Paige Priest (Seneca Nation) - First-Year Medical Student

Project Title: Advocating for Indigenous Food Sovereignty through FDPIR Grant Research

Paige Priest focused her Healers Community Circle project on identifying funding opportunities to enhance the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) for the Seneca Nation. Drawing on her master’s thesis, Paige researched ways to incorporate culturally and regionally relevant foods into tribal food programs—emphasizing food sovereignty, nutritional access, and Indigenous wellness.

Her project highlighted several grant opportunities that could reimagine FDPIR as a more empowering and community-driven initiative, including:

• Grants to redesign FDPIR sites to look and feel like grocery stores, improving visibility and access.

• Funding to source locally grown and traditional foods for program distribution.

• Support for building tribal greenhouses to grow food directly within the community.
  

While Paige faced challenges connecting directly with her tribe’s FDPIR office—likely impacted by changes following the tribal elections—she gained valuable insight into available resources and remains determined to share this information when the opportunity arises.

Despite administrative hurdles, Paige’s research reflects a deep commitment to Indigenous food systems, tribal health, and long-term community wellness.

A Message to Future Healers:

“Whatever journey you’re on—it’s okay if it’s not linear. You have a community cheering you on. Remember, it’s your path, no one else’s.

If you ever have to leave home, carry pieces of it with you. Our traditions are always there when we return. Stay connected however you can, and know that home is waiting for you.”

Paige's journey to medical school is marked by resilience, determination, and a deep-rooted commitment to her Native community. Graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies on the pre-medical track, alongside minors in sociology and biology, she continued her academic pursuits at Cornell University, earning a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in food systems and health. After a year off working as a nanny, Paige pursued her dream of attending medical school, enrolling at Wy’East before ultimately being accepted into the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Inspired by her father's passing and her grandmother's health journey, Paige's passion for becoming a Native physician blossomed, driven by a desire to provide culturally sensitive care and prevent others from experiencing the loss she endured. In her free time, Paige finds solace in beading and coffee shop visits, channeling her artistic expression and seeking peaceful moments amidst her busy journey toward becoming a physician.