Rhode Island Foundation to Partner with PPLT on Indigenous Food Sovereignty Program

The Rhode Island Foundation has awarded the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust a one-year Responsive Grant to support the Indigenous Food Sovereignty work in Southern Rhode Island. Program activities include building backyard gardens for Indigenous families and training the families in caring for the gardens using traditional practices. The initiative is headed by Musquant Nompashim Netas, leader of the Ninigret Nehantic Nahaganset Clan and Chief Sequan Pijaki, Chairman of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the state’s largest funder of RI nonprofit organizations. It was organized at the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Co. in June 1916 by a small group of prominent Rhode Islanders and was modeled after the first community foundation established in Cleveland. The Foundation’s Responsive Grant program supports initiatives that address urgent community needs. The grants are awarded to organizations across the nonprofit sector – regardless of the subject-matter or area of need that they focus on.

“Once again, we are grateful for our partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation,” said Chief Sequan Pijaki. “Their consistent support has really helped us grow our land, farm, and food programs throughout the state.”