Indigenous Veganism: A Radical Consciousness
As an Indigenous queer vegan on a decolonial journey, I am constantly learning, growing and evolving. I believe that is the purpose of life. If we don't allow ourselves to learn, grow and evolve, then we are static, we are not truly ALIVE.
Konutan’de, that is the word in my Indigenous language for someone
who leads a plant-based life.
I am a Taino-Borikua artist and educator focused on promoting and celebrating Indigenous Caribbean roots. Embracing our Taino plant-based food ways is one of the ways that I celebrate my culture. This Oct 9th I want you to remember that it was in the Taino Caribbean that colonization began, where Columbus landed. And it was Taino people who discovered Columbus lost at sea. 530 years later, we continue to resist and persist. Our traditional food is one of the ways we carry on our culture.
For me, the journey to undo society’s meat and dairy indoctrination
began at an early age.
I was 11 years old when I realized I could say no to eating animal meat. It never felt right. As an adult, I realized that consuming dairy was hurting me, as well as how cruel and exploitative the dairy industry is, as well as the pollution and damage it causes to our planet. I also began to understand how animal agriculture is linked to Indigenous land theft and deforestation. Now, as a vegan in my mid-thirties, speaking out about the damage that the meat, dairy, fur and leather industries cause to the planet, animals and our health is an intricate part of my activism as an Indigenous person committed to healing our relationship with our home planet and our animal kin. This mission also involves recognizing that everything is connected. If the planet and the animals are sick and suffering, so are we.
On the other hand, if we are moved to act with mindfulness, then we can
propel positive change.
”Our relationship with nature is broken. But relationships can change. When we protect nature - we are nature protecting itself.” -Greta Thunberg, Swedish Vegan Climate Justice Activist
If we heal and nurture our relationship with the Earth and animals, we heal and nurture ourselves. If we heal and care for ourselves, we heal and nurture our relationship with the Earth and animals. In a world that is rapidly changing and hurting, we cannot afford to ignore the destruction and oppression that these industries cause. They are an extension of colonialism. A symptom of capitalism. There are several ways to combat this problem. Our plant-based Indigenous food traditions are one of those ways, offering the world a solution. And it offers Indigenous people like me the opportunity to connect with our culture while fighting for our planet.
“I’m very passionate about the idea that reconnecting to our food is a really important step towards healing our relationship with our planet and breaking free from a corrupt, broken food system that targets marginalized communities and profits off of our suffering.” - Xiuhtezcatl
Martinez, Vegan Indigenous Hip-hop Artist & Climate Change Activist
The colonial agenda to disrupt our Indigenous civilizations and cut our ties to our lands, medicines, spirituality, language, and culture – included colonizing our food ways. Embracing Indigenous plant-based food ways is more radical than you might think. For us Tainos, there is a spiritual connection to yuca. Yuca is a root vegetable that my ancestors grew in the Caribbean and used in many different ways. Till this day, we still grow yuca and it plays an important role in our
Caribbean diet. It is a symbol of our livelihood and sustenance. Not to mention, it
is so delicious!
As Indigenous people, we know firsthand of the numerous attempts to sever our ties to the collective consciousness. That which teaches us our interconnectedness and our responsibility as human beings to be caretakers of the earth. When we refuse to allow our Indigenous wisdom to be taken from us or erased, we empower ourselves and our communities. We are creating a consciousness of the intersection of our oppressions. A radical consciousness that understands that the path to liberation includes doing right by the land, the animals and each other. This is what Black feminist activist and author, Angela Davis, calls "the revolutionary perspective." To understand that all pain and oppression are connected. And she explains, "most people don't think about the tremendous suffering these animals endure simply to become food products consumed by humans."
Fighting climate change isn’t just about what we put on our plates,
however.
“When we think about the villains of the climate crisis, of course we think about the fossil fuel companies” -Greta Thunberg
We must continue to confront the fossil fuel industry and the massive destructive path it creates. We must do what we can, from where we are, to demand the downfall of these irresponsible companies that have caused so much devastation around the world. Keeping in mind that some of the most vulnerable populations affected have been Indigenous communities. Indigenous communities who have long been fighting against the corporations responsible for our climate crisis. We must demand that these giants take responsibility and counteract the damage with sustainable practices.
I feel relief every time I hear about a new activist, organizer or organization that is carrying out environmental activism or community food justice activities. There are more of us every day. That's why I'm happy to be part of Veggie Mijas, a collective dedicated to promoting plant-based lifestyles and food justice in marginalized communities. If you haven't already, I encourage you to get to know our work.
May we all find ways to align our food ways to our moral values. May we all
continue to learn, grow, and evolve in positive ways. It is what the world needs.
