A New Look at Native American Farming

Native American farming is nothing new.  In most American schools, we were taught that, in general, Native Americans were hunters and gatherers who hadn't "advanced" to the level of civilization where growing food and raising livestock were part of their culture.  Growing food and raising livestock may have been the culture for a few, however, not nearly for all.  That doesn't mean there was a lack in advancement of civilization for those who did not.  In fact, I would suggest that even those perceived to be hunters and gatherers were very mindful of the way they hunted and gathered. It is obvious in my mind that they made an effort to ensure a new crop, or herd, would be available for them each and every season, for whatever it was they were harvesting, by managing the land and using harvesting practices that would sustain themselves and future generations.  Isn't this the epitome of the farming mentality?

I think our educators only taught us one side (the white side) of the story regarding Native Americans and their food systems.  I believe their food systems were just as managed and just as bountiful as the European food systems.  It's just that their food system took on a different type of management, one that coincided differently with nature, and therefore wasn't as recognizable to the European and therefore not considered farming or agriculture.  In the little amount of study and observation regarding traditional and modern Native American food systems I have concluded that what they have done, and are doing, can aptly be considered farming and agriculture.

There are some exciting things happening in Native America, i.e. Indian Country, regarding food systems and sustainable agriculture.  This article will include some examples of those exciting things.  But first, before those examples are given, I'd like to explain what I feel is the motivation behind Native American food systems.  The motivational factor is sovereignty.  In other words, self-sufficiency, self-determination, and self-governance.  How can a nation remain sovereign if it is completely dependent on an outside entity to feed itself?  Answer:  it can't.  Without your own food system, there is no sovereignty, only servitude.  So it behooves a people, who wish to remain independent, and considered sovereign, to maintain their own food system, that is resilient to outside forces.

One of my favorite examples of contemporary Native American farming is found in the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.  Called the Oneida Community Integrated Food Systems (OCIFS), it is a full circle food system, where food is grown, processed, distributed, sold/purchased, and consumed locally near Green Bay, WI.  A closed loop food system that combines modern and traditional farming practices in in order to sustain the people physically and culturally.  Traditionally, the Oneidas were farmers who, along with others in the Iroquois Confederacy, grew corn, squash, beans, and other fruits and vegetables.  There is even a story illustrating the fact that the Oneida are long-time farmers.  That story was during the Revolutionary war were Oneida people saved American soldiers from starvation by feeding them corn.  I was at a New Partners for Smart Growth conference in Seattle, WA last February and had the opportunity to listen to a presentation by John Breuninger, Planning Department Director, for the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin.  His presentation (skip to page 50 in slideshow) included his description of the OCIFS and the important role it plays for the Oneidas of Wisconsin.  Bottom line for them is self-sustainability and food security.

Another good example of Native American food systems is found with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Okmulgee, OK.  Called Mvskoke Food Sovereignty Initiative (MFSI), they seek to provide for their physical needs now and in the future.  However, the name of the organization alone would suggest a deeper purpose for their work - sovereignty.  The underlying motivation behind Native American food systems is very evident with MFSI.  For you historians, the Muscogee are descendants of the Mound Builders who dwelt along the major and minor southern tributaries of the Mississippi River.  The Mound Builders were very apt farmers so it is no surprise that their descendants would carry on the tradition, with a modern twist.  In addition to maintaining a food system, the MFSI also focuses on general health and well-being of community members, which is evidence that Native Food systems go beyond food, and are part of a Native American life system, founded on, you guessed it, sovereignty.

There are more examples out there, and there will be more coming.  I just wanted to present a few examples of how Native American farming is growing and expanding.  There are also some resources available for native communities by native non-profits.  These non-profits are also focused on maintaining and enhancing tribal sovereignty.  They are (but are not limited to):  Honor the Earth, Seventh Generation Fund, and First Nations Development Institute.    

I believe a New American farmer and a Native American farmer share somewhat of a common ideal that would be described by the terms: sovereignty, independence, health, sustainability (the real kind not the fake globalist kind), and stewardship of the land.  It would seem that a relationship between Native Americans and New Americans, especially in regards to our food systems, should be fostered whereby we work together to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle.  This relationship would form a very powerful bond that would withstand any outside force set on attacking food security and independence.  This relationship would also form a very powerful way of life, a way of life I would call, sovereign abundance.