Roots of Resilience Project

TheGLP.org is excited to announce our latest Roots of Resilience Project, which is currently serving the Fargo-Moorhead area with expansion plans.

What is Roots of Resilience?

Roots of Resilience is more than just a garden; it represents an intergenerational, land-based education model grounded in Indigenous knowledge and food sovereignty. It also serves as a safe space for those facing food insecurity, including children without parents, kids from shelters, and others in need of support. Candace Stock and Noreen Thomas lead this project, which is open to all and has no fees.

What Makes It Different:

🌽 Reconnecting Systems

It connects food, culture, language, and youth leadership by integrating science with Indigenous wisdom and lived experiences.

🌱 Regenerative, Not Just Sustainable

Traditional polycultures bring back soil, stories, seeds, and community — reviving what was lost rather than just maintaining the status quo.

👧🏽👵🏼 Intergenerational Learning

Elders serve as mentors, while youth take on leadership roles. Knowledge is passed down through generations, which strengthens identity and community bonds.

📍 Place-Based Education

Curriculum is developed from local land, language, and values, integrating hands-on learning with environmental, health, and cultural knowledge.

🌾 Scalable & Shareable

From a few saved seeds, food, stories, and leadership can grow. With a seed bank, this model can take root in other tribal communities.

Why Call It Roots of Resilience?

**Roots** - Gardening  

**Resilience** - This term refers to the ability to recover quickly from difficulties and to bounce back from adversity. It involves adapting effectively in the face of stress, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant challenges. Resilience is not just about enduring hardship; it also includes learning from those experiences and developing the capacity to thrive despite challenges.

In this context, we are using intergenerational gardening as a means of recovery from difficulties.