We are proud to announce that Esperanza Hartman (Class of 2018) has stepped into the role of Director of Food Sovereignty at Maȟpíya Lúta! A dedicated alumna, Esperanza brings a deep passion for social justice and a commitment to revitalizing food systems in our community.
Since joining the team as Lakota Cultural Foods Coordinator in June 2022, Esperanza has been at the forefront of harvesting and foraging traditional foods, teaching in classrooms, and leading narrative change work around our community being labeled a “food desert.” For Esperanza, food sovereignty is more than just a program — it’s a powerful way to combine her drive for social justice with tangible solutions that reconnect us to our land, culture, and each other.
“I’m excited to get into the community more,” Esperanza shared. “We want to do more workshops, potentially expand our farmers market — maybe work with our churches for some community offerings to create access, opportunity, and connection.”
Most recently, Esperanza delivered a powerful presentation at the Jesuit Integral Ecology Assembly this June in Chicago, highlighting Maȟpíya Lúta’s food sovereignty initiatives. She shared how our work is rooted in Lakota values, community connection, and land-based healing. She emphasized the importance of Indigenous leadership in addressing ecological challenges and described how our programs not only grow food but cultivate knowledge, wellness, and cultural revitalization.
When she’s not championing food sovereignty, you might find Esperanza embracing her love of horror — she’s a self-proclaimed horror enthusiast who “loves to be scared, but only in a controlled environment!”
Please join us in congratulating Esperanza Hartman on this new chapter. We can’t wait to see where her vision and leadership take our Food Sovereignty work next!