Our county, Tompkins County of New York State, has declared today officially Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Our orchards (in Schuyler and in Tompkins County) are both on what are the traditional Cayuga Nation lands of the Haudenosaunee.
It is our hope that someday we can be a part of land reparations. In a small (too small we will admit) step towards that we at Redbyrd Orchard Cider have made a commitment beginning August 20th of 2019 to give a portion of every non-alcohol sale to organizations that work towards preserving culture and traditional land use ways for the Haudenosaunee (and for farmers of color). We mailed out our first checks today.
We refer often the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign from 2013 and would like to share part of it here:
How can you honor the Two Row Wampum?
(Some ideas for neighbors, friends and allies of Indigenous peoples):
Care for the Earth
Give thanks frequently
Respect and promote Indigenous sovereignty
Learn about treaties between the US and Indigenous nations
Remember that treaties are the Supreme Law of the Land (Article 6 of the US Constitution)
Demand that the US government honor their treaty commitments with native nations
Consider the consequences of your actions for future generations
Resist and question stereotypes about Indigenous peoples
Reject the Doctrine of Discovery
Grow & eat local foods and use native plants in your gardens
Get to know and make friends with your Indigenous neighbors
Slow down and notice where you are, listen more than you talk
Don’t pollute, don’t waste, be environmentally responsible
Work to end global warming
Campaign against hydrofracking
Buy only what you need
Read native authors
Read and promote the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Learn about the people indigenous to wherever you are and their stories
Celebrate and respect cultural differences
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day
Support native craftspeople, businesses and events
Consider what it means to be an ally to Indigenous peoples
Categories: nys hard cider
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