Honoring the Traditions of Environmental Stewardship on Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023!
On October 9th, 2023, Food First joins America in honoring the resilience and rich heritage of native Americans on Indigenous Peoples’ Day! A vital part of Native American heritage and tradition is a deep connection to the land and the role we all play as environmental stewards. As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on the ancestral wisdom Native American indigenous communities offer in caring for our shared planet.
Native American people have sustainably managed and protected natural resources for many generations. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, indigenous peoples safeguard 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity.
Native American communities advocate for natural resource management, building and maintaining sustainable food systems, nurturing the environmental health of our lands and waters, promoting biodiversity, and fostering climate-resilient ecosystems. These practices not only provide nutritious food but also promote environmental sustainability. This value system is in stark contrast to a perspective that prioritizes capitalism and profit over the wellbeing of people and the planet.
By honoring Indigenous Native American wisdom, we can create a more equitable and sustainable food future for all.
In a sign of respect for these Native American traditions and the many valuable lessons they impart, we support the Honorable Harvest’s traditional indigenous guidelines as noted here:
- Ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek.
- Abide by the answer.
- Never take the first. Never take the last.
- Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.
- Take only what you need and leave some for others.
- Use everything that you take.
- Take only that which is given to you.
- Share it, as the Earth has shared with you.
- Be grateful.
- Reciprocate the gift.
- Sustain the ones who sustain you, and the Earth will last forever.
At Food First, we recognize that oppression, marginalization, and injustice are at the root of hunger and poverty. We believe in advocating for equitable and sustainable food systems where no one is left behind.
Food First will continue championing research, education, and action to dismantle systemic racism and create food security for all. We are committed to being allies and lifting up the voices of BIPOC communities leading the way. By learning from their lived experiences and ancestral expertise, we can transform unjust structures and preserve our planet.
There is no food justice without racial justice. We believe in people-powered solutions that honor the dignity and agency of BIPOC communities. Together, by centering their needs and leadership, we can cultivate an equitable food system that respects and honors indigenous traditions for generations to come.