Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference will be held in March

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For years, Indigenous food producers and local communities have worked together to create the Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference, for the purpose of restoring, creating and nurturing Indigenous farming and food economies n the Great Lakes region.

This year the Maawanji'idiwag Ji Gizhaadamowaad Miinkaanan, "They are Gathering to Protect the Seeds" Great Lakes Indigenous Farming Conference will again be held. This time the event will take place on the White Earth Reservation on March 3-7 at the Maplelag Resort in White Earth, Minnesota. The annual event is hosted by White Earth Land Recovery Project and it's goal is to teach people about soil, renewable energy, gardening and greenhouses.
The conference will feature local, regional, and international speakers. Attendees will learn about local food systems, pesticide drift, and how indigenous nations are restoring traditional foods and working towards sustainable communities, the 1855 Treaty, wild rice and sulfate mining, and slow foods. Resentatives from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Standing Rock Sioux, and Tesuque Pueblo will be on hand to share their knowledge.
As in past years, the organizers expect to see herbalist, gardeners, horticulturists, students and farmers all gathering to share knowledge on planting and harvesting. Featured workshop topics will include developing an indigenous seed library, seed preservation and restoration programs, bee keeping and bee health, USDA programs and other resources, building healthy soils, and using grow boxes. The conference will also offer a day-long youth tract for youth-centered activities.
The daily conference fee is $25. The full conference fee is $50. THe conference is open to the public. The Annual WELRP Membership meeting will be held on March 4th, 2011 featuring a Slow Food Dinner provided by Native Harvest.
For more information call Karla Bellanger at 218-375-2600 or email: events@welrp.org.