Monday, October 10, 2022
Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the past, present, and future of Native Peoples throughout the United States. The holiday recognizes the legacy and impact of colonialism on Native communities and also celebrates the cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native peoples. It is celebrated on the second Monday of October. More and more cities and states are recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a counter-holiday to Columbus Day. Wisconsin first did so in 2019.
The land where Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is located is the ancestral home of Ho-Chunk Nation, who have called this land Teejob (day-JOPE).
Hunger impacts every community in the United States, yet Native Americans are more likely to face hunger. Before the pandemic, 1 in 4 Native Americans struggled with hunger — more than twice the rate of white individuals.
Feeding Wisconsin, the state-wide association of Feeding America food banks, is working with Tribal partners to support programs that increase nutrition security to ensure that all Tribal members have the food that they need and desire, and Tribal food sovereignty by expanding support and capacity of Tribal producers. The Ho-Chunk Nation has partnered with Second Harvest to administer the monthly Tribal Elder Food Box Program, which runs May – December. The average box is 14-16 pounds and contains a combination of protein, produce, and shelf-stable items like white corn, maple syrup, and wild rice. Each box is accompanied by a newsletter containing weekly producer profile spotlights and recipes contributed by Indigenous chefs and home cooks.
Ho-Chunk Nation has distributed 1,750 boxes to Tribal Elders within 9 communities.
The September box included the following items from local and Tribal producers:
Red Cliff Fish -Smoked Whitefish
Superior Fresh -Frozen Salmon
WI Pork Association -Ground Pork
Bodwewadmi Ktegan -Aquaponic Lettuce
Cattail Organics -Carrots
We Grow LLC. – Mixed Herbs
Sterling Farms -Paroli Potatoes
Bushel and a Peck Apples -Apples
Seasonal Harvest -Garlic Bulbs
Red Door Family Farm -Onions
Naturally Wild-Wild Rice
On Monday, October 10, Second Harvest will observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We encourage staff to use this day to observe, reflect, and learn more about Indigenous People.
For ideas on how you can observe and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, click here.
Social media accounts to follow:
- https://www.facebook.com/madisoncollegeNASA
- https://www.facebook.com/Native-American-Community-of-Madison-220449291339915
- https://www.facebook.com/HCNMadBranch
Some local celebrations you may be interested in are:
- Feeding America presents: Indigenous People’s Day Celebration, Friday Oct, 7 10-11:30am CT
- UW Madison is hosting an American Indian Studies 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Discovery Building. This event is open to the public, however registration is highly encouraged.
Additional Resources:
Sites to learn what indigenous land you live on:
Websites Connecting to our work in food/nutrition security:
- https://www.indigenousfoodsystems.org/food-sovereignty
- https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/9-ways-to-learn-about-indigenous-food-systems/
- https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/2020/11/november-native-american-heritage-month
- https://hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/resource/first-glance-hunger-health-equity-spotlight-native-americans/