Our Projects
Aquaponics is an innovative agricultural system that harnesses recirculating water technology to raise both fish and produce. The fish and produce are part of a symbiotic relationship, with the fish providing fertilizer necessary for plant growth, and the plants cleansing the fish habitat.
What is Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is an innovative agricultural system that harnesses recirculating water technology to raise both fish and produce in a closed-loop, symbiotic environment.
What is Aquaponics? →Why is it a solution for fresh food on reservations?
To provide this new technology to the Native American community, The Sheena V Foundation is partnering with Symbiotic Aquaponics, a national, award-winning company that specializes in custom aquaponic system designs, commercial builds, and community education and outreach.
Aquaponics addresses the challenges of growing produce in harsh climates and with limited water resources that many reservations face. It also has a faster turnaround time than conventional agriculture, and a higher nutritional value than the produce found in most grocery aisles.
How can I learn more?
If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities of working with Sheena V. Foundation on an aquaponics project in your community, please reach out to us using our contact form.
Why are we working to improve Native American children's health & wellness?
Native Americans have…
A TWO TIMES HIGHER RATE OF DIABETES THAN WHITES
A SIXTY-EIGHT PERCENT INCREASE IN DIABETES AMONG TEENS
NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE II, VERSUS TYPE I, DIABETES
THIRTY PERCENT OF THE POPULATION WITH PRE-DIABETES
Symbiotic Aquaponic
A national, award-winning company that specializes in custom Aquaponic system designs, commercial builds, and community education and outreach.
"We have a partnership with the Kiowa Public School FFA. We built a custom Aquaponic system at the school utilizing an existing greenhouse structure. The school's horticulture class and the FFA use the system as an interactive learning tool. The Aquaponics system also helps supplement the school's cafeteria with fresh herbs and other produce."
Recently the students have begun marketing the herbs to local health food stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. The proceeds from the sales are divided between the business and the Kiowa FFA. Students from the school were recognized on a state level by the Oklahoma FFA for their work with the Aquaponic project, resulting in one student receiving a scholarship for her efforts.
Since the project began at Kiowa, there has been increased community awareness about local food and local food production — not limited to the school children. Soon parents followed suit. Kiowa is a successful proof of concept that can be replicated in communities who currently experience food insecurity.
"We're proud to announce that Symbiotic Aquaponic is teaming-up with the Sheena V. Foundation in effort to reach out and support Native American youth."
We are honored to announce our sponsorship for the first implementation of Aquaponic Systems for the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma with our partners — Symbiotic Aquaponic LLC, of Talihina, OK!
Grow Green for Native American Children
"Grow Up with Us"
— Neysa Osborne, Founder
Comments from Chief Johnson of the Seminole Nation — Oklahoma:
"We are excited about the cooperative projects planned in our 'Path to a Healthy Prosperous Future'. I will call a meeting of all the essential programs which I believe will be more than willing to contribute in making this a success. The diabetes prevention program already has an active youth program which encourages a healthy active lifestyle — one component of this is a running club. The director also wanted to incorporate a gardening aspect into their activities."
"I believe this can promote what is called generational connectivity — the ability to reestablish the youth with their elder generation can only lead to a positive outcome. Growing produce to help contribute to these individuals will be rewarding in multiple areas. This will promote team building and perhaps teach some skills that can carry into their adult lives, contributing to living longer productive lives, as well as establishing a foundation of wellness which will contribute to future generations."
"I worked to secure a location for the 10 beds to be located in proximity to the Food Nutrition and Distribution Program and Diabetes/Prevention Program. We have a new facility with a weight/exercise room and a full kitchen for healthy food demonstration. A very nice Greenhouse with the heating apparatus included will act as the staging area for the 10 bed system."
Project Gallery
Photographer — Joe Clay
The goal is to ensure local food production while promoting education, empowerment, natural resource conservation, and self-determination among Native American Children.