First Advisor

Charles Klein

Date of Award

Spring 6-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology and University Honors

Department

Anthropology

Language

English

Subjects

food, sovereignty, Indigenous, community, garden, tradition

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of food sovereignty within the context of a community garden managed by the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in Portland, based on interviews with key garden coordinators and community members. The garden, initiated in 2019, emphasizes the cultivation of First Foods and traditional medicinal plants, serving as a space for cultural revitalization and community health. Food sovereignty, as defined by interviewees, encompasses a relational approach to plants as relatives, community control over food systems, and access to healthy, ancestral foods. The garden’s history highlights its development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its role in providing food, educational opportunities, and ceremonial spaces for the urban Native community. It also underscores the adaptation of traditional practices to address modern challenges like climate change. The impact of the garden extends beyond food production, creating a space for reconnection to traditional practices around food. This study situates the garden within broader Indigenous food sovereignty efforts in the Portland area, recognizing it as a critical yet singular component of a larger movement. The study is rooted in the researcher’s theory of praxis and personal decentralization, focusing on the relationship-building process in the research design per Kim Tallbear. The paper illustrates the intertwined nature of food, culture, and community in the pursuit of sovereignty and self-determination. It underscores the garden's role in addressing health disparities, promoting sustainability, and facilitating cultural continuity, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of Indigenous food sovereignty in an urban setting.

Download

Share

COinS