Preserving Indigenous Roots: The Gete Miinikaanan Project's Transformative Approach

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (LVD) and the USDA Forest Service have joined forces to launch the Gete Miinikaanan (Ancient Seeds) Project. This initiative aims to foster food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and strengthen the connection between the LVD community and the land they have called home for generations.

Reclaiming the Roots of Tradition

Nurturing Indigenous Food Sovereignty

The Gete Miinikaanan Project represents a significant step towards enhancing access to healthy, nutritious Indigenous foods, traditional medicines, and other plant materials on National Forest and Tribal lands. By dedicating space at the J.W. Toumey Nursery in Watersmeet to sow and grow plants of tribal significance, the project will provide the LVD community with a direct connection to the land and the resources it has sustained for centuries.This collaborative effort will not only revitalize the community's access to traditional foods and medicines but also create pathways for tribal members to engage in federal employment opportunities. The project will hire a three-person year-round tribal crew, a two-person Indigenous youth tribal crew, an equipment operator trainee, and an ethnobotanist, empowering the LVD community to actively participate in the stewardship of their ancestral lands.

Preserving Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Integral to the Gete Miinikaanan Project is the preservation and sharing of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK). The project aims to collaborate with elders and document their invaluable knowledge of plants significant to the tribe. This effort aligns with the USDA Secretary's Order No. 3403 and the Presidential Executive Order on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge, ensuring the confidentiality and protection of this sacred knowledge.By blending the traditional knowledge of the Tribal Crew Members with the scientific expertise of the nursery staff, the project will foster a holistic approach to restoring plant communities and ecosystems within the 1842 Ceded Territory. This synergy of traditional and modern knowledge will not only preserve the LVD's cultural heritage but also contribute to the broader understanding of sustainable land management practices.

Empowering Tribal Youth

The Gete Miinikaanan Project also presents a unique opportunity for tribal youth to explore career paths within the US Forest Service. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation and the Reforestation Trust Fund, the project will provide valuable summer employment for Indigenous youth crews, allowing them to gain hands-on experience at the nursery and potentially pursue long-term careers in the field of natural resource management.This investment in the next generation of LVD stewards not only strengthens the community's connection to the land but also ensures the continuity of traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable land management practices. By engaging tribal youth, the project paves the way for a future where the LVD's cultural heritage and environmental stewardship are passed down to future generations.

A Collaborative Approach to Co-Stewardship

The Gete Miinikaanan Project represents a groundbreaking partnership between the LVD and the USDA Forest Service, marking a significant milestone in their shared commitment to co-stewardship of the land. The Ottawa National Forest, under the leadership of Forest Supervisor Darla Lenz, is thrilled to work alongside the LVD community to identify sites of plants of tribal significance, propagate seeds at the Toumey Nursery, and outplant on Tribal or National Forest lands.This collaborative approach not only honors the LVD's deep-rooted connection to the land but also recognizes the invaluable knowledge and expertise they bring to the table. By working in tandem, the LVD and the USDA Forest Service are poised to redefine the way public lands are managed, setting a precedent for inclusive, sustainable, and culturally-informed stewardship practices.