Native American Heritage Month 2019: Looking to food for love and cultural preservation | October 2019

“In a garden, food arises from partnership,” writes Robin Wall Kimmerer. A group of RIT students, staff, and faculty are currently reading Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass.” This book is based on “Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teaching of plants.”

At the beginning of the year, Native American Future Stewards Program Director, Nicole Scott, wanted to focus on Food Sovereignty. “I like to plan things out about a year in advance, and after last year’s Native American Heritage Month (NAHM), the theme of food sovereignty kept showing up. The theme for our 2019 Native American Heritage Month is Deohako: Our life sustainers. Deohako is the Seneca word for the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash).”

“I wanted the Haudenosaunee’s Three Sisters to represent this year’s celebration. Their story is one of love and reciprocity. Yes, they can grow individually, but when they grow together, they flourish.”

This year’s keynote speaker Is Mariah Gladstone (Cherokee and Blackfeet). Gladstone grew up in Northwest Montana on and near the Blackfeet Reservation. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Environmental Engineering and returned home where she began her work on food advocacy. She developed Indigikitchen, an online cooking platform, to revitalize and re-imagine Native foods.

Gladstone has been named a "25 Under 25 Leader in Indian Country" and a "Champion for Change" by the Center for Native American Youth. Currently, Mariah is pursuing her Master’s degree in Environmental Science at SUNY-Syracuse’s Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. Her presentation will include a history of Native American food systems and foodways, and a sampling of indigenous foods.

“Mariah was a recommendation from one of my student leaders. After researching her a bit more, I thought she would be a fantastic keynote! I am very excited to meet her. I think Mariah embodies everything I hope to instill in my students—that their passions can and will benefit their communities.”

Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Indigenous Peoples Day Speaker, G. Peter Jemison
MOSAIC Center| 9 am – 10am

Friday, November 1
Native American Heritage Month Kickoff
Fireside Lounge | 11 am – 2pm

Monday, November 11
Canandaigua Treaty Day
Canandaigua, NY

Tuesday, November 19
Native American Heritage Month Keynote: Mariah Goldstone
Alumni House | 12 pm – 1:30 pm

Thursday, November 21
Native American Student Association Friendsgiving
Location TBD | 5:00 pm