Mary Beth Jäger (Citizen Potawatomi/Xicana/German descent) is a tamale enthusiast, food on the water admirer, sweet on pan dulce, fangirl of the Three Sisters (corn/squash/beans), and the list goes on. Besides being a big fan of food, Jäger believes that food is medicine, central to cultural,  and the importance of working toward food sovereignty particularly Indigenous food sovereignty.

At The University of Arizona, Mary Beth works as a research analyst for the Native Nations Institute (NNI).  Her work at the NNI expands across a diverse range of Indigenous governance areas. As usual food projects found Jäger at work. Over the last several years, Jäger has served as a co-lead and co-PI for the Indigenous Foods Knowledges Network , funded by the National Science Foundation (Award Number 1745499) and part of Navigating the New Arctic Initiative. The goal of this research coordination network is “to a develop a network comprised of Indigenous leaders, community practitioners, and scholars (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) who are focused on research and community capacity related to food sovereignty and Indigenous Knowledges” in the Arctic and US Southwest (ifkn.org). In addition, she serves as a co-PI for the comparative study of COVID-19 impacts on Indigenous individuals’ food access, security and sovereignty in Alaska and the U.S. Southwest (NSF-OPP Award Numbers 203516). One key aspect of these two projects is co-producing knowledge with fellow Indigenous collaborators.

Overall, as a research analyst Mary Beth Jäger accountable to Indigenous Peoples, the land and non-human kin she works with on various projects. She feels honored to be serving on this Community Advisory Board.