#FSPfocus: Decolonizing the Table

#fspfocus Grace’s Three Sisters Succotash on a bed of Quinoa

If you haven’t listened to episode 7 of the podcast, please do! We had the honor of learning about Decolonization with AnaYelsi Velasco Sanchez. In light of that discussion we’re offering a few ways to decolonize your table for Thanksgiving, and we encourage you to take this into the Christmas season as well. We invite you to post pictures of your dish using #fspfocus.

The best way to decolonize your table is to get to know the land you live on and honor it by sharing true history and positive representation of native peoples. When it comes to the table, use the three sisters. The three sisters are the three main agricultural crops of various indigenous groups of North America: winter squash, maize (corn), and climbing beans (typically tepary or common brown beans). According to Navajo food writer and podcaster Andi Murphy they are planted in the symbolic triad. Beans are planted at the base of corn stalks that then offer climbing bean vines support as they reach for the sun. The beans in turn pump nitrogen back into the soil fertilizing the corn and squash, while the sprawling vines and leaves of the squash protect the beans from predators. The three sisters also offer spiritual connection and appear in the mythology across tribes from southwest to midwest and into the northeast. We’ll link the full article from Andi Murphy on all of our social media platforms.

Don’t forget to post your dish using #fspfocus. We can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up and how your meal has shifted this year!