Community Food Systems Mentor Profile: Rowen White
The Community Food Systems Mentorship Program offers Network members the opportunity to work directly with a food systems expert to support their growth, learn best practices, and connect with seasoned food movement leaders.
Rowen White; Sierra Seeds and Indigenous Seedkeepers Network
Sierraseeds.org
About Rowen :
Rowen White is a Seed Keeper/farmer and author from the Mohawk community of Akwesasne and a passionate activist for Indigenous seed and food sovereignty. She is the Director of Sierra Seeds, an innovative Indigenous seed bank and land-based educational organization located in North San Juan, CA. Rowen is the founder of the Indigenous Seedkeepers Network, which is committed to restoring the Indigenous Seed Commons, and currently serves as a Cooperative Seed Hub Coordinator. She facilitates creative hands-on workshops and strategic conversations in community around seed/food security around the country within tribal and small farming communities, and also works 1:1 with organizations and individuals to align values and vision towards radical transformation of our food landscapes. She believes that by cultivating creative supportive learning spaces, reclaiming narratives, and practicing radical imagination, we can work together to seed the change for a more equitable and beautiful relational, kincentric food system that centers a deep sense of belonging, connection and cultural memory. She weaves stories of seeds, food, culture, and sacred Earth stewardship on her blog, Seed Songs, and other distinguished publications. Follow her journeys at www.sierraseeds.org
Areas of Expertise
Seeking to Mentor
I am dedicated to supporting and mentoring a diversity of both emerging and established food systems leaders, who seek to integrate a culture of care and belonging into their work with the community and the land. As an Indigenous woman working in intercultural Food/Seed Sovereignty movement for 20+ years, I create safe and brave mentorship spaces to grapple with the challenges and issues that BIPOC food system leaders encounter in seeking to cultivate an equitable and relational food system that reflects our values and bring several mentorship approaches to help harness our radical imagination in bringing forward unique solutions. I have a particular interest in working with mentees who are integrating a cultural component into their work, projects, and organizations.
Responses