Growing Native's blog

I recall an old television show from my childhood, The Twenty-First Century, hosted by Walter Cronkite. Each week he (Walter Cronkite was a well-known television news journalist during the 1960’s and 70’s) would show us some new wonder from the future that would put an end to human suffering and inconvenience. I seem to recall an episode describing a future in which food was no longer necessary, replaced by super nutritious, ultra convenient capsules that needed to be taken only once per day.  Now that’s a relationship with food that I could embrace!

Food is my final addiction frontier. Unlike alcohol, drugs and smoking, however, it is a stubborn presence that will remain a part of life forever. Hunger is a constant in our lives, returning each day reminding us of our powerlessness over the great force that is life. Like so many others, I struggle mightily with this force.  For the time being I have made my peace with that daily appearance of hunger and its friend food.  Since 2011 I have lost 90 pounds and have managed to maintain my weight for the past four months. I’ve written about my journey for Indian Country Today Media Network and The Daily Yonder.

Like so many Native people, I have type 2 diabetes and have struggled with my weight for years.  Today, however, my glucose levels are normal and I no longer need to take medication. Many people have asked me how I was able to begin this journey after so many years. Truth be told, it is a mystery to me but I’m fairly sure it had something to do with my spirituality and the willingness to admit I am powerless over hunger and food. 

In my recent article for Indian Country Today Media Network, I discuss a book by Michael Moss, “Salt, Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us,” in which he exposes in painful detail as the food industry’s fight for America’s “stomach share-the amount of digestive space that any one company’s brand can grab from the competition.”

Moss discusses the massive forces at work among processed food companies to get us and keep us addicted to their unhealthy products. Data shows that the companies are unbelievably successful. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35.7 percent of all Americans are obese, triple the rate from one generation ago. As of 2010, 25. 8 million people-8. 3 percent of the U.S. population-have type 2 diabetes, closely associated with obesity.

Native peoples top the list for type 2 diabetes in the U.S; 16. 1 percent of Native people served by the Indian Health Service have type 2 diabetes.

The growing availability of cheap, processed, addictive food has created a perfect bad health storm for our people.

I’ve heard it said that Native peoples are like the canaries used by coal miners to warn of the presence of poisonous gas in mines. What happens to us is a portent for the future for everyone if the same path is taken. Unfortunately, in this analogy, we always end up being the first to die.

Rather than accepting this role of the harbinger of death, we can blaze a new trail to health that can inform other communities. The Growing Native series will help guide all of us on this new path by shining a light on efforts that communities are exploring in their work to live in a good way.   

- Mary A Pember (Red Cliff Ojibwe)

Hensci!

What does Growing Native mean to you? That is a question we posed to the Growing Native Advisory Council as we went through pre-production. The answers we received were varied, but connected – it’s growing us as a people in a way that sustains us as a people, it’s taking things that we knew and that worked in the past and building on that, it’s illustrating the interconnectedness of everything that we do. Growing Native is understanding our past in a very deep way; really coming to realize the nature of the challenge of our present; and beginning to think creatively and transformatively for what we need to be doing for our future. With each story we share, we hope to convey these ideas to audiences in an honest and respectful way.

The Festival of Native Arts at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks is one such story. This festival, and others like it, has the unique opportunity to bring multitudes of people together in one place to share their enthusiasm and respect for their cultures. Singers, dancers and artisans from across the state of Alaska come to the UAF campus for three nights of cultural celebration, and the event is organized and ran entirely by students.

From the Festival website –

This tradition began in 1973, when a group of University of Alaska Fairbanks students and faculty (representing a variety of colleges and departments) met to consider a spring festival focused on the artistic expressions of each Alaska Native culture. In less than three months, perhaps for the first time in Alaska, Native artists, craftspeople and dancers from all major Native culture groups gathered together at UAF to share with each other, the University community and Fairbanks their rich artistic traditions.

As the student’s prepared for the 40^th Anniversary, I caught up with one of our interview subjects for the episode, Marina Anderson (Tlingit/Haida), who would be emceeing the evening’s events. “This is the largest student run event in UAF history,” Anderson observed, “and this is the longest Festival we’ve had in almost 20 years. It used to go four or five days, but then it was cut down to two for a long time. Now that it’s back up to three days, and possibly four days next year, I think that really speaks to the growth and support the Festival has attained.”  That support is evident when you look around the Festival. Bustling crowds of visitors jockey for position at the artist tables set up in the main hall outside the dance auditorium, while dance groups anxiously await their turns to be led to the ready room for last minute run-throughs before their performance.

