Seeds are not just the source of life for plants; they are also the carriers of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. A way to connect to our ancestors - both plants and people. For Indigenous communities around the world, seeds represent a fundamental connection to the land, a way of life, and a means of sustaining our communities for generations. 

E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea. 
For I am not lost, I am a seed broadcast from the sacred homelands of Rangiātea. 

Papawhakaritorito Trust is embarking on a new three-year, Indigenous-led, kaupapa Māori research project called, “Seeding Hope: He kakano ahau”. This project looks to understand further the vital role Indigenous women play around the world as caretakers of seeds. 

In Indigenous cosmo-genealogical terms, food helps communicate intergenerational knowledge, and is part of the whakapapa relationships between people and all aspects of the natural world (including lands, waters, animals, insects, stars and soil microbes). That is a significant shift from understanding food as simply a resource to be enjoyed through consumption or bought and sold as a commodity. “Seeding Hope” examines the Indigenous economies of abundance and persistence that currently exist within the market-led global food order and offers an informational turn in understanding food, nature and community from the diverse standpoints of Indigenous women.

Indigenous seed sovereignty movements 

Indigenous seed sovereignty is a movement that seeks to reclaim and protect the rights of indigenous peoples to their traditional seed varieties. It is rooted in the principles of self-determination, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. The goal is to ensure that Indigenous communities have control over their seed systems and can freely save, exchange, and use their traditional seeds without interference or restrictions.

However, in recent decades, the global agricultural system has been dominated by large corporations and industrial farming practices, leading to the loss of traditional seed varieties and a decline in biodiversity. This has had a detrimental impact on Indigenous communities who rely on traditional seeds for their food security, cultural practices, and spiritual ceremonies.

Loss and contamination of Indigenous seeds

One of the key issues faced by Indigenous communities is the loss of traditional seed knowledge. Indigenous seeds are adapted to specific local conditions and have been carefully selected and cultivated over generations to thrive in their respective ecosystems. This knowledge is passed down through oral traditions and is deeply intertwined with cultural practices and ceremonies. However, the introduction of hybrid and genetically modified seeds has led to the erosion of this traditional knowledge and the loss of valuable indigenous seed varieties that are so critical to the restoration of Indigenous foodways across the planet. 

Indigenous seed sovereignty also addresses the threat of genetic contamination. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can cross-pollinate with traditional seeds, leading to the loss of genetic purity and the potential loss of indigenous seed varieties. This not only impacts the cultural identity of Indigenous communities, but also threatens our food security and sovereignty.

How do we protect our Indigenous seeds?

To protect Indigenous seed sovereignty, there are several key strategies that can be employed. First and foremost, it is important to support Indigenous communities in their efforts to reclaim and maintain control over their seed systems. This includes providing legal frameworks that recognise and protect indigenous rights to their traditional seeds, as well as promoting community-led seed banks and seed exchanges.

Additionally, promoting agroecological practices and sustainable farming methods, such as Hua Parakore (Māori organics), can help support Indigenous seed systems. By utilising traditional knowledge and practices, Indigenous communities can cultivate and preserve their traditional seed varieties, while also promoting biodiversity and ecological resilience.

The image above shows kūmara varieties Indigenous to Aotearoa that were shared during the seed exchange as part of the He Whenua Rongo - an Indigenous Seed, Soil and Food Sovereignty Symposium held in Tāmaki Makaurau in April 2024.

Education and awareness are also essential in the fight for Indigenous seed sovereignty. It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of traditional seeds and the threats they face from industrial agriculture and GMOs. By highlighting the cultural, environmental, and nutritional value of Indigenous seeds, we can build support for the protection and promotion of Indigenous seed systems.

In summary, Indigenous seed sovereignty is a critical movement for protecting biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the rights of Indigenous communities. By reclaiming control over our seed systems and preserving traditional knowledge, Indigenous peoples can ensure their food security, cultural practices, and spiritual connection to the land. It is our collective responsibility to support and advocate for Indigenous seed sovereignty to create a more just and sustainable agricultural system for all. Seed sovereignty is at the heart of food sovereignty. 

"Seeding Hope: He kakano ahau"  is a three-year, Indigenous-led, kaupapa Māori research project, funded from the Te Apārangi Marsden Standard Grant.