Since 1990, every November we celebrate Native American Heritage Month for the history, culture, and achievements of the original Indigenous people and their descendants. These observances serve as a time to educate and appreciate the contributions made by Native communities over the past 30,000 years.
Modern Food Systems and Their Indigenous Origins
With strong ties to the land around them, Native culture has a powerful influence on modern day Americana - and in particular, American food.
Did you know that 60% of consumed goods in the U.S. come from Native food systems?
Indigenous agriculture is responsible for beans, corn, potatoes, wild rice, blueberries, tomatoes, peanuts, and even chocolate. From pineapples to chilies, it’s hard to imagine modern day cuisine without these foods! Check out a full list of agricultural ingredients here.
In Native culture, food is much more than sustenance – it’s a part of identity, spirituality, and connection to the land. Food, in many ways, is how indigenous people passed down their culture and traditions while maintaining their relationship with the living world around them.
We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees.- Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
Traditional Foods in Native American Culture
Dating back to 8000 to 1000 B.C.E, Native Americans would primarily acquire food through hunting and gathering. These traditional practices were considered a sacred and important part of Native life.
Historically, hunting happened in groups and used a variety of tactics to lure and trap animals. For tribes that resided near water, fishing with nets and spears was common practice. With a deep respect for the world around them, these animals were always seen as a sacrifice and a spirit to honor. During this time, it became tradition to perform rituals after hunting as a way to give gratitude and respect to the animal. To ensure nothing went to waste, the entire animal was often used:
- Skin/hide used for shelter and clothing.
- Meats smoked or dried for extended storage.
- Bones crafted into weapons, utensils, and jewelry.
Currently, there are no tribes that live on hunting and gathering alone. But even though it isn’t as prevalent now, when allowed by local law and reservation regulation, many tribes still hunt as a continued cultural practice and an additional food source.
Indigenous culture also recognizes the importance of nature and the surrounding environment for survival, and thus the need to live harmoniously with the land. With this comes a deep knowledge and understanding of the plants and ecosystem around them.
Starting in the Paleoindian period (12,000 to 8,000 BC), gathering became important to tribes without farming on their land. But it was principal to never over harvest and to only take what you need. Similarly to hunting, after harvesting produce, such as wild rice, berries and nuts, rituals were performed to honor the plants for their nutritious gifts.
Due to colonization many of these rituals, practices, and languages have been lost. Over 65 Indigenous languages are already extinct in the U.S. and 75 are near extinction. Some native languages that became extinct in the 21st century are: Serrano, Unami, Klamath-Modoc, Osage, and Eyak. In addition, colonization displaced tribes and forced them to live outside of their land and without their traditional foods. These factors continue to affect Native Americans living on reservations today. With limited employment opportunities and resources, many Natives choose bulk, low-cost groceries over fresh ones.
A pound of apples on a reservation costs 83 cents more than the national average.
Something so common to Americans such as dairy was never a part of the Native diet. The loss of traditional foods is now contributing to health issues among Native Americans. According to the Native Indian Council on Aging, “American Indian and Alaska Native elders face disparate rates of obesity: nearly 40 percent of men and more than 46 percent of women are obese. The rates of diabetes among Native people are more striking: more than 16 percent have diabetes, a rate more than twice as high as that of the general population in the U.S.”
What does Native American Food Sovereignty mean?
There’s not one definition for food sovereignty. Originally, it was a term coined by La Via Campesina, an organization founded in 1993 to connect rural and indigenous farmworkers and protect their agricultural systems. They defined the term as, “the right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods and their right to define their food and agriculture systems.”
Specifically in the Native American community, food sovereignty empowers these households to fight food insecurity and cultivate their native, fresh foods.
Currently, 25% of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives are facing food insecurity.
Without access to their traditional foods, Indigenous communities in America are at higher risk of hunger, chronic health conditions, and have a lower life expectancy. After being displaced and having their food systems depleted over hundreds of years, Native Americans still struggle to find access to healthy, reliable, and affordable food.
According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, “Food sovereignty initiatives like farm-to-table and farm-to-school programs are important for the long-term health, economic stability, and cultural preservation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.”
The Significance of Modern Food Sovereignty
Movements advocating for Native American food sovereignty aim to return to traditional food ways before colonization. Initiatives such as the USDA Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative promote traditional food ways, agriculture markets, and Indigenous health through foods tailored to American Indian and Alaska Native dietary needs. By partnering with tribal-serving organizations, the USDA is reimagining federal food and agriculture programs from an Indigenous perspective to inform future policies. When protecting food sovereignty the seven pillars include:
- Focuses on food for people.
- Builds knowledge and skills.
- Works with nature.
- Values food providers.
- Localizes food systems.
- Puts control locally.
- Food is sacred.
This is an opportunity for indigenous communities to rebuild their relationship with the land and to live alongside it as they were always meant to. It’s not just about having food; it’s about having the right foods. It’s about reclaiming their food systems, honoring their ancestors, and protecting traditions for all future generations.
You can learn more about how hunger affects Native American communities across the country.
Are you a member of a tribe and/or of indigenous descent? Do you have a story about food sovereignty to share? We’d love to hear it.