But this isn’t some flash in the pan visual extravaganza. These dances and songs have deep, personal meaning to the performers and oftentimes with the audience members themselves. I spoke with Dr. Theresa John (Yupik), a professor at UAF, and she told me, “These songs and dances are the pathway to passing down knowledge and healing for our people. The language, our stories, our words… these things are embedded in our dances and they create a connection to our history.” Dr. John, who has been involved with the Festival since its inception in 1973, told me that the Festival came about at a critical time at the University. The Native students were struggling to find their place in the larger community, and felt disconnected from their homes. The Festival came in and helped change all that.

“Students now take pride in who they are and where they come from,” dancer Marjorie Tahbone (Inupiaq) offered. Tahbone is former Miss Indian World 2011 from Nome, and she dances with UAF student dance group Inu-Yupiaq. This group is unique in that it combines the cultures of the students, who have become like a family, Tahbone says. “In some cases, dancing was banned in some villages, and as a result there are fewer songs for them to learn. The diversity on display at the Festival really uplifts the spirit, through watching you can see a little bit about others’ traditions.”

Anderson echoes this sentiment, adding “the Festival really built character for a lot of the students who participated. I have one friend who really came out of his shell over the course of the Festival. At first, he would be dancing and he would take his glasses off. He’s blind as a bat without them, so he took them off so he couldn’t see the audience and get embarrassed. By the last night, he was dancing with them on. That’s the kind of strength and pride that the Festival represents.”

The Festival of Native Arts, and by extension other programs that exist to promote Native culture, has represented a steady shift of focus on the role of culture in the classroom. Culture was once something either indifferently omitted or even violently repressed in the classroom. Now, culture in the classroom is celebrated. “About time, that’s what I’m saying!” Tahbone remarked, adding “That shift has and will continue to create a ripple effect that will change the way youth think about themselves to the point that now we are comfortable and proud of being Native.”

To illustrate that ever expanding “ripple effect” that Tahbone mentioned, look no further than the Fairbanks Native Association’s Children’s Performance. The Fairbanks Head Start works with dozens of little ones for their debut dance every Festival, and they have been doing it for years. Each batch of children grows up having the experience of Festival, and knowing that their culture has a place in the larger community, a place they can be proud of. “This joining of generations together is symbolically critical,” Dr. John stressed to me, “because in that time and place, when people gather together, despite being busy teachers or busy students or just busy… when people gather together, our ancestors join us and celebrate with us, reuniting us.”

As the Festival draws to a close, the “Heartbeat of the Drum” ceremony takes place. Each dance group sends out a drummer and they surround the auditorium. Singing in unison, the audience rises to their feet. It is in this moment that Dr. John’s words seem to resonate with crystal clarity. The steady beat of the drum reflects the unity of purpose that each person in that room represents. Times may change, people will come and go, but the beat of the drum continues. It sustains. It is past, present and future. It is Growing Native in the best possible way.

Mvto!

Hensci!

This February, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel up to Alaska to film the latest episode of Growing Native. This trip would be the first of two as host Chris Eyre explores Alaska and all its Native cultures has to offer.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: Alaska is a special place. Having never been to Alaska before, I was anxious to discover for myself just what exactly all the hoopla was about, and I figured two days would be enough. I was coming to Alaska with a mission – locate that elusive quality that takes the breath away and get it on film. In two days. If all the hype was even partly true, then two days would be more than enough time to find something, right? As it turns out, it didn’t even take that long.

First things first, though, it can’t be stated enough that things are different up there and I wasn’t as prepared as I may have thought. Yes, I knew it would be cold and snowy. Yes, I knew there would be subtle and significant differences between all the different Native groups. No, I didn’t realize the vital importance of good snow pants. No, I didn’t know that snow could pack differently than it does in Oklahoma (seriously, who thinks about that?). Suffice it to say, I’ll be better prepared next time! Next time, I’ll remember the extension cord is connected to the car before I back out.

With that out of the way, I wanted to share a little bit about the stories Growing Native looks to highlight in this coming episode. We went up there to film the Festival of Native Arts, an annual event hosted by Native students at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks. The 2013 Festival was the 40^th anniversary of the event that brings together many of Alaska’s Native communities to celebrate their arts and dances. Here, we got a whirlwind introduction to the more than 70 Native communities represented. We got the chance to learn some traditional dance moves, hear some beautiful songs, and then we met up with Marina Anderson. Marina served as our guide, sharing a local perspective on all this unique Alaskan gathering has to offer. Through witnessing the dances and taking part in the Festival, we had the chance to learn the value of gatherings like this one in keeping our cultures vibrant and innovative.

