Southern California Intertribal Trade Network

This network is solving accessibility barriers to culturally relevant and locally grown foods by sourcing seasonal sustenance harvested off the land or grown within Tribal Farms and/or community. Collectively we are actively strengthen ancestral trade routes and adapting them to contemporary needs within our communities. This network promotes traditional ecological knowledge, self determination, self sovereignty, and investing in community with professional development resources. This collective network prioritizes any scheduled community ceremony (funerals, celebrations, etc.), community events, traditional gatherings/powwows, and other events known to provide food for community. By providing access to locally sourced sustenance, we will providing what would have been imported into community. This network is open to all Southern California Tribal Nations. Southern California is known for the most Tribal Nations in the State and Country. Just within my homeland there are twelve federally recognized Kumeyaay Bands within San Diego County. During our first meeting we welcomed eighteen Tribal Nations and I anticipate only more who want to participate. 

My solution provides not only accessibility but also community for So Cal Tribal Farmers, Harvesters, Hunters, Fishers, Canners, and Cooks alike. By meeting quarterly we stay in discussion of best practices for growing/harvesting, update each other with announcements, inquire needs of growers, and visit a hosting Tribal Farm/garden which uplifts their space. By knowing growers needs, I am able to identify  resources for trainings, funding opportunities, and other professional development resources. By investing into our communities we close the gaps in many ways. 

This network is open to all Southern California Tribal Nations. Southern California is known for the most Tribal Nations in the State and Country. Tribal Nations include but limited to Kumeyaay, KwaTsaan, Cahuilla, Serrano, Kupa, Luiseno, and Tongva. Historically our Tribal groups have traded within our territories and have kept good relationships between each other. Southern California Tribal Nations have experienced three waves of genocide and daily navigate the repercussions of inter generational trauma inflicted by settler colonial violence. This solution is made up of frontline workers who know community needs. 

Southern California Tribal Nations are prioritized within this collective. So Cal Farmers/gardeners, Hunters, Fishers, Harvesters, Canners, and Cooks alike. We meet quarterly to continue dialogue of needs and opportunities pertaining to the work we all do on the land. 

We are actively implementing this solution and any support would only amplify the work we are doing to develop this network. By implementing community assessments, we can identify community specific needs and how we can better serve the people. Community assessments can look like surveys, conservations, and learning opportunities. 

This would be considered a prototype because we are actively meetings and building upon what was an idea of mine. 

The opportunity to further build my professional development really took my interested so I am hoping to learn as much as I can when awarded. Any monetary support would support the facilitation of our meetings, trainings, markets, and other needs. 

Currently the Team Lead is organizing and facilitating network meetings by hosting as well as feeding participants.