Traditional agricultural practices in a contemporary context

Date and Time: 
Wednesday, 14 May, 2014 - 13:50 to 14:10
Author(s): 
STEVENS, Lois - Indigenous Studies Program, University of Kansas

I explore the world of traditional, Indigenous horticultural practices, and examine how these traditional practices of small community-style gardens can help various populations of modern Indigenous people become self-sufficient in today’s struggling economy, while at the same time contributing to the betterment of Mother Earth. I will show the connection these foodways have to the cultural and linguistic practices of Indigenous Peoples and how they can be used to not only preserve these practices, but revitalize them as well. As a living example, I explain how the influence of reclamation of their indigenous foods has helped my own tribe, the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, revitalize their culture. Finally, I will be using Environmental Psychology to demonstrate how these traditional practices can be modeled to fit the contemporary societal setting.