Rock Creek High School sophomore Kaylee McDonald, a proud member of the High School Student Services (HSSS) Agriculture Learning Community, recently represented the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as the only Choctaw tribal member youth participant at the prestigious 2024 Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) Annual Conference in Las Vegas. IAC covered all expenses for this incredible opportunity, highlighting the significance of her selection.
Kaylee was recognized as one of the Top 40 Essay Winners in the nation for her insightful response to the prompt: “What is my vision for what the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee can do for Indian Country?” Drawing from her hands-on experience with the Choctaw Nation Agriculture Department through the 477 Youth Employment Services Program, she provided impactful recommendations to shape the future of agriculture in Indian Country.
This past summer, Kaylee worked alongside Macy Cartwright, a Soil Conservation Planner, gaining valuable insight into how the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma provides technical assistance and education to tribal members, agriculture producers, and communities. Through workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on agricultural education, Kaylee assisted field technicians Jeffrey Roebuck and Jeremiah Roberston in planting gardens, growing Choctaw squash, and learning about aquaponics. She contributed to demonstrations and field days at Choctaw Nation Child Care Centers and the Agriculture Demonstration Center at Lehigh, teaching about milk production. Additionally, she assisted Jody House, Livestock Show Coordinator, with preparations for the 2025 Choctaw Nation Livestock Show.
During the conference, Kaylee engaged with youth from across Indian Country and proudly represented Oklahoma by carrying the Choctaw Nation flag during the flag procession in traditional dress. She attended workshops on native agriculture, IAC policies, food sovereignty, USDA programs, and professional development. At the American Indian Foods Luncheon, featuring a menu designed by Ho-Chunk Nation Executive Chef Elena Terry, Kaylee spoke to luncheon attendees about the Choctaw Beef and Pecan Program and the impact of Choctaw Ranches on Southeast Oklahoma.
Kaylee also connected with representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), USDA, NRCS, Native American Agriculture Fund, and IAC Technical Assistance Specialists Jeff Caskey and Quinton Inman. Reflecting on the experience, she shared: “The conference allowed me to explore and gain valuable knowledge of how IAC impacts native agriculture and continues to make strides in Indian Country and Washington D.C. Through this conference, I have made valuable connections that will support my FFA SAE project and my future goal to become a DO, connecting agriculture to medicine in rural and native areas.”
A dedicated leader, Kaylee serves as the Rock Creek FFA Chapter President, a Cadet Airman in the Civil Air Patrol, a National Society of High School Scholars Ambassador, and a Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board member. She plans to join the Air National Guard after high school, pursue a BSN to work as a nurse in the Guard, and ultimately attend medical school to obtain a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) specializing in rural healthcare.
Kaylee is the daughter of tribal member Janell McDonald, Senior Program Manager of High School Student Services, and Josh and Jennifer McDonald, of Bokchito, OK. She is the granddaughter of Jim and Sherri Sallee of Soper, OK. Jim is the Director of Transportation Roads and Bridges—the niece of Kasey Sallee, a Physical Therapist Assistant at the Choctaw Nation Durant Regional Medical Clinic.