After the festivities, we met up with our friend Alan Hayton to check out the Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre as the company prepares for an upcoming production of King Lear. This is no ordinary production, though. This version of Shakespeare’s classic is presented in the Gwich’in language. We heard the Bard’s words spoken in the People’s language, and witnessed firsthand the jump from language preservation to language innovation.

Our last day of filming started out beautifully, and by that I mean we met up with former Miss Indian World, Marjorie Tahbone, who would take us out to a spirit camp founded by respected elder Howard Luke. To reach Howard’s camp, we had to trek through the snow across the frozen Tanana River. At Howard’s camp, we spoke with him about the importance of keeping culture connected to the education of our young people. Later, we talked with Marjorie, who had been a student at the camp, and she stressed the importance of places like Howard’s camp to provide Native students the vital link that relates ideas of home and place to their academic studies.

All in all, it was a lovely trip. We were able to get a glimpse of who these people are, and the pride they take in calling themselves Alaska Natives. My two days there were full of wonder, as I was constantly learning, experiencing exciting new things and meeting amazingly talented people. As I stood in the middle of the Tanana, with snow up to my waist (sans good snow pants), breathing deep that cold, clean air, I felt like I got a real sense of where these people come from, if only for the briefest of moments. In that moment, I had an unfamiliar feeling of what I can only describe as unbounded hope followed by the fear and doubt such a feeling might bring. The people I had met, the things they were doing, it all spoke to the dauntless commitment they had to who they are as a people. Then, I thought, what will happen if we falter, if we stumble in our vigilance? I shivered then, whether from the cold or from the thought, I don’t know, and figured I better not linger too long in that place. I had good work to be done.

Mvto!

My name is Blue Tarpalechee and I am Muscogee (Creek) from Okmulgee, Oklahoma. I work at Vision Maker Media as the Project Coordinator, a title I’ve held since August of 2012, where I manage the development of the educational materials for our programs and serve as an Associate Producer for the Growing Native series. Be sure to check out our Growing Native page at nativetelecom.org/growingnative

The production team for the upcoming Vision Maker Media series Growing Native recently came together to put the finishing touches on the Northwest episode. Chris Eyre (Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho) stopped by our offices in Lincoln, Nebraska on his way to the Sundance Film Festival. Eyre worked with series Producer Brandon Verzal and Associate Producer Blue Tarpalechee (Muscogee Creek) on the voice over, editing, and green screen elements for the recently filmed Northwestern episode. Vision Maker Media’s Executive Director, Shirley Sneve, was also in attendance for the green screen segments, pulling from her years of experience working with Native people to provide valuable insight into the process.

“I always enjoy getting to work with such skilled individuals as the team we have here,” Eyre said, “The episode is coming together really well, and I’m excited to get it out there for audiences to enjoy.” The Northwest episode will be the first of seven planned episodes for the Growing Native series. Coming up soon for the Growing Native team will be trips to Alaska, Oklahoma and the Great Lakes, so be sure to check back often for updates!

Happy new year! Back in the office and off the Christmas couch! What are your favorite holiday foods? Oyster stew on Christmas Eve is a tradition that my mother brought to our table. What a delicacy! At our house, the stew took on a different look this year. Daughter Bonita and I are somewhat lactose intolerant these days, so instead of cream, we used broth.  Making tamales is a tradition that my husband Tom and I started (by reading a cookbook by Diana Kennedy).

The holidays give us a reason to gather together and celebrate the season by preparing good food. Whether it’s something exotic like lobster or comforting like mashed potatoes, where we live and where we come from still defines what’s for dinner.

My brother Paul Sneve, his wife Tally Salisbury and their son Kenny spent the summer in British Columbia—returning to the school where he graduated—the Vancouver School of Theology.  I ventured across the border to visit—just before our Growing Native shoot in Washington and Oregon.  Tally accidentally found an amazing restaurant—right next to Kenny’s favorite store—Toys R Us.

Salmon and Bannock Bistro features First Nations cuisine.  They won the Aboriginal Tourism BC award in 2012 for food and beverage.

Besides being a delicious place to eat, here’s why I like this place. The food is from the region, and indigenous.  The menu changes with the seasons.  I had salmon (of course), but we also tried some other things, like muscox, bison—and bannock.

Bannock for you lower 48 Indians, is made from the ingredients used for fried bread, but it’s baked so it’s healthier for you!

