Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (Dec 2019)
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.
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