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This article synthesizes information from the SmithsonianNMAI’s “Living Earth Festival 2018: Day 1 Panel Discussion,” focusing on the significant efforts of three Native American nations in the United States—the Oneida, Cherokee, and Quapaw—in sustainable development, cultural preservation, and the enhancement of economic sovereignty
These nations have been implementing a diverse array of initiatives, ranging from organic agriculture and heirloom seed saving to cultural tourism, business development, and environmental remediation. Despite historical and contemporary challenges, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience and a profound commitment to passing on their heritage to future generations.
Introduction
Indigenous communities in the United States have navigated a complex historical trajectory, from the loss of land and culture to unceasing efforts to reaffirm their identity and sovereignty. The panel discussion at the “Living Earth Festival 2018” offered profound insights into the innovative and developmental activities currently underway in “Indian Country.” Three representatives from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and the Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma shared compelling narratives of perseverance, economic growth, cultural preservation, and a commitment to the future of their communities
This article will explore the initiatives, motivations, challenges, and future visions of these nations, emphasizing the importance of food sovereignty, seed preservation, education, and cultural tourism.
Results and Discussion
The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
Kyle Wensneski, Agricultural Field Site Supervisor for the Oneida Nation and co-founder of the Midwest Native Seed Savers Network, represented the Oneida Nation. A member of the Wolf Clan of the Standing Stone People (Oneida), he hails from a nation with historical roots in New York and which now comprises three distinct communities in Canada, New York, and Wisconsin.
Key Initiatives and Achievements:
- Organic and Sustainable Agriculture: Kyle leads Joŋtáʔhkwa (meaning “life-sustaining”), an 83-acre certified organic farm. The farm integrates traditional and sustainable agricultural practices to create a unique learning environment and a model for healthy living.
- Seed and Plant Distribution: Joŋtáʔhkwa conducts 15 workshops annually, including a yearly seed and plant distribution event targeting 200 families within the Oneida community. They provide organic, heirloom seeds and plants at a modest cost, while also assisting with home garden design and planting.
- Integrated Food System: The Oneida Nation has maintained an “Oneida Community Integrated Food System” (Oᶇeida Community Integrated Food System) for over 35 years. This system connects all of the nation’s food systems, including a 15,000-acre conventional farm, the Joŋtáʔhkwa farm, a grass-fed cattle herd, an 86-acre apple orchard with 36 different apple varieties, an emergency food pantry, and a regular food pantry. White corn, their number one crop, is intercropped with cattle grazing to maintain organic certification and reduce input costs.
- Heirloom Seed Preservation: Kyle Wensneski co-founded a network dedicated to protecting indigenous seeds. They currently steward 80 different seed varieties, ranging from 5 to 200 years old, all of which are viable and have been cultivated. They believe these seeds possess a spirit and require special protection to ensure food sovereignty and security.
- Motivations and Goals: Kyle is driven by a love for the seeds and a desire to educate the community on traditional methods as an alternative to conventional practices that rely on chemicals and pesticides. A deeper motivation stems from the devastation of diabetes in native communities, having witnessed his grandfather’s suffering. He emphasizes that food is medicine, and what we put into our bodies shapes who we are.
Historical Challenges: A significant obstacle for the Oneida was their forced removal from their New York homeland following the Revolutionary War. The destruction of their villages, thousands of acres of orchards, and cornfields resulted in the loss of seeds, language, and their way of life.
Future Expansion Plans: The Oneida plan to expand their agritourism to showcase their identity as an agricultural society and to share their traditional white corn seeds. They are also working to create their own organic certification program for other native nations, drawing upon their 30+ years of experience, to help other nations overcome the financial and bureaucratic hurdles of existing federal and state programs.
What Visitors Remember: Visitors are impressed by the Oneida’s comprehensive and sustainable food system, which has operated for over 30 years with minimal reliance on external grants.
Role of Youth and Elders: Oneida youth are actively involved in activities such as corn harvesting and educational days, with over 750 students participating annually. Language and cultural programs are also flourishing. Elders are revered as the keepers of stories and seed knowledge, and spending time with them is essential for preserving their heritage.
The Cherokee Nation
Cheryl Trask, Senior Manager of Marketing and Operations for Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism in Tulsa, Oklahoma, represented the Cherokee Nation.
Key Initiatives and Achievements:
- Economic Impact: The Cherokee Nation is the largest tribal government in the United States, with over 350,000 citizens. Their businesses generate an annual economic impact of $2 billion in northeastern Oklahoma.
- Community Investment: 63% of revenue is reinvested into Cherokee businesses to create jobs, industries, and training and education for the Cherokee people. The remaining 37% is invested in programs and services such as education, housing, and healthcare.
- Cultural Tourism: The Cherokee Nation operates cultural tourism programs that include museums, welcome centers, and historical exhibits. Notable exhibits in 2018 included the “1843 Cherokee Peace Council exhibit,” the “Cherokee prison post-statehood exhibit,” the “Letters of John Ross exhibit,” and the “Salt Works of Sequoyah exhibit.” Visitors can learn more at visitCherokeeNation.com.
