Chelsie’s Journey: Revitalizing Indigenous Food Traditions in Southwest Colorado
Written by Tenejah Mathis of Trailhead Institute, made possible by the shared knowledge, expertise and work of Chelsie Begoody, Regional Health Connector (RHC) in Region 9 and the partnership of Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SWCAHEC).
Pictured: Chelsie Begoody serves as the RHC for Region 9.
Chelsie’s journey as a Regional Health Connector for Region 9 began roughly a year ago, rooted in personal experiences and a deep commitment to her community’s well-being. Her host organization, the Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SWCAHEC), focuses on improving rural health in the southwest counties of Colorado. Chelsie’s journey began with an internship where she created an Indigenous recipe booklet aimed at addressing food insecurity and related health issues among indigenous populations. Despite initial uncertainty, Chelsie delved into the importance of Indigenous food sovereignty, engaging cultural experts, and working with a registered dietician to highlight how traditional recipes are filled with nutrition.
“I had this idea in my head of how the nutrition education I was getting was not fitting to who I was as an Indigenous person.” -Chelsie Begoody, Region 9 RHC
When Chelsie started her role as a Regional Health Connector, she expanded her focus to include education and awareness around the historical and cultural contexts of Indigenous foods. Healthcare providers were not always aligned with the communities they serve. Chelsie aimed to bridge this gap.
She offered training and resources tailored to the unique experiences of her community and after she returned to her reservation, Chelsie faced the challenges of inaccessibility firsthand, inspiring her to pursue a career in public health with a focus on nutrition.
We do a lot of education training because one thing that’s missing is education and awareness around Indigenous foods, and the historical context of them. -Chelsie Begoody, Region 9 RHC
Central to Chelsie’s approach was building and leveraging partnerships with Indigenous farmers, growers, community organizations, and healthcare providers. By immersing herself in the community and actively participating in cultural practices like farming, she fostered trust and collaboration, ensuring her work was grounded in the community’s needs and realities. Through workshops, classes, and community events, Chelsie aimed to increase access to culturally relevant foods and promote Indigenous food education. Her vision emphasized the sustainability of her efforts and empowered community members to reclaim their cultural heritage through food.
Chelsie partners with Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, The Old Fort, and Durango 9R School District to bring a series of Indigenous foods classes and workshops to the region, along with educational materials for the community and healthcare providers. These workshops are primarily funded by SNAP-Ed for Indigenous Communities of Colorado and run throughout the summer into the harvesting season. Their core purpose is for the Indigenous community to have access to their traditional food ways. Chelsie believes that Indigenous food is not only something to nourish people but also an essential aspect of the identity of Indigenous people.
Chelsie’s journey exemplifies the power of combining personal passion with professional expertise to effect meaningful change in her community. Her local priority project focuses primarily on food and nutrition-related work in Southwest Colorado. As she continues her work as a Regional Health Connector, her dedication to promoting health equity and cultural revitalization has remained unwavering, leaving a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Indigenous populations in Region 9.
This project has allowed me to connect with partners across the region and more importantly, create opportunities for the Indigenous community to have access to their cultural foods. -Chelsie Begoody, Region 9 RHC
With Gratitude To
Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center
This work would not be possible without the partnership and collaboration of Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center (SWCAHEC) as the host organization for the Regional Health Connector position in Region 9. SWCAHEC is a non-profit organization that strives to improve rural health in the eight SW counties of Colorado and places a strong emphasis on supporting rural primary care, community health, and on developing a pipeline of students who will eventually be the region’s health professionals.