, but how this is happening and what it looks like for limited resource households.;The purpose of this study is to document food security levels on the reservation and to assess the relationships to household and respondent characteristics, food sources, programs and strategies that Northern Cheyenne households use to acquire food. A variety of analytical tools are used to accomplish this, including frequencies, cross-tabulation, binomial and multinomial logistical regressions and cluster analysis. Levels of household food security are measured through the 18 question USDA Food Security Core Module. Questions on food source use were developed from previous research in this population and categories were collapsed into dichotomous categories of use and non-use for most of the analysis for this project.;Using the livelihoods perspective to understand food source use, we see that households use the food sources and strategies that reflect their capitals and capabilities. It also appears that households will use the most "productive" or reliable food sources first. As expected, clustering the food sources shows greater clarity for these food provisioning patterns on the reservation, and show that sources are grouped into understandable combinations. Overall, households that have access to more reliable and valuable resources (such as wages or fixed income transfers) are more likely to reach food security. Conversely, households that use more risky food sources (such as pawning or churches) are more likely to have food insecurity.;An understanding of the implications of choices that people must make to acquire enough food for their households each month can inform future policies and programs. This has implications for the Northern Cheyenne who could clearly benefit from a greater understanding of their situation to act to re-empower their community. But as a theoretical guide, this instrumental case study also has applications to other food insecure groups---especially rural communities---throughout the world. Furthermore, this can hopefully prompt new ways of thinking and organizing food and food programs and systems. This research points to the reality of food insecurity and hunger in the United States and will hopefully provoke discussion about the resources and systems underlying food provisioning activities in this country.