MISSION

Formed in January 2004, the Natwani Coalition represents an affiliation of Hopi organizations and individuals dedicated to preserving Hopi farming traditions, strengthening the local Hopi food system and developing innovative sustainable strategies to promote wellness.

NATWANI

Natwani literally means “produce” or “vegetables,” but more significantly, it refers to the processes and rituals necessary for the rejuvenation of all life. It is the intact web of obligation and activity involved in the planting, harvesting, processing, hunting and gathering of food. It is physical and spiritual sustenance.

GOALS

Our goals are to support methods of agriculture, food distribution, and food consumption that are healthy for Hopi individuals and their communities that include:

• Encouraging and supporting traditional, innovative and sustainable farming practices through outreach and education.
• Encouraging the availability of locally grown foods and produce to Hopi & Tewa families
• Encouraging Hopi to consume locally grown foods and produce that promote health in themselves and their communities.
• Encouraging and supporting the protection and preservation of Hopi heirloom seed varieties.
• Encouraging opportunities to restore food self-sufficiency in our Hopi communities.

BELIEF

The overall health and well-being of our communities cannot be addressed without an improvement in diet and commensurate restoration of our local food system. In order to meet our objectives, the Natwani Coalition is working to leverage volunteers, collaborators and institutions on and off the Hopi reservation. Our strategy is to launch mutually reinforcing projects that, over time, will collectively strengthen and restore the local food system.

INITIATIVES

The Coalition has been instrumental in starting or contributing to a number of projects related to the restoration of the Hopi food system. By launching a broad-based campaign that approaches food system restoration from multiple angles, we've been able to reach a wide constituency. Examples of our initiatives include the following:

• Hopi Community Food Assessment
• Educational Outreach for Hopi-Tewa communities on Hopi Food and Farming
• Hopi Agricultural & Food Symposium (biennial event)
• Historical Hopi Agricultural Photo Exhibit
• Hopi Farm Talk (aired monthly on KUYI Hopi Radio, www.kuyi.net)
• Hopi Natwani for Youth Project - Farming Curriculum
• Community Advisory Board
• Hopi Heirloom Seed Restoration Initiative
• Food & Farming Community Mini-Grant Program

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To learn more about the Natwani Coalition visit our webpage at: http://www.hopifoundation.org/programs/natwani