As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month, Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) reflects on the deep connection between the land we cultivate and the Indigenous cultures that have stewarded it for generations. This isn’t just a space for agriculture - it’s a living, sacred land, rich with history and cultural significance. The connection to the land runs even deeper for many of our growers and employees, who have grown up on the reservation, forming bonds beyond corporate partnerships. These long-standing relationships, built on trust and respect, are a testament to the shared commitment to the land and its people.

"When Hops Were Picked By Hand" Mural by Robert Thomas depicting hop farms and Native Americans who would gather to pick hops during harvest.

YCH is dedicated to learning from and with Indigenous communities. For generations, our community has been enriched by cultural exchanges with the Yakama Nation, whose reservation spans 1.2 million acres. 

We’ve gained a deeper understanding through learning meaningful words in the Yakama language, like Pínanaknúwixa Taminwa (Our Obligation for All Time), and Wak´íshwit (All living things). The valley we live and grow in has been shaped by Indigenous lore, like the legend of how the trickster coyote formed the Columbia River basin. It’s been a true privilege to experience these stories through oral tradition, passed down verbally from generation to generation - a sharp distinction to written histories, and one that fosters a stronger emotional connection. These cultural insights inform our approach to sustainable agriculture.

For thousands of years, Indigenous practices have utilized sustainable and regenerative farming practices, and these timeless traditions are woven into the fabric of our modern-day sustainability efforts. Recognizing the deep significance of the land - where every drop of water, ray of light, and breath of air holds the spirit of generations. This connection, though often overlooked, is central to our work. As an agricultural organization, the connection to the land we harvest is profound. Nearly 25% of YCH’s total harvest – over 17,000 acres – is grown on tribal land!

Our commitment to supporting our Indigenous community members goes beyond the bines. We’ve formalized a promise to partner with the Yakama Nation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, focusing on corporate social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and economic development. Together, we’re working to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for our shared community.

Yakima Chief Hops & Yakama Nation Annual Earth Day Clean Up Event 

Lisa Garcia, YCH’s Chief People Officer, is now in her 4th year serving as a dedicated board member for the Boys and Girls Club of the Yakama Nation - the only Boys and Girls Club in Yakima  County, which resides on the Yakama Indian Reservation. Open to youth ages 5-18, the club is committed to preserving traditions while promoting growth, wellness, and lifelong success. In her role, Garcia supports the club’s mission by strengthening leadership, finance, safety, and fundraising, helping to carry on the Yakama legacy and empower future generations. “I truly enjoy working with our young Native American leaders by encouraging them to find their voice and instilling confidence in them to become competent leaders,” she shares. 

Lisa Garcia and fellow Boys and Girls Club of the Yakama Nation Board Members and Yakama Nation Tribal Council Members

YCH actively supports community initiatives with fundraisers like the Fresh Hop Ale Festival and golf tournaments and hosts dinners to raise money to support community initiatives. To enrich the experiences of both employees and customers, we incorporate traditional dances and songs into these events. This approach deepens the cross-cultural understanding of Yakama traditions both inside and outside of our organization.

Our support extends further, and recently, has included the fashion and advocacy world. Although a marked difference from our agricultural roots, we are proud to partner with Urban Native Era, a Native-owned clothing brand dedicated to highlighting Indigenous culture through fashion.

Joey Montoya (Lipan Apache) is the Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of Urban Native Era. He has been featured in Cosmopolitan and Vogue, and his designs are currently being sold at REI. “Fashion has always been an integral part of Indigenous culture. Today, it continues to be a way of expressing who we are, the communities we come from, and our connection to land or places,” explains Montoya. “It is becoming a core part of Indigenous gatherings and events. It’s a beautiful way to express ourselves, to feel seen, and it will lead to more Indigenous designers and creatives in the future.”

The origin of Urban Native Era was to increase the visibility of Indigenous people through social media Eventually, it began to incorporate large graphic art pieces highlighting Indigenous issues such as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement, Mauna Kea, Standing Rock, and Oak Flat. Over time, the brand shifted to a more minimal approach, creating statement pieces like the "You Are On Native Land" shirt, and the Hummingbird logo - subtle designs that still carry a powerful message. Today, they have also included basics like white tees and socks, garments that may not immediately appear Indigenous but are crafted by an Indigenous-owned company, adding another layer of authenticity.

Joey Montoya, Founder, Creative Director and CEO of Urban Native Era

Urban Native Era team and Yakima Chief Hops Corporate Social Responsibility team on a hop farm tour.

Partnering with Urban Native Era is a way to amplify Indigenous voices and continuously learn to be better allies, neighbors, and advocates. The creativity, resilience, and cultural pride expressed through Indigenous fashion align perfectly with our broader mission of corporate social responsibility and respect for both the land and its people.

With a significant portion of our hops grown on tribal land, we must acknowledge and honor our Indigenous roots. While our hops have a global reach, we're committed to educating others about their origins and sharing wisdom and experiences that have deepened our understanding of the land and its history.

We are excited to kick off a collaborative process with Urban Native Era, focusing on creative projects that highlight the cultural significance of our hops and the Indigenous communities they support. By working together, we can create meaningful and impactful initiatives that celebrate our shared history and inspire others to learn more about the land and its people.

We also want to hear from our brewing customers about their work amplifying Indigenous voices and promoting cultural awareness within the industry. We invite you to share any initiatives you are working on with ChiefCSR@yakimachief.com. Not sure where to get started? The organizations below work to serve Native communities through different approaches:

Plant With Purpose: Restoring hope by working to reverse the world’s two greatest challenges - global poverty and environmental damage. Plant With Purpose partners with communities to boost reforestation efforts, revitalize the land, and increase food security.

The Indigenous Food Network: Their mission is to rebuild sovereign food systems in Native communities. Recognizing food as medicine, they use an intertribal and multigenerational approach to offering resources on food sovereignty, advocating for policy change, and working to increase access to Indigenous foods in school programs.

The National Congress of American Indians: The oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization. They offer resources on government policy, tribal sovereignty, and cultural preservation.

Together, we can identify ways to increase visibility and carry forward Indigenous communities' cultures, legends, language, and creativity for future generations. Being an ally means more than acknowledgment - it requires action. YCH is committed to listening, learning, and continuously improving our support of Indigenous cultures. As we deepen our understanding of the land’s significance and the sustainable practices rooted in Indigenous wisdom, we encourage others in the brewing industry and beyond to do the same. Recognizing the history of the land and the people who have cared for it is an essential step toward a sustainable future for all.

This Indigenous Peoples Month, and every month, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities. Together, we are working to build a more connected and respectful world, honoring both the earth and the cultures that sustain it.

Yakima Chief Hops takes great pride in operating our business responsibly, emphasizing a focus on long-term success and the conviction that constructing value for both local communities and the planet is every bit as crucial as shareholder value. We work tirelessly to reduce our carbon footprint, lessen dependence on natural resources, and eliminate waste while empowering our communities along the way. We recognize that industry collaboration is the pivotal force for driving meaningful change and hope to inspire others to join us in creating a sustainable future.