About

Tsyunhehkwa (“life sustenance” in Oneida, pronounced Joon-heh-kwa) is a culturally based community agriculture program run by the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, whose goal is to provide the community with traditional food staples like white corn, as well as to encourage indigenous gardening among community members. The program focuses on transferable knowledge to the Oneida community regarding the importance in food sovereignty and encourages and provides technical assistance in members growing their own foods.

The Harvest

Tsyunhehkwa Agricultural is an Indigenous farm that is responsible with production of white corn, grass fed beef, raw produce, and other medicines like tobacco and Bergamot, while simultaneously tasked with empowering its citizens in producing themselves. This program has played a critical role in meeting the food security needs of Oneida, especially during the pandemic, with donating beef to their Emergency Food Pantry and hosting food security drive thru produce give always. Tsyunhehkwa plays a vital role in the food system of the Oneida Nation in advocating for food sovereignty programing being an integral part of a comprehensive approach to health and wellness for indigenous communities.