Kaˀtshatstʌ́sla: "Strength of Belief and Vision as a People"—Oneida Resilience and Corn

Abstract

The collective nations of the Haudenosaunee are governed by their shared ancestral knowledge of creation. This storied knowledge tells of an intellec­tual relationship with corn that has been cultivated by the Haudenosaunee through generations and represents core values that are built into commu­nity resilience, for the benefit of future generations. The Oneida, members of the Haudenosaunee Con­federacy, have been committed to this relationship since the beginning of time. The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin has been shaping resilience in the con­text of struggle, to work toward sovereign com­munity food systems. This particular Oneida community has been geographically divided from all other Haudenosaunee nations, and even from its members own Oneida kin, for nearly 200 years; however, this community was able to re-establish its relationship with corn after years of disconnect. Oneida Nation community-driven projects in Wisconsin have reshaped and enhanced the con­nection to corn, which places them at the forefront of the Indigenous food sovereignty movement.

Keywords

• White Corn
• Haudenosaunee
• Oneida
• Community Resilience
• Food Sovereignty