"Local": An Indigenous Perspective
The topic of food varies in definition based on your region of the world, housing status, cultural values, and especially based upon your connectedness to locally sourced foods. The purpose of this project was used to develop a conceptual framework for what “local” truly means in a midwestern context. Using my fellow EcoliteracySCHOOL students (8 high school students and 7 college students) I dove into this topic. I reviewed literature to increase my understanding of writings by original locals, Native Americans, and how Indigenous people originally sourced their food. Determining what needs to be addressed in this informational project started with surveys asking the selected students what local means to them. Findings from this study concluded that high school students of this population base “local” off of proximity, not sustainability or connectivity to the region in which they live. This is pertinent in public health to advocate for the increased awareness of local foods, to promote a connection to the earth, and to create awareness of sustainable methods to minimize food deserts.