From Resilience to Revolution to Restoration

Liberation Summit Nov. 6-8, 2024

​BEFORE AND AFTER FRY BREAD
By René Locklear White
I’m so excited to speak at the Liberation Summit this November in Rapid City! @ThunderValleyCDC has been hosting great Food Sovereignty and Media Summits for years, but this year they combined their summits to bring food, media, and language revitalization professionals together in a space dedicated to Lakota youth. I hope to see you there! #Liberation #Restoration #LiberationSummit #YouAreOnLakotaLand," 

​Mapping Out America’s Native Food Trail

​Pull up a chair. Let me tell you a story.

The road to our future has a veil. The path appears hidden, Nearly erased on purpose. The Americas’ Indigenous peoples and Native foods. 

What if we lift the veil? Witness sacred seed? Remember the sacred food songs? Celebrate the food dances? Discover what our ancestors knew? Unearth what is being lost? What is yet to be gained? 

​Right now, what do our diets look like? Are we really feeding ourselves? Or is someone feeding us what they want us to eat?

What’s behind the veil? Can we reconnect physically, mentally, and spiritually with Indigenous foods? Should we?

What if Indigenous foods can connect us to nature and to each other? I believe that the connectedness of our past remains with us.
​
What if we reset the table? … re-introduce everyone? What would happen if you discover this trail with me? Native Foods?
Native Food Films? Native Food Chefs & Restaurants? Native Food change-makers? Native Keepers of Sacred Seed?

I believe this could be a kind of homecoming. Afterall, Mitákuye Oyásʼiŋ; as the Lakota say, “We are all related.” 
I am a witness. A Locklear. Proud to be a Lumbee Indian. An emissary. A food warrior. From the swamps of Saddletree N.C. I believe we can travel back to the beginning. To our organic beginning. To the foundation of food purity. In nature’s pantry.

I believe when we share food We can grieve together. Heal together.  Experience joy. I believe Food is our medicine. Our story. Our song. Telling our food stories is an opportunity to sing our tribal anthems. This is a global responsibility. 

​We’ll be looking for you around the table. We’ll save you a seat okay?

Help me map out “America’s Native Food Trail” by emailing René at NativeFoodTrail@gmail.com with information about Native American Indian: chefs, restaurants, food films and cookbooks in your area. Then, watch this website come to life, creating a first-ever Native Food Trail for North America.
​This was initially a student-led project by ​University of N.C. at Pembroke's Student Fellow René Locklear White (Lumbee Indian) (photo left) and her friend and mapmaker Aaron Carapella (photo right). Donations are gladly excepted for this volunteer project.
Special Recognition to my friend Dr. Rudy Coronado Jr. for his relentless friendship and advice
Map Partner:  Aaron Carapella - Tribal Nations Maps (949) 415-4981 ​tribalnationsmap@gmail.com
This project is a result of a PURC Fellowship from the University of N.C. at Pembroke and  
Endorsed by the Native American non-profit Sanctuary on the Trail 501(c)3
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