Dream of Wild Health 25th Anniversary Event

Summary

This video celebrates the 25th anniversary of Dream of Wild Health, highlighting its mission to restore the relationship between Native communities and their land through traditional food practices. Since its founding in 1986, the organization has empowered individuals of all ages, promoting cultural recovery and environmental stewardship. The speakers reflect on the transformative power of gardening and indigenous knowledge, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and connection to the earth. With gratitude, they acknowledge the collective efforts that have led to the flourishing of traditional seeds and the ongoing work to nurture healthy communities for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Celebrating 25 years of Dream of Wild Health, a program focused on preserving the relationship between Native people and the land.
• 🌱 The organization was originally founded in 1986 as Pakan Tipi and evolved to emphasize traditional food access and cultural recovery.
• 👶 Dream of Wild Health works with all ages, from babies to elders, to restore traditional foods and ways of life.
• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes the importance of cultural connection to land, especially for future generations.
• 🌾 The organization plays a critical role in addressing climate change and fostering stewardship of the land.
• 🧑‍🌾 The gift of seeds from seed keeper K Baker was pivotal in the organization's mission and responsibility to cultivate endangered crops.
• 🥕 The success of Dream of Wild Health is attributed to a focus on spirit and prayer in agricultural practices.
• 🔄 Agriculture is described as a replenishing cycle, contrasting extractive practices with sustainable farming.
• 🌿 The organization has gained national recognition for its efforts in restoring Indigenous food systems.
• 🙏 Gratitude is expressed towards the community, staff, and everyone involved in the mission to promote health and healing through food.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Dream of Wild Health?

Dream of Wild Health aims to recover and preserve the relationship between Native peoples and their land, focusing on restoring traditional foods, ceremonies, and ways of life.

When was Dream of Wild Health founded?

Dream of Wild Health was originally founded in 1986, and it evolved from a garden program created in 1998.

Who does Dream of Wild Health serve?

The organization serves Native communities, including individuals from infants to elders, promoting healthy food access and cultural recovery.

What personal experiences does the speaker share?

The speaker reflects on their own experiences as a young Native person feeling lost and emphasizes the importance of reconnecting children to the land and cultural practices.

What role does agriculture play in the organization’s mission?

Agriculture is seen as a process connected to culture, focusing on sustainable practices that replenish the soil and support food sovereignty.

How has Dream of Wild Health impacted seed preservation?

The organization has helped recover nearly extinct seeds, such as the Cherokee Trail of Tears corn and traditional tobacco, making them available as food for the community.

What significance does the speaker attribute to spirituality in their work?

Spirituality and prayer are central to the organization’s work, believed to nurture the plants and foster community engagement in agricultural practices.

What challenges does the speaker identify regarding the connection to land?

The speaker identifies a significant disconnect between human beings, the land, and traditional practices, exacerbated by contemporary issues like climate change.

How does the speaker view the future in terms of land stewardship?

The speaker expresses hope for the future, emphasizing the need for the next generation to become stewards of the land and understand their connection to it.

What is the overall sentiment expressed during the 25th-anniversary celebration?

The overall sentiment is one of gratitude and pride in the accomplishments of the organization and the community’s collective efforts over the past 25 years.