Heirloom Resistance: Seed Keeping In Palestine

Ava Grace 

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Majors: Journalism and Dakota Language 

Lucy Seiler

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Major: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Physical Art Piece

Nominated By: Matthew Tchepikova-Treon

Project link

Project notes & research

Show notes:

Our project pushes for not only the Indigenous right to self determination and reclamation of Indigenous crops and ways, but a Free Palestine. You can not have "Land Back" without a Free Palestine. Our project hopes to bring communities together while confronting issues that our world is putting in to place. We hope to educate people and create a safe thinking environment for those who may feel like they are not affected by these colonial tactics.

Our creation process was founded by each of our interests and backgrounds, Lucy being Jewish and an Agroforestry major, Ava being Lakota and a Dakota Language and Journalism major. We both have experience farming with the intent to revitalize Indigenous systems, including seed saving. Seed saving is a crucial practice in the effort to decolonize agriculture and restore our natural agricultural systems. 

Thanks Matthew for entering us into this showcase sneakily. Just kidding, in all seriousness we admire professors like Matthew who listen to their students and encourage them to embrace their creativity without the intimidation of judgement. Authentic writers need mentors like Matthew, mentors who provide a space to be fully immersed in one's words, emotions, and curiosity.