Laughing Radish is operating on Unceded Algonquin Territory. We are extremely privileged to be working with and learning from the land. As a settler living on Indigenous land, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn from the land and would like to acknowledge and thank the generations of people who have protected and been stewards of this land for thousands of years and who continue to do so today.
I understand the responsibility I receive when entering the agricultural-education sector. I will strive to the best of my abilities to treat the earth with love and respect, to listen to those who’ve come before me and to protect Mother Earth and all that live within her. I will make space to lift the voices of those around me and continually educate myself, as I work on my personal journey of reconciliation. I hope to continue to build my relationships with indigenous people, for they are the ultimate earth protectors and we ALL have so much to learn from them. Thank you.
“Whether you have feet, fins, wings or roots, we are all in this together.”
– Winona LaDuke, Author, Activist, Executive Director of Honor the Earth
Resources from Indigenous Leaders, Farmers, Seed Protectors.
The following are Indigenous leaders who have made an impact on my life and inspired my journey into food sustainability. This list is not exhaustive and I encourage you to continue to seek out the work of Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, artists, storytellers and more. I highly recommend the following works, be it a book, a documentary, artwork, organisation etc. I also encourage all settlers residing on Indigenous land to seek out the history of the land you are residing on.
https://native-land.ca/ is an interactive map of the traditional Indigenous Territories across Turtle Island and beyond, which can act as a starting point for further research into the history of the land you reside on.
Books:
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is an excellent book composed of short stories that share the wisdom and teachings of plants and the natural world.
5 Little Indians by Michelle Good has won numerous awards and is a National Bestseller. This is an extremely important book that chronicles the lives of 5 residential school survivors.
Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline is a novel about the world after climate change, where Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow.
Creative Performance (based on the book of the same name):
Being Salmon, Being Human by Martin Lee Mueller tells the story of the modern/settler society’s loss of connection to nature in relation to the salmon farming industry. This was the most powerful and inspiring performance I have ever witnessed, bringing myself and many of the audience members to tears. I cannot more highly recommend seeing this performance if they are coming to a town near you. Reading the book is an excellent alternative option.
Find more information here: https://www.beingsalmonbeinghuman.com/
Documentary:
Seed: The Untold Story is a documentary that shares the importance of ancestral seeds and seed diversity/seed sovereignty. Incorporating knowledge from numerous seed activists, indigenous leaders and scientists, lawyers, councilman and teachers, including Vandana Shiva, Winona LaDuke, Jane Goodall and many more.
Find out more information here: https://www.seedthemovie.com/
Programs for Youth:
Students On Ice is an organisation dedication to circumpolar education and leadership of indigenous and non-indigenous youth in Canada and worldwide. I participated on their Arctic Expedition in 2014, which changed my life and opened my eyes to the awe-inspiring power of nature and importance of land and culture protection. This organisation brings youth (high school and university students) to the Arctic and Antarctic to learn about climate change, indigenous culture, environmental policy, art and activism. The majority of participants receive full coverage scholarships and I highly encourage interested youth to apply. You will not regret it.
Find out more information here: https://studentsonice.com/
Northern Lights Collaborative, powered by CatalystsX: Gathering of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth from across Turtle Island to combat isolation, explore creativity and discuss solutions to challenges our communities were facing. This gathering was an opportunity to foster connection with other youth changemakers and feel supported in our creativity.
Find out more information here: http://www.catalystsx.ca/northernlights
Laughing Radish 