In the course I’m taking this semester, IST142: Land, Water, & Stewardship, our textbook is a collection of essays from various authors called Lighting the Eighth Fire. The very first chapter raised an “a-ha!” feeling within me, another puzzle piece offering insight to western society’s disrespect of the land.
Writer Susan M. Hill provides a brief overview of the Haudenosaunee Creation Story (also referred to as the Original Instructions), and then offers a few key lessons embedded in the story. She shares how the grandsons of Skywoman created almost everything on Earth, and the son who created humans instructed them to plant food crops. This was to provide for their sustenance and to keep them connected to the land.
“A people dependent on their land understand the need to treat the land with great respect and conservation.”
How true. And how far removed are most modern humans from the process of food cultivation. Most of us have no idea how imperative healthy land and water is to our daily meal planning. Without these crucial foundations, our access to organic fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients would dissolve.
Have you ever complained about the price difference between organic and non-organic foods? It’s because the best quality products use only completely clean and natural resources to produce, which is becoming harder to accomplish in current times.
I digress—my intention here today is to invite everyone to look at the land and waters surrounding us through the scope of a farmer. Or anyone who plants crops with the hope of abundant production.
If humans were to truly prioritize food security, we would each have a garden in our backyards. We would each be in relationship with that piece of land and its health. The reality is a lot of us do not have the time for such an undertaking. Gardening is work. But maybe we can root our feet in the reality that the foods we consume require nutrient-dense earth in which to grow.
Every single person on this planet can relate to the necessity to eat. So why are some of us still turning a blind eye to the toxic ways our earth is treated? Why are some of us not thoroughly bothered by oil spills? Excessive landfill waste? Skyrocketing air/water/land pollution?
How can anyone on this Earth who consumes food be allowed the luxury of ignoring the many attacks on our planet’s health that occur every day?
Something we all need to understand is that Indigenous laws and ways of life are intrinsically tied to the respect and care for this planet. What they are advocating for literally benefits everyone and our ability to eat, survive, and thrive here.
How the first peoples exist on this land should be the example we all, as guests, should follow.