Together We are Reinforcing the Global Food System

Shekoli Swakwek,

In my tours of food pantries all over the state of Wisconsin I could clearly see that cultural intention is something not looked at or provided. It’s more getting whatever we can to feed people that are in need or hungry. As the manager of the Oneida Emergency Food Pantry for the last six years, our intention has always been to get as many traditional foods in the food package as we can. That is a lot easier said than done. There are so many factors that go into making that possible, including: creating relationships, availability of food, procuring, storing, cost, etc. Sometimes we have buffalo meat, or create corn soup packages with white corn, wild rice, maple syrup, or provide premade meals from the Oneida Cannery that we add to the food packages we for the families we serve. I looked at it as a way to “Oneida it up” or indigenize the packages we offer.

In March of 2020, I was approached about the Elder Food Box Program to distribute 400 boxes to the Oneida Community. I was given this task because our team had distributed farmers to families food boxes and was well versed in the effort and coordination it takes to distribute boxes safely and efficiently. After my first meeting I was all in because of how much cultural intention and thought was going into the boxes. It was so different from other boxes that focused on keeping costs low and lacked input from the people served. The intention to buy indigenous products from indigenous producers and pass out to Tribal Elders was one of the most wonderful ideas I have ever heard! We are now providing our elders with foods that connect to them spiritually, mentally, and right down to their DNA. It helps them to know that they are important and being thought of. The Elder Food Box has had a tremendous impact on our people in many ways and changing the narrative on how we view food.

As we look to reconnect to who we are as indigenous people the Tribal Elder Food Box is making waves around the state and doing its part in the food arena. It is such a special program that it can be hard to put into words on how beneficial this program is to our people. Much appreciation and gratitude to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and all the people behind the scenes that make this program go.

Yaw^ko,

Marlon Skenandore, Oneida Emergency Food Pantry Manager