A PEOPLE RETURN TO THEIR AGRICULTURAL
ROOTS -- ONEIDA NATION BEGINS FARMING ON
ITS LANDS
ONEIDA INDIAN TERRITORY, via Oneida, NY -- A year ago, the
summer breeze gently combed through the wild grasses on a small
deserted crop field in Verona. Now, when the summer breeze drifts
through that field, newly sprouted Indian corn stocks rustle.
The Oneida Nation is farming about 1,000 acres of reacquired lands
this summer. Much of this land has suffered decades of misuse, abuse,
and over-farming since being systematically robbed from the Oneida
People over a century ago.
Initially, the Nation's newly created Agricultural Department is
growing crops designed to nourish the lands. These include legumes,
alfalfa, hay, and bird's-foot trefoil. Peter Zawko, Agriculture
Department director, said this process should take about three years.
However, Indian corn, a white kernel corn, has been planted and
recently sprouted adjacent to the Agriculture Department's
maintenance/storage facility. The seeds that this corn was cultivated
from were given to the department by generations of Oneida
Members who have continued to grow the corn since time
immemorial.
Over the years, Indian corn has been cross-pollinated with other
varieties of corn. In a cooperative working relationship with plant
scientist at Cornell University, the Nation will be developing Indian
corn into a unified hybrid that is consistent to strains Oneida People
have grown since they were heralded as expert farmers over two
centuries ago. Zawko said this process could take up to five seasons
to accomplish.
Eventually, the Nation will farm a variety of crops in keeping with
the tradition of the Oneida Nation. These include squash and beans
which complete the Oneida tradition of the Three Sisters -- squash,
corn and beans -- the sustainers of life. Starting this fall, the Nation
is planning to raise beef livestock including deer and bison. Initially,
harvested crops will be used by Oneida Members. In the future, crops
and livestock may be used for Nation enterprises and commercial use.
For more information contact Diane Stirling, director, or Ken
Zeszutko, media coordinator, Oneida Nation Communications
Department, (315) 829-3090 or email the nation at
umstead@oneida-nation.org.
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Daniel Umstead * The Oneida Indian Nation
Internet Coordinator *
Oneida Indian Nation * "The first Indian Nation on
315-361-6300 *
315-361-6333 (fax) * the World Wide Web"
umstead@oneida-nation.org *
* URL - http://nysernet.org/oneida/
*
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