[Full Interview] Unexpected Agricultures – with Lyla June Johnston
Jul 19, 2022
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Lyla June Johnston is an Indigenous public speaker, artist, and scholar focused on food systems revitalization. In this enlightening chat, she delves into the rich history of Indigenous food systems and their cultural significance. Johnston discusses the ecological roles of various species and the necessity of viewing humans as stewards of the Earth. She highlights the importance of reclaiming food sovereignty and the interconnections within ecosystems. With a blend of personal narratives and historical examples, she advocates for sustainable practices that restore our relationship to food and land.
Lyla June Johnston emphasizes the need to reconnect with nature through practices like foraging to enhance ecological appreciation.
The podcast highlights Indigenous food systems as sophisticated models of agriculture that prioritize biodiversity and sustainability over mere yield.
The role of humans as keystone species is essential, advocating for stewardship and reciprocal relationships that benefit both people and nature.
Deep dives
Reconnecting with Nature
The episode emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with nature and understanding our role within various ecosystems. It discusses how engaging with the natural world, such as through foraging and observing wildlife, can deepen our appreciation for life around us. Listeners are encouraged to become active participants in ecosystem restoration, cultivating skills that help revive and sustain natural habitats. Such active engagement fosters a sense of responsibility and connection to the environment, promoting practices that nurture both human and ecological health.
Indigenous Agricultural Wisdom
Indigenous food systems are highlighted as complex, holistic approaches to agriculture that have thrived for thousands of years. Lila June Johnston shares how Indigenous peoples managed landscapes through methods like clam gardens and controlled burns, which enhance biodiversity and support other species. These practices illustrate a deep understanding of ecological balance, contrasting sharply with modern agricultural methods that often prioritize yield over sustainability. Recognizing the sophistication of these systems can inspire contemporary approaches to food production that are more equitable and ecologically sound.
Human Responsibility as Stewards of the Earth
The role of humans as keystone species in ecosystems is presented, where our actions can either support or detract from biodiversity. The conversation addresses the reciprocal relationship humans can have with nature, where stewardship includes giving back to the earth as we take from it. Specific examples, like the Heltsuk Nation's efforts to enhance herring habitats, showcase how intentional human involvement can positively shape and rejuvenate ecosystems. This notion challenges the prevailing mindset that human existence is detrimental, suggesting instead that we have a vital role in fostering life.
The Importance of Community and Shared Practices
The podcast explores how individual and collective practices can redefine our relationship with land, especially through communal efforts in agriculture. Participants are urged to consider local governance and cooperative models that honor natural land flows, facilitating a shared connection to food production. By breaking down fences, both literal and metaphorical, communities can work together to manage resources effectively, promoting sustainability and ecological health. This collaboration can lead to more resilient local food systems that align with Indigenous wisdom and practices.
Spirituality and Gratitude in Food Practices
The episode underscores the significance of integrating spiritual practices and gratitude into everyday food rituals. Lila June Johnston discusses offerings made to the earth before eating, emphasizing the sacred nature of the food we consume and the interconnectedness of all life. This perspective encourages mindfulness about the impact of our consumption, fostering a sense of respect toward both the food and the environment. By viewing food as a process rather than a mere commodity, individuals can cultivate a deeper, more compassionate relationship with the sources of their nourishment.
Lyla June Johnston is an Indigenous public speaker, artist, poet, scholar and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages. She blends her studies in human ecology at Stanford University, graduate work in Native American Pedagogy at the University of New Mexico, and the indigenous worldview she grew up with.
Lyla and I got together to discuss her brilliant PhD research on Indigenous Food Systems Revitalization. In this interview we discuss what 6000-year-old clam gardens in the Pacific Northwest, buffalo prairies, kelp forests, hemlock boughs, and herring eggs all have in common; the role of reciprocity in food systems; human beings as a keystone species; the reclamation of our own food production; land fragmentation, and thinking like a watershed.
Guided by indigenous values and understandings, this conversation charts the path to how we can restore our relationship to farming and food, and how these ancient ingenious systems can help us rethink our broken food systems.
