Traditional Foods:

How It Brings Us Together

Mya Ivory Chavez

Cochiti Pueblo

"Sharing One Skin "- Jeannette Armstrong

In the article, “sharing one skin” by Jeannette Armstrong describes her tribe ways as well as her cultural practices. Jeanette comes from the tribe of the Okanagan and her and her family come from a long line of leaders. In the article she explains that language is something that is really needed therefore losing it or not knowing it doesn’t give us an identity as a community. The main thing that is explained in this article is the Four Selves of the Okanagan people. These fourself is what gives us an identity as people and as a person, that being said the four are “the physical self is the entire self that exist beyond the skin” , emotional self is expressed as what helps us to communicate and connect, thinking intellectual self as engaging in other things and what actions take place, and spiritual self being both spiritual self and higher self.

Citation: Armstrong, Jeannet. 1996 “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan community” Pp. 460-470 in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds). The Case Against the Global Economy, San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Book

Authors collection, June 1st 2023

Authors collection , May 23rd 2022

"How Place Names Impact The Way We See Landscape"- B. Toastie

Memories and stories are connected to our land as described by, Toastie in the article “how place names impact the way we see landscape” focuses on how we as people influence landscape and how we see landscapes.”psychologists call this “ place identity” a social constructivist theory designed to shed light on our subjective perceptions of geography” This is not only shown in few communities but many, we all have our own language, connection, and view of the land. The article also explains that it gives us an inner experience . Communities show this through prayer, dances, songs, and stories to express preconception of our landscape.

B. Toastie (they/them) is an award-winning journalist and a staff writer for High Country News writing from the Pacific Northwest. They're a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Email them at b.toastie@hcn.org. (mailto:b.toastie@hcn.org)or submit a letter to the editor https://www.hcn.org/feedback/contact-us). See our letters to the editor policy. (https://www.hcn.org/policies/lte).

"And Then I Went To School"- Joseph Suina

“And Then I Went to School” by Joe Suina focuses on the idea of losing one’s identity through new experiences. In the beginning the author gives a really good explanation of his life before going into actual school. It starts off with him explaining how his grandmother taught him valuable information to prepare him." Grandmother would state that I would attain the status of a man like the adult males in the village” the cause of his grandmother expressing this to him made him feel good and proud about himself The author then transitions to how when he starts school, Joe immediately sees a difference example being experienced seeing his new teacher. Not only getting used to the new people, he had a hard time with his english. He explained that he wasn’t comfortable. Joe experienced that his native ways of life were not accepted in school he was also hit with a ruler . All this it changed him as a person it made change the way he felt about things at home, he began to miss his family his traditions he longed to be free but as stated in the text this new way of life was creeping in and was here to stay, he felt as if he lost his identity.

Joseph Suina Reprint with permission of the author from the New Mexico Journal of Reading, Winter 1985, Vol. V, No. 2.

Chan "Rainbird" illustrations by Tom Lea from H. P. Mera, Pueblo Designs.

Link to article:

https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/and-then-i-went-to-school/

Authors collection, november 23 2023

My Connection

As mentioned previously, cooking has been a significant part of my life and has deeply influenced my traditional practices and life as well. I began learning to cook at a young age, both out of necessity to care for my brothers and to prepare food for feasts and traditional events throughout the year. This topic holds special meaning for me because it helped me cope with challenges, build connections with my family, and especially create a strong bond with my late great-grandmother, Thaoo Gram, Vivian Chavez. She, along with others in my family, inspired my love for cooking. Though I was initially compelled into this culinary world, I'm grateful for the lessons learned from my grandmothers Evelyn Chavez, Georgia Garcia, my Mother Nikki Garcia, and most of all my Thaoo Gram.

The Navajo Nation:

A Case Study On Food Colonialism and Environmental Justice

The article states that 'Food is and always has been our most intimate connection to our natural environment; it provides us with security, spirituality, and sustenance.' The Navajo Nation, one of the largest Native American reservations, was removed from their homes, which was established... Kit Carson established the 'scorched earth policy'. The reservation has a total of 13 chapters considering the population has 174,000 members, the nation does not have availability of nutritious foods. Other barriers accessing healthy food include 'high rates of unemployment, and predominance of low-wage jobs'. This has led to an epidemic of food insecurity. Navajo Nation food syste is a main topic that is discussed by the environmental justice [movement]. This fails to encompass history of invasion, displacement, segregation and unjust food deserts (or also known as food apartheid) and inaccessibility to high-quality, nutritious foods in communities. A new possible solution was discussed among Washington, the concept of food sovereignty, which Natives have been fighting for. Cynthia Wilson, Director of the Navajo Traditional Foods Program, created this program. This program was developed to shift back to agricultural solutions, to maintain food sovereignty and to have access to nutritious foods.

Refuge, Earth. “The Navajo Nation: A Case Study on Food Colonialism and Environmental Justice: Earth Refuge.” Earth Refuge | The Planet’s First Legal Think Tank Dedicated to Climate Migrants, 4 Aug. 2021, earthrefuge.org/the-navajo-nation-a-case-study-on-food-colonialism-and-environmental-justice/.

