ONEIDA RESERVATION — The Oneida Nation in Wisconsin was recently noted in a report released by the United Nations. The report called, ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021. The portion about Oneida is on page 121 (PDF page 147) The Oneida Nation was the only indigenous nation in the United States to make the final report, and one of only eight indigenous nations in the entire World. The article was based upon a case study by Ryan Seelau from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
The Oneida Integrated Food Systems (OCIFS), is an intricate system built to sustain the Oneida Nation’s traditions and provide stable sources of food. With this system, the Nation is working to solidify its autonomy, reduce rates of diabetes and heart disease, and preserve its culture, a movement known as food sovereignty.
Oneida’s Integrated Food System includes an aquaponics system, a cannery, a farmers market, an apple orchard, an emergency food pantry and food distribution center, an organic farm called Tsyunhehkwa (pronounced joon-hey-kwa) and a larger farm that raises cash crops, beef and buffalo.
Oneida Nation Chairman, Tehassi Hill, shared, “It’s critical to our future generations that we get back to our traditional culture and practices as it relates to food, nutrition, and ultimately our health.”
Oneida’s sustainable agricultural practices were developed before the arrival of Europeans and were perfected over centuries. The integrated food system teach individuals those traditions. The programs include Farm to School Program, Annual Youth Day on the Farm, OCIFS Activity Books, Workshops- Gardening, Healthy Soils, Composting and Farmers Markets.
“While the Oneida Nation recognizes there are many other Indigenous communities working on their local food systems, we are honored to be recognized by the United Nations on the work we have accomplished. It is our hope that in the future other Indigenous communities will be equally recognized for their food systems work,” Chairman Hill said.
For more information contact: Mgr. Food and Agriculture, Vanessa Miller (920) 869-4553 vmiller@oneidanation.org
— Oneida Nation
For more news from Wisconsin, click here.