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Sharpback welcomed everyone to the virtual event, then panelist Sharon M. Day, executive director of and enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, said an Ojibwe prayer to offer traditional thanks to center the event and the participants on the discussion about Indigenous food sovereignty. St. Kate’s Director of Equity and Inclusion Sandra Mitchell, CSJ Consociate Karen Zeleznak, and St. Kate’s ����ֱ�� sustainability coordinator Rachel Schauer ’21 presented the CSJ and St. ����ֱ�� University joint Land Acknowledgement of the ancestral homelands of the �ٲ���ȟó�ٲ� People, specifically the Wahpekute and Oceti Sakowin.

The discussion was in response to a synchronous virtual screening of the film presented by multiple departments and groups from St. Kate’s and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates. “GATHER” is a documentary that traces the intentional destruction of Native American foodways and the renaissance to reclaim indigenous agriculture and food systems.

Sharpback and the panelists discussed their reactions to the movie “GATHER.”

 “‘GATHER’ is a beautiful platform to discuss food sovereignty while illustrating what it takes to reclaim that right behind the scenes,” said panelist Jessika Greendeer, Seed Keeper and Farm Manager for and enrolled member of Ho-Chunk Nation (Baraboo, Wisconsin).

 “Food sovereignty is about caregiving, not caretaking. That is how I feel when I put my time and energy into growing plants,” said Panelist Alexandera Houchin, who is an enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe and lives in her tribal community, Nahgahchiwanong (Cloquet, Minnesota) where she volunteers her time with the Ojibwe school master gardener. Sharon M. Day reflected, “Sovereignty gives me agency to build reciprocal relationships between the earth, plants, and people… We are all part of a community. Everyone, and everything, has a job and a purpose… It is not about the enrichment of one person, but a resurgence based on our values and a society where everyone has enough.”

Panelist Alanna Norris’19, nutrition program coordinator for Dream of Wild Health and enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation of Ojibwe graduated from St. Kate’s with a bachelor degree in nutrition science. When asked about the quality and nutrition of the food grown in traditional Indigenous methods, Norris said, “Research of soil quality shows that it affects the quality of the food. By enriching the soil, it enriches our food. If you know where your soil is coming from, you are going to have a great outcome for your produce.” Greendeer, who supports regenerative soil farming at Dream of Wild Health, said, “Excess carbon in our atmosphere is because we have a broken system. By practicing Indigenous farming and incorporating Indigenous knowledge, we pull that carbon back into the soil and are being a good relative to the earth… Our plant relatives are trying to take care of us.”

The panel discussion took place just days before Thanksgiving. When the panel was asked about Native American views of the holiday, they shared their own family traditions, including mourning, fasting, gathering with family, and story-telling. Day said, “We have thanksgiving every day,” asking the attendees to be grateful for what the earth has provided, not just on special days, but all days.

During the closing remarks, Jessika Greendeer offered a call to action. “Learn about the story of your land — the land you live on. Find out about your ancestral ’seeds,’ your ancestral foods… We live in relation to all things.”

November is Native American Heritage Month, an important time to reflect and consider the history of Indigenous people. At St. Kate’s, we value reflection and the importance of listening and being in community with “Our Dear Neighbor.” This panel discussion elevated crucial voices in the discussion of Indigenous food sovereignty. With this knowledge, St. Kate’s community members can learn and discern wisely, so we can live and lead justly.

This event was sponsored by members of the following groups and communities:

Abigail Quigley McCarthy Center for Women

Outdoor Active Katies for Sustainability (OAKS)

St. ����ֱ�� University Holistic Health Studies Program

St. ����ֱ�� University/CSJ Food Insecurity Project

St. ����ֱ�� University’s Multicultural and International Programs & Services (MIPS)

St. ����ֱ�� University Office of Equity and Inclusion

View the “GATHER” library resource guide here: