Supporting Indigenous-Led Efforts In Colorado
Both on and beyond Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it is our duty as a community bound by love, land and food to honor Colorado’s original stewards, the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), hinono’eino’ biito’owu’ (Arapaho). We have four Indigenous food organizations you can support right here in Colorado.
Many of us constantly benefit from a history of pain and bloodshed even as this land was soiled with greed and gluttony. Only together, can we nurture seeds of joy, love, and unity, actively creating a better home for our kids and future generations of Coloradans. We must support the Indigenous people who survived, remain and are paving the way for us all to live a better life.
Stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples – you can:
Donate time and money to Indigenous-led organizations and communities
Lift up and centering the voices of Indigenous People
Learn about the rich history of the Indigenous peoples who cared for this land
Include space for meaningful land acknowledgements in events and presentations
Return land to its original stewards
Spirit of the Sun, an Indigneous womxn-led nonprofit, empowers Native youth. One of their two farms was created by Rasa – a youth member – who said, “This small farm was created to grow Indigenous food in the heart of Denver.” They also put together individual or family sized boxes full of nutritious and healthy food that go out to elders and community members. You can support their mission by volunteering here.
Tocabe is the only American Indian owned restaurant in the metro Denver area and is also one of only a handful in the United States. As part of their philosophy, they source ingredients from Native and Indigenous producers in Colorado and around the country, like Red Lake Nation Foods wild rice and maple syrup from Minnesota and Ramona Farms tepary beans and wheat berries from Arizona. Tocabe has a one-of-a-kind Indigenous Online Market, full of Native and Indigenous ingredients and recipes for folks to experience. Grab some lunch here soon to support Native and local farmers.
Four Directions Cuisine is a labor of love for founder and advocate Chef Andrea Murdorch. Chef Andrea is an “Andean Native from Venezuela who passionately blends ancient ingredients with modern creativity to create elevated Indigenous cuisine.” Four Directions Cuisine is a catering business, but more importantly, it also serves as a vehicle for Chef Andrea to share stories, build community, and educate the masses on food sovereignty and Indigenous issues. Whether you’re seeking a cooking class or food for your special event, Chef Murdoch will deliver healthy dishes that are delicious–and more. You can check out her sample menus here.
Near Cortez, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe owns and operates the 7,700 acre Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise, including Bow and Arrow Brand. The tribe raises cattle and alfalfa and produces non-GMO corn products. “We saw the opportunity to produce non-GMO corn as a specialty product to support the tribe,” said Simon Martinez, Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise operations manager.. “Our land covers over half a million acres. The goal of this company is to provide financially for tribe members.” Just like with any farm of this size, they package up what they harvest and share their products with the public, including Tocabe. Learn more about what they do here.
Standing in solidarity with Indigenous peoples can look like a lot of things. Supporting Indigenous work by amazing examples like Spirit of the Sun, Tocabe, and Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch Enterprise is just one small way to do that!
Take to heart the wise words of Robin Wall Kimmerer in her widely acclaimed book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants: “Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”