After nearly eight years of transformative leadership, Mahpiya Luta bids a heartfelt farewell to Katie Ackerman, who has served as the guiding force behind our Food Sovereignty Program. Katie’s work has not only cultivated gardens and local food systems but also nurtured the hearts and minds of our students and community members.
Under Katie’s vision and direction, what began as an idea has grown into a robust and impactful program. Today, the Food Sovereignty Program proudly employs three full-time staff and three summer interns providing meaningful employment, expanding our community’s knowledge of traditional food systems, and building institutional capacity.
Katie’s influence is felt in every layer of our community: in each garden bed planted, every egg served in our cafeteria, each tree that takes root on our campus, and every student who now sees food not just as sustenance, but as cultural identity and connection.
To honor her incredible service, the Mahpiya Luta community held a special honoring ceremony. A traditional honoring song was sung in her name, and Katie was given a star quilt, a powerful symbol of our gratitude and recognition of her impact. In addition, Sacred Heart Church in Pine Ridge held a public honoring for Katie and her family following Mass, offering a moment of prayer and reflection for her years of service and dedication to the community.
As Katie turns the page to a new chapter in her journey, she leaves behind a thriving department, transformed food systems, and countless lives enriched by her passion and commitment. Her legacy will continue to grow with every seed planted, every meal shared, and every lesson passed on.
We are proud to announce that Esperanza Hartman, Mahpiya Luta alumna and OST member, will step into the role of Food Sovereignty Director. Esperanza brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the work, and we look forward to seeing the program continue to flourish under her leadership. More to come on Esperanza in the coming days.
Wopila tanka, Katie your work has truly made our community stronger.
