Belize Projects Tour April 22 - May 5, 2019
TNAFA's Pueblo to Pueblo Initiative
Inviting Indigenous people to learn and share,
restoring the ancient connections with our relative to the South.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
Inviting Indigenous people to learn and share,
restoring the ancient connections with our relative to the South.
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
Pueblo to Pueblo Initiative Belize
History of invitation and introduction to the people of Belize. (1994)
I was invited to a conference hosted by a number of non-profit, Indigenous organization from Canada, other Indigenous organizations from Central America and partially funded by the Cando Canada, Assembly of First Nations and the World Bank. This (4) day conference , central theme was to develop partnerships , friendships and support between indigenous peoples from Central and North America.
This invitation came spring 1994 , I had been part of the “steering committee” forming a new organization, Traditional Native American Farmers Association (TNAFA) organized in 1992. At the conference we found commonalities, both in challenges and proposed solutions to improve our communities on many levels. With the newly formed TNAFA I was hopeful we might be able to revitalize our community's economies, health and cultures through sustainable agriculture.
History of invitation and introduction to the people of Belize. (1994)
I was invited to a conference hosted by a number of non-profit, Indigenous organization from Canada, other Indigenous organizations from Central America and partially funded by the Cando Canada, Assembly of First Nations and the World Bank. This (4) day conference , central theme was to develop partnerships , friendships and support between indigenous peoples from Central and North America.
This invitation came spring 1994 , I had been part of the “steering committee” forming a new organization, Traditional Native American Farmers Association (TNAFA) organized in 1992. At the conference we found commonalities, both in challenges and proposed solutions to improve our communities on many levels. With the newly formed TNAFA I was hopeful we might be able to revitalize our community's economies, health and cultures through sustainable agriculture.
Upon returning back to New Mexico and developing educational programs for our Native communities and TNAFA membership , I was focused on how these programs might benefit the projects in Belize. TNAFA started a new training hands-on 12 day course July 1996 , Traditional Agriculture / Permaculture Design Course (later renamed Indigenous Sustainable Communities Design Course) We invited one student from Belize to attend, we found funding to host this student. Upon completion of the course we asked if he thought this course was useful to him and if others would benefit from this course. A resounding yes. This begun a long friendship ,partnership between the Indigenous peoples and communities here in the US and Indigenous peoples , communities of Belize.
This relationship that started in 1994 has continued and grown for the past 21 years. Since the first meeting and sharing TNAFA has provided training ,workshops in Belize servicing a number of communities and organizations, we've also continued to support and bring Belizean students for workshops here in New Mexico , Arizona and California.
TNAFA is wanting to build upon this foundation and continue finding ways to share and exchange knowledge ideas and solutions. TNAFA feels by establishing our association more formally as a non-profit in Belize will benefit the indigenous communities in Belize and here in the US. We have seen many similarities in challenges and strengths from these exchanges, our communities are generally very rural, limited access to local jobs. TNAFA sees restorative , sustainable agriculture as a viable solution to building a solid rural economy strengthen indigenous cultures, and providing better personal health.
This relationship that started in 1994 has continued and grown for the past 21 years. Since the first meeting and sharing TNAFA has provided training ,workshops in Belize servicing a number of communities and organizations, we've also continued to support and bring Belizean students for workshops here in New Mexico , Arizona and California.
TNAFA is wanting to build upon this foundation and continue finding ways to share and exchange knowledge ideas and solutions. TNAFA feels by establishing our association more formally as a non-profit in Belize will benefit the indigenous communities in Belize and here in the US. We have seen many similarities in challenges and strengths from these exchanges, our communities are generally very rural, limited access to local jobs. TNAFA sees restorative , sustainable agriculture as a viable solution to building a solid rural economy strengthen indigenous cultures, and providing better personal health.
TNAFA's approach to restorative agriculture includes standards in “organic” agriculture , “value added” when appropriate, incorporating “alternative energy”, “permaculture” approach, and integrating Indigenous knowledge and ethics.
TNAFA proposing to register as a Non-profit in Belize, we will continue building the partnerships we started with since 1994. TNAFA will seek other partners , with community organizations, educational institutions and church organizations.
TNAFA proposing to register as a Non-profit in Belize, we will continue building the partnerships we started with since 1994. TNAFA will seek other partners , with community organizations, educational institutions and church organizations.
TNAFA has developed educational programs for our communities here in New Mexico and Arizona ,many of the communities here are located long distances from towns , some have no electricity and some have no surface nor well water. Even with these challenges agriculture has been the seen as a viable way to provide good healthy foods and build a local agricultural economy. The workshops demonstrate the use of local resources , building soils, water management , and traditional agricultural knowledge. We design training for most situations , small scale, medium size , and larger operations. We also have seen the need for “urban garden design”. Much of “urban garden design” can also be employed in rural areas.
Restorative, sustainable agriculture is the foundation for success , provides healthy food for family, value added products and market. TNAFA workshop also address other issues for sustainability , alternative energy, alternative home building, health diet nutrition, and culinary arts.
This is a short list of what we would like to start with.
Restorative, sustainable agriculture is the foundation for success , provides healthy food for family, value added products and market. TNAFA workshop also address other issues for sustainability , alternative energy, alternative home building, health diet nutrition, and culinary arts.
- TNAFA will develop short term training workshops in “Sustainable Agriculture” (short term 5-10 day long) insitu ,using local farm and community locations starting first year.
- TNAFA will develop workshops in growing for seed, seed saving, and seed conservation.
- TNAFA will develop workshops in organic production, organic certification, and the benefits of organic methodology .
- TNAFA will develop workshops in creating marketing strategies such as value added, CSA, farmers markets, restaurant sales, packaging and direct sales.
- TNAFA will develop workshops in healthy diet nutrition , diabetes prevention,
- TNAFA will also seek a location for demonstration of Sustainable Agriculture practices, this will be a long term commitment .
- TNAFA will begin student exchange project, limited number of Belize students will participate in workshops here in New Mexico with follow-up support in home community.
- TNAFA will also bring indigenous instructors and students to Belize for instruction and volunteer work to schools, churches, and co-ops.
This is a short list of what we would like to start with.