- Diversified Economic Development: In addition to the gaming industry (casinos, restaurants, hotels, a horse track, RV campgrounds, retail stores, and a golf course), the Cherokee Nation Business Hospitality Division has expanded into sectors such as government contracting and information technology (IT), operating in 29 states.
Motivations and Goals: Cheryl Trask emphasized the importance of accurately telling the historical narrative of the Cherokee people, particularly moving beyond the story of the Trail of Tears. Detailed research to ensure historical accuracy is a top priority, as is creating a legacy for future generations.
Historical Challenges: Like the Oneida, the Cherokee Nation faced forced removal from their homeland (the Trail of Tears) and had to completely start over in an unfamiliar, desolate region of the Midwest.
Future Expansion Plans: The Cherokee are building the largest Native American hospital in the United States and have clinics in all 14 of their counties. They continue to invest heavily in education and the preservation of historical sites, while also expanding their government contracting and IT sectors to ensure financial stability.
What Visitors Remember: Visitors are surprised to learn that the Cherokee have their own written language (developed by Sequoyah) and that not all tribes lived in teepees, but in fact resided in houses. Visiting the historic buildings and witnessing what Cherokee life was like in the 1800s leaves a lasting impression.
Role of Youth and Elders: The Cherokee Nation has a large language department and an elementary immersion school where children speak only Cherokee, aiming to revitalize and sustain the language. Elders, who were once discouraged from speaking their native tongue, are now crucial in teaching the language. Educational field trips for approximately 2,000 children each year are also a key component of their tourism program.
The Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma
Gilbert Johnston, Manager of the Horticulture Department at the Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Oklahoma, represented the Quapaw Nation.
Key Initiatives and Achievements:
- Sustainable Agriculture: The Downstream Casino, located at the tri-state border of Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, features greenhouses that grow vegetables and herbs for its restaurants. They also operate a meat processing plant and raise their own bison. The goal is to become a self-sustaining facility.
- Community Education and Environmental Remediation: The Quapaw Nation has a vision of giving back to the community and assisting communities throughout the region. They have been cleaning up heavily polluted Superfund sites within their community, planting trees in wetlands, and regenerating the earth. They have a Learning Center at the casino and hotel where children are taught about gardening and planting seeds.
- Natural Product Development: The nation produces its own natural honey (from its apiaries) and has plans to expand into producing beeswax candles and goat milk soap.
- Tourism and Experience: Visitors to Downstream can enjoy beef/bison, vegetables, and herbs grown by the nation, along with their honey. They also conduct tours of their facilities for 1,200-1,500 people annually, including culinary and college students.
Motivations and Goals: Gilbert Johnston stressed the importance of giving back and teaching the younger generation about farming, gardening, and healthy eating, as this knowledge seems to have been lost. He wants to encourage children to get outside, plant gardens, and learn. The nation’s vision is to help the community and clean up the polluted environment.
Challenges: While specific historical challenges were not detailed, it was mentioned that the government acquired many contaminated (Superfund) properties 80 years ago, which the Quapaw Nation is now working to clean up and restore.
Future Expansion Plans: The Quapaw intend to expand the use of their honey and goat milk for other natural products like candles and soap. They also hope to develop hydroponics in their new greenhouses.
What Visitors Remember: Visitors and local residents are surprised to learn that the Quapaw Nation engages in a great deal of quiet philanthropy, donating thousands of pounds of beef to schools, senior centers, and other goods without seeking recognition, simply to bring smiles to people’s faces.
Role of Youth and Elders: Youth participate in greenhouse tours and gardening projects at the Learning Center. Elders are also very well cared for by the nation, with their own senior center, a private garden for them to use, a pottery-making space, and daily meal deliveries. The Quapaw Nation is known for its care of its elders and the younger generation, preserving their heritage.
All three nations shared stories of historical loss through forced displacement and land dispossession. However, they have transformed these challenges into a driving force for reaffirming their sovereignty. A significant commonality is the belief in mutual exchange and support among nations, especially regarding seeds and knowledge, rather than purchasing from outside sources. The moderator also highlighted that nations in Oklahoma, through their gaming compacts with the state, must contribute a percentage of their revenue to the state’s education fund, demonstrating their broader contributions to the community.
Conclusion
The narratives from the Oneida, Cherokee, and Quapaw Nations testify to the incredible resilience and progressive vision of indigenous communities in the United States. Through initiatives in sustainable agriculture, heirloom seed preservation, responsible cultural tourism, and diversified economic development, these nations are not only ensuring their own food security and sovereignty but are also passing on their rich cultural heritage to future generations.
The emphasis on education, elder care, youth involvement, and knowledge sharing has created a holistic development model where “food is medicine” and “seeds have a spirit” are not merely philosophies but the very foundation for a sustainable future. These efforts not only benefit “Indian Country” but also offer invaluable lessons for the broader society on how to live in harmony with nature and preserve culture.
[Source in its entirety] Excerpts from the transcript of the video “Living Earth Festival 2018: Day 1 Panel Discussion” uploaded on the YouTube channel “SmithsonianNMAI”.
