Native American Heritage Day – An Opportunity To Learn About Our Neighbors

I just learned about this national observance thanks to my latest phone update! It’s now noted on my calendar. That said, after learning more online, I wanted to share something I learned about a movement that’s happening now. Please know this information is online via a New York Times article posted on 8/22/2022, authored by Kevin Noble Maillard. The beautiful person in the photo is Angela Ferguson on the Onondaga Nation Farm in central New York. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/26/dining/native-american-agriculture.html

The photo was taken by Tahlia Mintz of the New York Times (love how the breeze catches the hem of her shirt). There are so many interesting articles about people around this country, and the world, that it really is worth the monthly subscription.  

Culture & Food Mindset

Having spent many years growing up in Europe I learned so much about people from different cultures, and we have that here too! Find an ethnic area around you and enjoy the shops and restaurants. We also have an amazing resource via our Native American neighbors. This article focuses on one aspect, the community gardens and home gardening. Angela is the supervisor of the Onondaga Nation Farm and her crew grow, among other things, corn, beans and squash which are known as the “three sisters” of their agriculture. A free weekly farmers’ market on the Nation is something to enjoy and if you want to learn more, classes are offered to teach the traditional ways of cultivation and cooking. I’m here to tell you I could use those; growing veggies and herbs in my back yard has yielded less than desirable results!

There is also an understanding of what’s going on with the land and how to edit what you do to work in cooperation, a lot like taking care of yourself if you think you’re coming down with a cold. This reminds me so much of what I see around me in the form of community gardens where the neighborhood can go and harvest the crops as they need them, like the peppers and tomatoes. It also reminds me of the growing farm to table I’m seeing in the form of community supported agriculture programs and restaurants that offer seasonal menus based on what they can get locally. 

Wrapping It Up

Please do try to get this article and also look for information on your own. If you do a deeper dive, please take a minute to share with me-I love to learn. That said, I learned something writing this article-check out a community garden the start of the growing season to learn some successful growing tips! 

Appreciate You All!

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