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Seeds.
The basis of life.
A connection to land.
A link to history and cultural foodways.
Seeds are the nucleus of life; they symbolize possibilities of growth and renewal and very practically, when nurtured, birth an ecosystem full of food and plants. But just as importantly, seeds are about understanding and reclaiming culture, identity, and connection to heritage and foodways.
Seeds move with people through the world, whether by force or by choice, ensuring that they have foods that bring memories of family and of home no matter where they are. Like our Featured Organization, Kula Nursery, many are working to save and share seeds and grow culturally relevant plants that can bring comfort.
After years of requests, indigenous students at CAL finally have a space to learn more about the symbiotic relationship between people, the land and seeds. As one student put so well, “...it’s much more than flora and fauna. The Indigenous Community Learning Garden is a place where both they and native plants can connect and thrive.”
What about you? What do you grow? What do you miss? You have options; the incredible Seed Exchange resources at our local libraries, places like Truelove Seeds and Ujamaa Seeds. Grow. And then share. Just like a seed.
From our bowl to yours,
Slow Food East Bay
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Kula Nursery
Kula Nursery (formerly Cultural Roots Nursery) aims to educate, empower and inspire communities to learn how to grow their own food while working towards healthy and culturally relevant food access for all. They do this by supporting and working in solidarity with BIPOC growers in growing heritage plants, accessing culturally relevant gardening information, and growing for school and community gardens.
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RESOURCES
📰 Read
Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the United States: Restoring Cultural Knowledge, Protecting Environments, and Regaining Health
Edited by Devon A. Mihesuah and Elizabeth Hoover
“This collection addresses nearly every aspect of indigenous food sovereignty, from revitalizing ancestral gardens and traditional ways of hunting, gathering, and seed saving to the difficult realities of racism, treaty abrogation, tribal sociopolitical factionalism, and the entrenched beliefs that processed foods are superior to traditional tribal fare.”
A Gathering Basket
By I-Collective: An autonomous group of Indigenous chefs, activists, herbalists, seed, and knowledge keepers
“Our vision is to increase visibility, own our foods and culture, and promote Indigenous ingredients and histories in our modern world.”
How a Humble Bean Unites New Orleans on Lundi Gras
“Back when Creole women laboriously scrubbed linens by hand, a low-maintenance pot of beans simmering on the stove was a wash day kitchen hack that would become part of the city’s intangible culture.”
📺 Watch
Indigenous Seed Keepers Network
"We understand that seeds are our precious collective inheritance and it is our responsibility to care for the seeds as part of our responsibility to feed and nourish ourselves and future generations"
Seed Saving Indigenous Beans
"important tips on knowing when to harvest, how to store your seeds, and the importance of good record keeping."
🎧 Listen
"Indigenous Foodways" ep. 20
Point of Origin
“We explore how can we truly honor indigenous foodways, without it becoming the new, then forgotten trend?”
"Seed Rematriation with Becky Webster"
The Native Seed Pod
“conversation explores the challenges and joys of being a Native farmer, cultivating recently rematriated crops, navigating both market and trade economies, and more.”
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🐌 CALL TO ACTION
Eat At Café Ohlone
A meal at the groundbreaking Indigenous restaurant Cafe Ohlone is a full sensory experience - eating what the local, native landscapes provide while learning about the resiliency of the Ohlone culture and foodways. Sounds, sights, smells all come together to provide a dining adventure like no other! Read more about the restaurant's journey to its new location here.
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📅 UPCOMING EVENTS
Slow Food East Bay’s Fall Bean Feed
Sunday, November 13
1:00-4:00pm
5th St. between Camelia St. and GilmanSt., Berkeley
$10-$30 sliding scale
Join us to explore the wide and delicious world of heirloom beans! Six East Bay chefs, six heirloom beans, three wineries, community organizations, and bean-centric games galore!
Rethinking Thanksgiving: From Land Acknowledgements to LANDBACK
Sunday, November 20
1:00 pm
In this webinar, hear from the frontlines of Indigenous efforts to resist violence and colonization fueled by the current extractive economic system and gather ways to further and deepen solidarity with Indigenous resistance centering land rematriation.
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