Other wild game, as well as seasonal fruit and vegetables were on the menu. They even serve  a wild boar hot dog. 

- Shirely Sneve, Executive Director, Vision Maker Media

I spent last winter in northern Italy on a fellowship. Something that struck me was how differently people viewed food. For example in a village where I was staying, shopping for food was an every day event. People would walk through a open air market, see what was fresh, and buy enough for a day or two. The vegetables, the pastas, meats, fish or dairy, were all sold by the farmer, fisher or rancher. The food chain was quick and visible.

But in addition to a different shopping routine, I was struck by how common it was to see a green house. Nearly every house had something growing. Sometimes the green houses were quite large with vegetables growing all year. Others were small, growing fresh peppers or lettuce.

The reward is that every meal had that fresh taste. The very idea of processed food was, well, foreign. But my mind also traveled back to Indian Country. What if every house had a “green house window.” Just one exposed window that could grow a food product? What if there were community greenhouses? What would it take to add just a little more fresh food into a tribal community’s diet.

Here are some examples of greenhouses that I saw in Italy.

- Mark Trahant, Growing Native advisory committee member

It's harvest time here in New Mexico and the abundance of traditionally grown foods are everywhere. I recently brought out a visiting scholar and artist Ron Bull from the Maori Tribe in New Zealand to visit the Tesuque Pueblo Farm. We were given a tour of the farm by Emigdio Ballon (Quechua) who is the head of the agricultural initiative at the farm. We watched local school children pick ripe apples, sampled blackberries and raspberries on their vines, saw the abundance of crops ready to be harvested from medicinal plants to traditional corn. We toured the Hoop Houses that were installed to extend the growing season and allow the Pueblo to grow crops year round. Our last stop of the farm was a tour of the almost completed adobe seed storage building that will house native seeds for the Pueblo for generations to come.

This is a wonderful example of growing Native at its best and Tesuque Pueblo farms showing how it can grow enough food for the entire community and an excellent example of sustainability that can be used by other Pueblos and Indigenous Nations all over the Americas.

- Lois Elen Frank, Ph.D. (Kiowa/Sephardic), Growing Native advisory committee member & owner of Red Mesa Cuisine

This teaser trailer for the upcoming trans media project "Growing Native" takes viewers on a journey across the Pacific Northwest. Host Chris Eyre explores the coast line as we follow a group for Canoe Journey, then heads inland to take part in traditional camas harvesting and to rub elbows with local vendors at a Protocol.

Additional online content for "Growing Native" is also highlighted. Join us at http://www.nativetelecom.org/growingnative as we discover what Tribal Nations across the country are doing to reclaim tradition and revitalize their people through food, language, art, and more!

The corn is almost ready to harvest now and Northern New Mexican families are busy making the corn into chicos. Chicos are a traditional dried corn. They are made from field corn that is harvested, tied into ristras (strings), and hung to dry. Some Native American and Hispano families (that settled in this region hundreds of years ago) make chicos by roasting the corn in the horno adobe (earthen) oven overnight and then hang them to air-dry. After the corn is dried, the kernels are rubbed off by hand and then stored to be used throughout the winter. The horno roasted corn has a slightly darker color when dried but both are equally delicious. Either way, this ancestral traditional process of drying corn kernels is an important ancestral staple food to this region.

I use chicos in many winter stews but one of my favorite ways to cook them is simply with beans. Using a process that combines roasting with drying, the end product is a dreid, wrinkled corn that stores well. Chicos, when they are cooked, swell up to an almost fresh corn consistency and taste like freshly smoked corn. They are an important food to the Southwest region and a traditional food that is a great example of growing native.

- Lois Elen Frank, Ph.D. (Kiowa/Sephardic), Growing Native advisory committee member & owner of Red Mesa Cuisine

Every once in a while, the very idea of a documentary series exactly matches what’s going on at home. Such is the case with Growing Native.

I recently moved home to the Fort Hall Reservation after living in cities for most of my career. I couldn’t wait to experiment with food. The first thing we put into the ground: Blue Corn. Last year’s crop was healthy and this year’s corn was grown from last year’s seeds.  We also dried corn, hanging it as art all over the house. We then ground much of that corn into meal and consume it often.

Any day now we’ll harvest again. The crop, like last year, is extraordinarily tall. Most of the stocks are about 8 feet tall. 

My idea is to look at my garden as a consumer. What would it take for more families to add their own grown food to their regular diet? How much effort to really contribute to a better diet? The answers will roll out over time.

Here is a short slide show about last year’s crop.

- Mark Trahant, Growing Native advisory committee member