Hi, I'm Matika. I belong to the Swinemish and Tlailit people. I'm a photographer and the creator of Project 5.6.2.

And I'm Adrian. I'm a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, a scholar and the writer behind the blog Native Appropriations.

This is all my relations. We have a beautiful episode for y'all because this is a topic that is so true to our bellies and something we can all relate to.

We all got to eat. But how are we eating or better? What are we eating? And how has colonization disrupted our relationship with our traditional foods?

That's why today's discussion on food sovereignty is so important because we all know that colonialism destroyed our food systems.

Sometimes on purpose and sometimes as a byproduct of other colonial policies.

But separating Native peoples from the way that we traditionally ate and harvested was a very effective tool of colonization.

Fortunately, we are living in a time of reconnection and revitalization. And there are many peoples throughout Turtle Island who are doing this good food sovereignty work.

Listen in as we talk with Valerie Segrist on the definition of food sovereignty. Learn how breastfeeding supports the foods of movement.

And how all of us, even if it's just in tiny ways, can become food sovereignty activists.

Valerie is a native nutrition educator who specializes in local and traditional foods.

As a member of the Muckleshoot Indian tribe, she serves her community as coordinator of the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project.

And also works as traditional foods and medicines program manager.

In 2010, Valerie co-authored feeding the people, feeding the spirit, revitalizing Northwest Coastal Indian food culture.

Valerie received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Buster University and a Master's in Environment and Community from Antioch University.

She is also a fellow for the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy.

Valerie aims to inspire and enlighten others about the importance of a nutrient-dense diet through a culturally appropriate common sense approach to eating.

All my relations.

The concept that we're going with here for this entire show is understanding our relationships to one another, our relationships to land,

and our understanding of our identities being primarily based in our relationships.

We're wondering if you could just introduce yourself in your traditional way, maybe with like your family or your clan,

and specifically talk about your purpose as it relates to the concept of all my relations.

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