Stories from the Pocasset people and other local tribes: history, agriculture, land repatriation and more. Each episode is a conversation with Chiefs, growers, and elders about how New England’s Native nations have been treated, how that history shapes the work we do today, and how traditional ways are being carried forward. Some episodes look back at what was taken; others are practical, spent in the garden with the people teaching our community to grow food again.
Stories from the Pocasset people and other local tribes: history, agriculture, land repatriation and more. Each episode is a conversation with Chiefs, growers, and elders about how New England’s Native nations have been treated, how that history shapes the work we do today, and how traditional ways are being carried forward. Some episodes look back at what was taken; others are practical, spent in the garden with the people teaching our community to grow food again.
Jonathan is joined by Chief Sequan Pijaki (Chief George Spring Buffalo), Chairman of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation, Founder of Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust (PPLT) and co-founder of Indigenous People’s Network (IPN). Chief George explains some of the history of Native Americans in New England and how their subsequent treatment by the government has made organizations like PPLT and IPN and their programs necessary. He co-created the Indigenous Roots Forever program not just to promote food sovereignty but to reunite indigenous peoples with each other and with traditional ways, like thinking of food as medicine.
Rocky Johnson is a big advocate of raised bed gardening because you can dictate what goes into the soil. As he explains to Jonathan, starting from scratch allows you to build a foundation, a superior natural growing environment. And building a raised bed doesn’t have to be a massive construction project. Work with the materials you have handy: wood, stone pavers, rocks, a fallen tree branch. Rocky even explains how you could get started with a piece of cardboard. Indigenous Roots Forever also accepts material donations (as well as financial) to help Rocky continue his mission.
Through Indigenous Roots Forever classes, Rocky Johnson teaches the public how to farm naturally using the resources and materials already available to them. Jonathan and Rocky talk about how anyone can farm, no matter how big or small your space is.
Jonathan and Rocky discuss a technique for planting called The Three Sisters, which uses 3 companion crops like corn, beans, and squash to help sustain each other.
Jonathan Nadeau interviews Musquant Nompashim Netas, aka Rocky Johnson, Chief of the Ninigret Nehantick Nahaganset Clan. Rocky leads our Indigenous Roots Forever program. In this podcast, Rocky explains what it was like growing up as a Native American in Rhode Island and how his family impacted his interest in indigenous agriculture.
