INTEGRATING CULTURE: INDIGENOUS PLANNING SYSTEMS
Indigenous planning systems vary by region, location, and Tribal community and this eFieldbook is mindful of the diversity throughout Turtle Island. The North American continent is commonly referred to as Turtle Island by Indigenous people because it is shaped like a turtle.
Seasons
When building Indigenous community food systems, Tribal communities may want to have discussions about the traditions and values that guide their planning. It is helpful to have these discussions early as this can help provide structure to programming and any outreach activities. For the Menominee Food Sovereignty project, planners were mindful of these systems and became more intentional about planning as work progressed. The Indigenous planning systems we will talk about in this eFieldbook include: seasons, moons, clans, and seven Grandfather Teachings and local values. Indigenous planning systems vary by region, location, and Tribal community and this eFieldbook is mindful of the diversity throughout Turtle Island. The North American continent is commonly referred to as Turtle Island by Indigenous people because it is shaped like a turtle. It also connects to many Indigenous oral histories. For Menominee people, there are multiple systems that guide planning. These systems are related to each other and not one system stands alone. Some are specific to the Menominee people and others have been adapted to fit the community. Information here is purposely vague and it is hoped that what is shared sparks local discussion about ways you can integrate culture into food sovereignty efforts. The environment and weather guide Indigenous food systems work. The Menominee people call the Great Lakes area home and have a reservation in what is now known as Wisconsin. Our ancestral homeland has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each of these seasons is a learning system with cultural stories and oral traditions that guide our collective behavior and our relationship with the environment. Menominee language is intrinsically tied to our seasons. Mapping out seasons can help frame past, current, and future food sovereignty work. Sīkwanowew: It is spring In spring, the weather is unpredictable, with snow, rain, and warm weather being present on any given day. Harvesting activities include maple syrup harvesting, spear fishing/fishing, and wild plant foraging (onions, fiddlehead ferns, spruce tips). Plants are blooming into another life. Spring is also the time to prepare seeds and soils for planting household and community gardens. Food sovereignty events that occur during this time include the community seed distribution, community plant distribution, seed blessing and Menominee dances, and garden education workshops.
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