The thin veil of hair is soft against my fingertips, the uneven texture of her skin grazes my palms, and my muddy and worn-out boots bury themselves deeper into the mud. Her eyes are gentle and benevolent, I view the creature as a reflection of my own innocence and sensitivity....
The thin veil of hair is soft against my fingertips, the uneven texture of her skin grazes my palms, and my muddy and worn-out boots bury themselves deeper into the mud. Her eyes are gentle and benevolent, I view the creature as a reflection of my own innocence and sensitivity. I can’t help but marvel at the large creature standing before me. Underneath the thick white leather coat and powerful structure, I feel as though our hearts are connected, beating in unison. Nearby I can hear my Grandfather working intently, busy perfecting a new eco-friendly pesticide for his crops. Behind me lies an old, dilapidated barn that sits next to the swimming hole that my mom and her sisters used to play in. The warm wind around my face makes the water all the more tempting. From a distance, my grandpa calls for me, wanting to teach me about his new creation.
My family’s homestead was where I spent most summers. The land, which has been passed down through generations, was cared for by my grandfather, Don. Grazing land and blue skies stretch as far as the eye can see. Although it may seem underwhelming to some, to me, the farm was a safe place where my thoughts can roam free, similar to the cattle scattered across the yellow-green pastures. The property is nestled between Valier and Conrad, two quaint towns in northwestern Montana. Just a short car ride away lies the boundary to the Blackfeet reservation. Although the cultural differences are stark, my grandfather revered their traditional agricultural practices and admired their relationship with nature. His neighbors, who were mostly indigenous, often shared their own cultural values with him. Like our farm, the mutual respect for the land has been passed down through our family. Grandpa Don strived to teach those around him about farming, and most importantly, protecting our natural resources. He passed down the notion that our connection to nature can be cultural, but that it is also built within us. This view of the natural world inspired me from a young age. I witnessed the beauty of the untouched land as well as the sorrowful realities within it. Although our family does not have a lot of Native American ancestry, many of us learned about sustainable living and farming tactics from the Blackfoot community.
The Blackfeet people, a nomadic tribe, have occupied the Rocky Mountain region for thousands of years. They followed the natural migration and seasonal grazing habits of animals, such as buffalo. Their land not only sustains their agriculturally based economy but also plays a significant role in their spiritual beliefs (blackfeetnation.com). According to the 2012 census, Native Americans make up 1.8% of the nation’s total number of farm operators. Farms with Native American operators also tend to be smaller, with fewer acres and lower sales than farms overall. I think that this leads back to their central view of natural resources (U.S. American Indian Agriculture at a Glance). In contrast to some Western civilization ideologies, many Native Americans view the land less as a commodity used for profit and more as something that deserves respect and humility (uwash.edu). Luther Standing Bear, an Oglala Sioux Chief, expressed his cultural connection to the natural world saying “The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers; he belongs just as the buffalo belonged…”. This quote exemplifies the importance of nature to northwestern indigenous peoples as well as the idea that the natural world is built within us.
About 65 percent of Montana is made up of farms and rangeland. Industrialization and increased manufacturing have dramatically affected Montana’s land and agricultural practices. In 2016, the Montana Farmers Union acknowledged the climate crisis, stating that livestock and pasture quality is rapidly declining. The prolonging of heated summer seasons cohabited by less moisture will strain livestock and rangeland (The Impact of Climate Change on Montana’s Agriculture Economy). Although this promotes economic growth, some argue that the negative environmental impacts will diminish the tribal lands’ natural resources. Since Native American culture is predominately based within their native crops and wildlife; the destruction of their environment is detrimental to a substantial amount of their traditional practices and principles.
Grandpa Don held a deep respect for these principals and his Blackfeet neighbors across the road. He was zealous about being a good steward of the land. Inspired by various native farming practices, he consistently formulated strategies to ensure the growth of healthy crops without the use of toxic chemicals. His devotion to healthy and sustainable food inspired dozens of farmers in the northern Montana region.
Environmental and Indigenous preservation ideologies have had a significant impact on my relationship with the natural world. I was taught how to honor and respect the natural world, in addition to our role as humans within it. I had the unique opportunity to witness different perspectives on these issues. In my opinion, we should be able to learn from each other, respect and celebrate our cultural differences. I am indebted for the knowledge my grandfather shared with me, and his contributions to sustainable farming.
Works Cited
- “Our Culture.” Blackfeet Nation, blackfeetnation.com/our-culture/.
- “The Impact of Climate Change on Montana’s Agriculture Economy.” Montana Farmers Union, https://montanafarmersunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/FINAL_Impact_Climate_Change_MT_Ag_Econ_Power_Consulting_2-24-2016.pdf.
- “U.S. American Indian Agriculture at a Glance.” USDA-NASS Montana Field Office, https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Montana/Publications/Charts_and_Graphs/American_Indian_Profile_2012.pdf
- “United States Department of Agriculture.” USDA, www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2012/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_US_State_Level/.
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