Preserving Our Seeds and Farmer Knowledge

 by Tony Skrelunas, Director of Native America

The new exhibit “Preserving Our Seeds and Farmer Knowledge” at the Intertribal Learning Center in Tuba City, Arizona, showcases efforts by elders and community leaders from 12 tribes across the Colorado Plateau to preserve dry farming practices that have allowed native peoples to flourish for thousands of years.

At our level of agriculture, Hopi agriculture, we’re seeing climate change on a scale that I never thought I’d see ...I’m only 51 years old and I’ve seen changes [that] are going to greatly impact the way we grow and produce and self-sustain. 
–Leonard Selestewa, traditional Hopi farmer

Preserving traditional ecological knowledge 

In the face of climate change, tribes' traditional ecological knowledge can help them adapt to hotter and drier temperatures. A coalition of elders and cultural leaders from across the plateau has been working to ensure that traditional farming and ancient food preparation practices are passed on to the next generation. Through tribal teachings and stories, the exhibit focuses on preserving heirloom seeds, stopping GMO contamination, revitalizing traditional intertribal networks, and supporting local food systems. A tribal-based community workshop series brings community members together to restore watersheds, springs, and irrigation sustems, build rainwater catchments, and plant crops.  

Saving culture

The exhibit is designed to offer youth the opportunity to learn about traditional tribal farming through interactive videos, as well as the chance to hear stories from traditional farmers and elders. The Colorado Plateau Intertribal Gathering invites school and community groups to schedule interactive visits, presentations, and tours of the exhibit. It's open by appointment only, so contact Alicia Tsosie or Stacie Tsingine to set a date today!