The Native American Relationship to Food | Stephanie Snow | TEDxGrinnellCollege

Many native tribes of North America share a core belief that everything is related - everything in and on Earth, including food. Food sovereignty is practiced to continue cultural food ways. Anthropologist and Native American Stephanie Snow transports the audience to a seed-planting practice, passed down through Meskwaki families, which spiritually connects one who sows seeds to the food that will grow.
Ms. Stephanie BadSoldier Snow was raised on the Meskwaki Settlement with traditional Meskwaki beliefs and language and is a member of the Swan Clan. She is an enrolled member of the Ho Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Along with her Meskwaki and HoChunk heritage, Stephanie is also Lakota and Umohon.
As an independent scholar and public speaker, Stephanie presents at schools, colleges and universities, for corporate organizations and at diversity conferences. As a performer in a local Native American song, storytelling and dance troupe she’s also had the opportunity to work with acclaimed Native American artists, performers and actors.
At present, Stephanie is the Education Coordinator for the Meskwaki Nation. She has held positions as the Office Manager for the Meskwaki Settlement School District and as part of the administrative team as Community Learning Center Grant Program Manager. Previously she was employed as Assistant Director of Intercultural Affairs at Grinnell College, an institution known for its dedication to Social Justice around the world. Grinnell is also where she earned a degree in Anthropology with an independent focus in Native American Studies.
Research in healing Individual Trauma and Historical Trauma through “indigenizing” the diet and physical activity, as well as reconnecting through ceremony, is among the many interests she pursues. As assistant to the director of Meskwaki Historical Preservation and Museum, Stephanie was directly involved in the inception of the Meskwaki Food Sovereignty Initiative in 2012, and worked closely with the program for years, including representing the Meskwaki Nation at the National Conference for Women in Sustainable Agriculture in 2013. Since 2008, Stephanie has been involved in the Meskwaki Anthropological Symposium as a committee member and speaker/presenter/facilitator. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx