MFSI Mission Statement

Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative works to enable the Mvskoke people and their neighbors to provide for their food and health needs now and in the future through sustainable agriculture, economic development, community involvement, cultural and educational programs.

Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative (MFSI) is a grassroots, Native American led organization located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, capitol of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.  The Mvskoke people were indigenous to what is now the Southeast United States and are an American Indian federally recognized tribe.  Mvskoke food heritage and traditions goes back in time long before the Trail of Tears forced them to Oklahoma. For centuries the Mvskoke maintained a successful agriculture based culture that sustained large populations living in towns along the rivers and creeks (so European settlers called them “Creek Indians”).  These were the “mound builders” who developed a sophisticated civilization, taking care of the food, spiritual and political needs of their people.  

      Today these cultures still exist as the Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee and Yuchi tribes.  The respective languages are still used by many and the ceremonial dances, songs and practices are still carried on.  Growing, preserving and using traditional foods plays an important role in cultural activities.  MFSI seeks to preserve the food heritage and traditions of these Indigenous peoples through hands-on classes, educational programs, intergenerational sharing and  sustainable agriculture practices.

Board of Directors

Rebecca Lindsey (Mvskoke)                    Jackson Barnett (Mvskoke)                        

Odette Freeman (Mvskoke)                       Darrel Fox (Mvskoke)     

Rebecca Lindsey is an active community and civic leader on the tribal, local and national levels.  She was honored by the Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation as 2006 Outstanding Elder.  
  
Jackson Barnett is a full-blood Mvskoke citizen who is a fluent speaker of the language.  He serves as the Manager of Senior Services for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and teaches weekly language lessons at the Tulsa Creek Indian Center.  In his leisure time he enjoys fishing.

Odette Freeman is the Administrative Assistant to Second Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, traditional singer, and cook.

Darrell Fox is a businessman, former Muscogee (Creek) Nation Deputy Director of Tribal Affairs. Has traveled extensively internationally and worked in energy industry.

Advisory Committee

Johnnie Brasuell (Mvskoke) – MCN Diabetes Program Director

Sharon Iverson- MCN Diabetes Program Dietitian

Emman Spain (Seminole)– MCN Cultural Preservation

John West (Cheyenne)– Horticulturist

Yvette Wiley (Mvskoke) – MCN Environmental Services

Lou Fixico (Mvskoke) –  MCN Elderly Nutrition Services

Donna Williams (Mvskoke) –MCN citizenship Office

Ex Officio Members

Lester Ligons - USDA/NRCS tribal liaison

William (Bud) McCombs (Mvskoke) - Hunter, Fisher, Gardener

Staff

Vicky Karhu - Executive Director of MFSI, Project Director for the USDA/CSREES Community Food Planning Project and Project Manager for the Diversifying Leadership for Sustainable Food Policy and Mvskoke Food Heritage Documentary projects. Organic market gardener. 
 

Ben Yahola (Mvskoke) - Community Coordinator

Dicey Barnett (Mvskoke) - Office Manager

June Marshall (Kiowa) - Administrative Assistant

Rita Willams (Mvskoke) - Community Educator

Anthony (Chako) Ciocco (Mvskoke) - Youth Coordinator

Cassandra Thompson (Mvskoke) - Communications Coordinator

A majority of the Board, Advisory Committee and staff are Muscogee (Creek) citizens.

MVTO to Jesse Smith Noyes Foundation, Seventh Generation Fund, USDA/CSREES, Reach Legacy Program, Hostgator, First Nations Development Institute, Honor the Earth Fund of the Tides Foundation, SSAWGT&TA and our friends who have donated time and money to MFSI.