During National Indigenous History Month, we are reflecting on the rich agrarian histories and traditions of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island, the ways in which colonialism caused deep harm to Indigenous food sovereignty and food systems, and the ways in which Indigenous peoples are cultivating their relationships with seed-saving and farming today.
We invite you to take time this month to hear directly from Indigenous peoples who have graciously shared their knowledge on Indigenous food sovereignty, food systems, seed-saving, and agriculture:
🌽 Learn from Jacob Beaton of Tea Creek about the impact of colonialism on Indigenous food systems, and the growing Indigenous Food Sovereignty movement:
Tea Creek – Absolutely Canadian – CBC Gem
🫘 Learn from Dr. Lyla June Johnston about examples of abundant Indigenous food systems in the past and present:
Architects of Abundance: Indigenous Regenerative Food Systems & the Excavation of Hidden History
🌻 Learn from Elissia Ferguson about rebuilding a relationship with Indigenous seed saving, the three sisters, and heirloom seed varieties:
Indigenous Seed Saving with Elissia Ferguson
🌽 Learn from Celeste Smith of Ga Gitigemi Gamik (We Will Plant Lodge) about the deep importance of seed-saving and traditional agricultural practices for Indigenous women:
Ga Gitigemi Gamik (We Will Plant Lodge) – Depth of Field | Profondeur de champ
🫘 Learn from Charles Catchpole of Gitigaanes Anishinaabe Urban Micro-Farm about the diverse variety of squash and beans traditionally grown on Turtle Island, and why you might find only a few in your supermarket:
Gitigaanes Anishinaabe Urban Micro-Farm – Depth of Field | Profondeur de champ
🌻 Explore resources shared by the Treaty Land Sharing Network to learn about the importance of affirming and implementing Treaty relationships, sharing the land, and making it safer and easier for Indigenous people to access land to practice their way of life:
Treaty Land Sharing Network – Resources
Photo credit: Elissia Ferguson