Authors personal collection, august 2nd 2006

Gather- a documentary created

by: Sanjay Rawal

The documentary shed light on the movement among native americans to reassert their identity and rights through food sovereignty by exploring and understanding the importance of tradition food practices in spiritual, culture, and political aspects of life. Farming modern challenges, community coming together and sharing strategies and relationships with food is central to healing and empowerment .

Rawal, Sanjay. “Home.” Gather Film, 2020, gather.film/.

"Death by civilization"-

The article titled " death by civilization" evolves deeply into the effects and backstory of "indian boarding schools".thes indian boarding schools were active in 1886-1975. this was designed to strip natives american children of their culture and identity. These schools backed by the CFA imposed harsh regimens, cutting ties with their families and fostered them into abusive environments. The trauma experienced by the students including the authors mother Bernice lingered throughout their lives affecting them mentally and emotionally and culture. The legacy of these schools and their impacted iss a critical part of understanding where we come from

Pember, Mary Annette. “Death by Civilization.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 6 Jan. 2022, www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2019/03/traumatic-legacy-indian-boarding-schools/584293/.

Authors personal collection, December 2nd 2022

Authors personal collection, april 16th 2007

"Indigenizing the plate"- Natalie Benally

'Indigenizing the plate" a film created by Natalie benally whom which wanted to show the outlook on food sovereignty and the cross culture exchange between different cultures of the world, as well as food scarcity among native communities, this is what really inspired bennaly to create the film about her experience growing up on a farm,working with crops as well as animals. Benally explains that she needed to explore other types of food, that being said she visited chef jose duarte. duarte explains that sustainability is one of the many words that represent how we pass down traditions to keep them alive. Another thing that Benally wanted to get out of her film is a better perspective on traditional food. food is connected with our emotions it gives us a sense of reminder of who we are and where we come from

“Native-Owned Restaurants.” Toasted Sister Podcast, 1 Feb. 2023, toastedsisterpodcast.com/native-owned-food-companies/.

"Native Life and Food: food is more than what we eat"

To review the article I read "Native life and Food '' Food is more than just what we eat" the native way of life is deeply connected with the environment as well as what it provides. Throughout time traditional food developed, for example is native people developed. more than thousand different species of potatoes. as well as corn, beans, squash, pumpkins and move. Natives had very distinct and complex trade routes. Then European settlers came, this caused the native food system to be disrupted as well as the displacement of their land. Not only that, the US government provided food sources, but what was given was unsafe as well as unhealthy which changed the diet of natives. Native Americans Still fight and continue to work hard to restore our land and our environment.

“Native Knowledge 360°-Native Life and Food: Food Is More than Just What We Eat.” National Museum of the American Indian | Smithsonian, americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/native-life-food. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

Authors personal collection, april 4th 2008

"Reclaiming Traditional Agriculture"- Aaron Lowden

In the article "reclaiming traditional agriculture in Acoma Pueblo" the southwest high desert plateaus have had well managed food systems as well as adaptation to the high desert environment. Aaron Lowden ancestral lands program coordinator explains traditional knowledge is tied to a food system that has been passed down from generation to generation."The plants are my children and require a lot of attention". " If these traditions are lost, they are lost forever" The First Nation is working with tribes in the southwest developing and implementing sustainable conservation strategies to increase ecological stewardship of the land.

Lowden, Aaron. “You Need to Have JavaScript Enabled in Order to Access This Site.” Restoration of Acoma Pueblo Food Systems with Aaron Lowden (Acoma Pueblo): 4 Directions Projections, iaia.instructure.com/courses/3583/pages/restoration-of-acoma-pueblo-food-systems-with-aaron-lowden-acoma-pueblo. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

authors personal connection, june 20th, 2020

Brazil-

Brazilian cuisine dates back to the 20th century, always evolving.From root vegetables like corn squash beans and potatoes. As well as fruit like guava,pineapple,oranges and mangos. This was their influence on their culture and traditions throughout time food had evolved and new things were introduced. Such as flour,rice,oil,olives as well as new spices. Meat became available which was a time where Brazilian peoples were separated somewhat a similarity to what Pueblo people went through as well. Though it was a big change this made a big impact on the food chain all together bringing in all sorts of unique foods made by different regions of Brazil.

“Exploring the History and Culture of Brazilian Cuisine.” Brazilian Food , tastybrazilian.com/blog/11/exploring-the-history-and-culture-of-brazilian-cuisine. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

Mexico-

Their knowledge and techniques shows their communities identity. Reinforce social bonds,and build local,regional and national identity.as well as the importance of tradition and to create a sustainable environment. This article explains their knowledge and how their traditional foods play a big part in their community

“Exploring the History and Culture of Brazilian Cuisine.” Brazilian Food , tastybrazilian.com/blog/11/exploring-the-history-and-culture-of-brazilian-cuisine. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

Native alaskans

The similarities and the differences between the Alaskan food ways and cuisine is expanded throughout time as well as evolved which maintains their culture and their traditions. as well as keeping up with their Development and understanding of their environment. in which shapes their way of life.Food brings people together when ceremonies and feasts, it is what feeds the souls and our spirits.

“Exploring the History and Culture of Brazilian Cuisine.” Brazilian Food , tastybrazilian.com/blog/11/exploring-the-history-and-culture-of-brazilian-cuisine. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

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