Indigenous food sovereignty in Cuk Ṣon
Indigenous Food sovereignty: “Indigenous food sovereignty is a specific policy approach to addressing the underlying issues impacting Indigenous peoples and our ability to respond to our own needs for healthy, culturally adapted Indigenous foods” (indigenousfoodsystems.org).
In our local community and in this country food scarcity and food insecurity impacts Indigenous peoples systematically and at frightening rates. This is due directly to the lasting effects of colonization. If you are interested or inspired by our projects, we urge you to learn more about local Indigenous/Native food sovereignty efforts and invest your money, time and energy into these movements and organizations. You can also educate yourself on how to help create a more respectful and reciprocal relationship with the land that you currently exist on. Remember, the seeds of mutual aid and food sovereignty work are always planted by the most impacted people. If we want to see these movements flourish, it’s up to our communities to create spaces that allow them to bloom and blossom.
Tucson FREEdge exists on land that was traditionally in relationship with the O’odham peoples (the Tohono O’odham Nation, the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Salt River, Pima Maricopa Indian Community and the Hia-C’ed O’odham), the Yoeme (Yoememem/Yaqui), Sobaipuri, and Hohokam peoples, who maintain deep relationships with this land (on either sides of the border) now and have for thousands of years, despite colonial forces.
This land was named Cuk Ṣon (of which there are various spellings) loosely translated to “base of the black hill.” The establishment of the US / Mexican border has created longterm food insecurity for Indigenous peoples, by preventing them from moving across their lands in order to gather foods and live in connection with the land.
Below you can check out some of the incredible local Indigenous led organizations focused on food Sovereignty:
https://www.sanxaviercoop.org/donate/
“The San Xavier Cooperative Association is committed to healthy farming practices and growing traditional crops to support the cultural and environmental values, as well as support economic development within the community.”
“The San Xavier Cooperative Farm considers the following aspects (and others) of the Tohono O’odham Himdag, or Way of Life, to ensure that decisions in the farm’s rehabilitation project are consistent with the culture.”
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2A28PA6R4TGW4&ssrt=1776205207420
“We are a Native American governed 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides agricultural education, reduces barriers to healthy and culturally-appropriate foods, preserves and revitalizes agricultural traditions, fosters local, food-based economic development and establishes valuable partnerships.”
https://www.oodhamfarmersmarket.com/
“The O’odham Farmers Market provides a space for local farmers, ranchers, wild food foragers, and artists to sell their goods. Artists range from traditional handmade jewelry, clothing, baskets, drawings and paintings, and much more. The market continues to grow with each event, typically seeing at least 40 vendors at each market.”
“Beans available in the local community and surrounding areas, in different colors and package sizes, and also offer other wholesome American Indian-grown traditional, heirloom and non-traditional food products.”
https://www.facebook.com/ndeebikiyaathepeoplesfarm
“The mission of Ndee Bikiyaa (The People’s Farm) is to restore personal and cultural
health among the White Mountain Apache through agriculture.”
https://resilience.arizona.edu/resources/food
“Centering Indigenous Ways of Knowing into co-designed environmental community solutions.”
https://www.hopitutskwa.org/about
“Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture is a community Indigenous-led non-profit based in the Village of Kykotsmovi, located in Northern Arizona on the Indigenous Hopi Reservation. Our mission is to create community-based solutions in order to pass knowledge to future generations and rebuild culturally sustainable and healthy communities.”
To learn more about the land you’re on and who lives in relationship with it visit:
https://native-land.ca/maps/constellation
To learn more about O’odham History and Culture visit:
https://www.tonation-nsn.gov/history-culture/
Citations:
https://www.tonation-nsn.gov/history-culture/
https://www.indigenousmexico.org/articles/the-yaqui-arizona-diaspora
https://resilience.arizona.edu/resources/food
https://www.sanxaviercoop.org/donate/
https://native-land.ca/maps/constellation
https://www.oodhamfarmersmarket.com/
