Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Agriculture Program Traditional Food Education

Commodities

• Fruits: berries (strawberries)
• Vegetables: beans, other
• Additional Plants: herbs
• Animal Products: eggs

Practices

• Crop Production: food processing, seed saving
• Education and Training: demonstration, workshop
• Farm Business Management: labor/employment
• Production Systems: holistic management
• Sustainable Communities: food sovereignty

Project Focus: The SRMT Agriculture Program is dedicated to enhancing food sovereignty and cultural resilience within the Akwesasne community, which has been historically impacted by industrial pollution and loss of traditional agricultural practices. The program aims to engage the Akwesasne community by reviving traditional food production knowledge and sustainable agricultural methods that align with Mohawk culture. By reviving our traditional food practices and sharing this knowledge while providing support, this will promote self sufficiency. A community survey conducted in February 2023 revealed a strong demand for workshops focusing on traditional food practices, such as the cultivation and processing of Mohawk white corn, other Haudenosaunee corn, beans, and squash, seed saving for heirloom varieties, and sustainable gardening techniques. The project will directly address the community's needs by first training the Agriculture Program staff to then host workshops and demonstrations at the Tribal farm. This will empower local residents to reclaim their self-sufficiency and cultural heritage through hands-on education and workshops led by traditional knowledge holders.

Solution and Approach

To meet the identified needs, the SRMT Agriculture Program will implement a comprehensive train-the-trainer education program. This program will involve hiring a full-time Traditional Food Production Educator, Mary Arquette, who possesses extensive experience in traditional Mohawk agricultural practices to train, coordinate, and teach these workshops.  The approach will include:

1. Capacity Building: Training Agriculture Program staff to develop the skills and confidence necessary to facilitate workshops. This will be achieved through a blend of onsite training at the Tribal Farm in the traditional foods demonstration garden, and mentorship from Mary. 

2. Community Workshops: Hosting monthly workshops that cover various topics essential to traditional food production and sustainable agriculture. These workshops will be open to 10-15 community members at a time, ensuring that knowledge is shared widely and inclusively.

3. Cultural Integration: Each workshop will incorporate Mohawk language, emphasizing its integral role in food production and cultural identity. Our traditional teachings must include our language. This will be done in coordination with workshops but also by having "community days" weekly at the farm to practice the language. This will be open to all community members to come to farm one day a week to provide hands on demonstration and experience in the traditional foods garden, and to build community connections. 

4. Sustainability Focus: The program will incorporate sustainable agricultural techniques that address climate challenges, such as soil health management, organic pest control, and water conservation strategies. This will empower community members to adapt to environmental changes while maintaining their cultural practices.

By engaging the community through direct education and empowering local trainers, this project aims to revitalize traditional food systems, promote food sovereignty, and foster resilience against external pressures, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of the Akwesasne community.

6 to 8 Agriculture Program Staff trained by a Traditional Foods Educator will educate 150 community members and 5 farmers on traditional food practices and facilitate 156 weekly community days over 3 years at the Tribal Farm integrating Mohawk language into all activities.

By achieving performance targets, the SRMT Agriculture Program aims to effectively enhance food sovereignty, cultural resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices within the Akwesasne community.