Seventh Generation Fund Supports Traditional Food Systems in Hopi

Seventh Generation Fund Attends the 2012 Hopi Agriculture and Food Symposium

On July 30th and 31st, the Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development attended the 2012 Hopi Agriculture and Food Symposium at the Hopi Day School in Kyotsmovi, AZ. The Symposium was hosted by the Natwani Coalition, a project of The Hopi Foundation. The Hopi Foundation is a long‐standing grantee and sister organization of the Seventh Generation Fund. Our organization was honored to attend and participate in this event as a respectful guest and supporter on Hopi territory, for we have been involved with traditional food systems work since our inception. We are ever grateful and Pind it truly rewarding to see the progress, the fruits of our colleagues’ labor, and the hard work that the Natwani Coalition and the Hopi Foundation come full circle and continue to manifest.

The theme of the Symposium was “Natwani.” Natwani is a Hopi term that means produce or vegetables, but it is more complex and speciPically involves the processes of planting, harvesting, processing, hunting and the gathering of food. Natwani embodies the delicate, sacred and inextricable physical, cultural and spiritual relationships between the Earth, food, and the People. The Seventh Generation Fund had the honor and the opportunity to eat delicious, healthy traditional Hopi foods such as piki, sweet corn and watermelon, to meet amazing people, make new friends and engage with the community. Our organization participated in a series of site visits to Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture, Tuupeplalwa (corn baking) and Sustainable Living, and a visit to a corn/bean Pield. Max Taylor and Leonard Talaswaima facilitated the corn/bean site visit. Max and Leonard shared their knowledge and experiences about traditional Hopi farming, and how having positive, healthy relationships with yourself, your community, your culture, the land, food and your plants are essential to be a good, successful farmer.

The event also consisted of a series of open session discussions, such as Outside Seeds and Hopi Food and Farming Policy. During this session, facilitated by Susan Secakuku, the Seventh Generation Fund had the opportunity to participate in a discussion about traditional Hopi food and farming policy, mainly, traditional (Hopi) versus non‐traditional (non‐Hopi/ Western) attitudes and practices, the increasing disconnect between generations and communication between them, and the complicity and complacency in adopting pahaana practices. Many community members in the session agreed that traditional Hopi food should enhance Hopi life and make the community happy. In addition, commitment should be valued and Hopi teachings are engaged in activity. Caring for the Earth, for the People, and sharing what you have are fundamental principles and values of Hopi life. With the implementation and introduction of outside sources of seeds, foods and farming practices (such as a tractor), these values have been obfuscated and distorted.

Once again the Seventh Generation Fund was honored to attend and participate in the 2012 Hopi Food and Agriculture Symposium, as a respectful guest and as an ardent supporter of traditional food systems, farming practices and sustainable living.