Lesson 4: Land Usage

Farmstand Business Curriculum

Warm-up

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1. What native land are we on? ��Use https://native-land.ca/ to find out

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1. Find and share out one fact about the Native tribe(s) whose land we’re on

Lesson Outline

• What native land are we on?
• What are the key differences between Indigenous practices and industrial farming practices?
• What is a land acknowledgement?
• What communal and indigenous land use practices can we bring into our vision for urban food production?

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What native land are we on?

• The Lenape stewarded the land in the Americas
• 400 years ago, Dutch settlers attempted to make treaties with the Lenape people
• Lenapehoking stretched from New York City to Philadelphia

What native land are we on?

• 1621: “Sale” of Manhattan from Lenape people to Dutch settlers
• No validity to this claim, caused tension between the tribes
• Resulted in mass massacres of native people and forced displacement of the Lenape people

Native perspectives of food and growing

• Deep reverence for nature, closely connected with the land
• Lenape people are stewards of the land for generations before the Europeans arrived
• Native people believe that the Earth is alive, and that everything living is a part of it

Native communities today

• 2020 census: In New York City, 180,866 people or 2% of population identify as American Indian or Alaska Native
• Despite the erasure and history of oppression against Native people, Native tribes continue to exist and celebrate their cultural heritage across the United States

Land Acknowledgement

Formal statement that acknowledges the Indigenous peoples of the land of which you are living, working, or growing on. It’s important that a land acknowledgement includes some form of action.

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Can you think of some forms of action that show respect to the native land you’re on?

Land Acknowledgement Example

We gather here today on the occupied land of the Munsee Lenni Lenape peoples. We pay respect to their ancestors, past and present, and recognize these lands and waters and their significance for the people that stewarded this place. Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring us together here today.

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Activity One:

Indigenous Knowledge, Agriculture & the Environment

“One of the things that modern agriculture lacks is respect, respect for the soil, and respect for the plants, the insects, the animals, and the microorganisms that enrich the soil. And even respect for the people who eat their food. Modern agriculture seeks to control everything, which it cannot do. Native Americans had a much greater understanding of and respect for the circle of life. Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will you realize you cannot eat money.” - The Cree Tribe

Share Out:

Group One - Food Access

Share Out:

Group Two - Environment

Share Out:

Group Three - Public Health

Share Out:

Group Four - Climate Change

Discussion Questions

Is there a way for Indigenous knowledge to exist in tandem with industrial agriculture? If so, what do you envision that looks like?

Activity Two:

Building Community in Community Gardens

Reflection Questions:

Create a statement of purpose (kind of land acknowledgement) for your vision of growing on the land you are on.

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Record it somewhere so you can reference it later!

Questions?

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