Autumn Table

Saturday, November 4, from 3 to 6 PM, Forge Project will host an Autumn Table revolving around Indigenous foods and the opportunities for connection through community-stewarded knowledge that they offer.

Throughout the afternoon, there will be cooking demonstrations from traditional pottery practitioner Angela Ferguson and reflections shared by Angel Jimerson, highlighting the confluences of cultural continuum, food sovereignty, place-based knowledges, and the lessons nurtured through intentional engagement with each. Guests are invited to share a meal revolving around local, seasonal foods and herbal teas prepared and served at our Community Learning Kitchen.

This event is open to all ages and families are encouraged to attend.

Please wear shoes and clothing you feel comfortable walking and spending an afternoon outdoors in!

bios:

Angela Ferguson (Onondaga, Eel Clan) resides just off the Onondaga Nation lands in Central New York. Although much of her time is spent growing and preserving the traditional foods of the Indigenous people – the art of “traditional cooking” using the techniques and tools from her ancestors is a skill she has learned and shares with other Haudenosaunee communities.

Angela is one of the original founders of Braiding the Sacred an organization that coordinates gatherings in many different Indigenous communities to create relationships and knowledge sharing among traditional Indigenous corn growers throughout Turtle Island. These 3-day events include the consumption of traditional food for the entirety of the gatherings, talking circles focused on corn and the relationships each community has with corn, and either planting or harvesting a corn field in the host community based on time of year. Rematriation of seeds back to their original tribes/nations/homelands is a huge part of Braiding the Sacred's mission. Angela is leading the way in stewarding a seed collection in Onondaga of over 4,000 Indigenous varieties of corn, beans, and other heirloom foods that were previously held by the late Carl Barnes, Cherokee.

Angel Jimerson (Seneca/Heron Clan) was the first Seneca child to grow up at Ganondagan (a thriving Seneca Village) in more than 300 years. Throughout their childhood, Angel was immersed in cultural teachings, traditions and values, living with both his uncle, Peter Jemison (Seneca/Heron Clan), Ganondagan State Historic Site Manager, Artist and Historian, and aunt Jeanette Miller Jemison (Mohawk/Snipe Clan), Friends of Ganondagan Program Director. Throughout their youth and continuing today, Angel actively participates in ongoing Haudenosaunee cultural programming and events.

Angel has been involved with Ganondagan's White Corn Project since it was brought to Ganondagan in 2012. They began working in Ganondagan's White Corn Project Youth Program, later leading the youth group.

Angel worked directly with Seneca Nation assisting in their development of Gakwi:y:oh Farms a program within the Nation that addresses food insecurity and food sovereignty through community engagement.

Currently, Angel fills the role of Ganondagan's White Corn Project, Production Manager. Their passion for minimalism, sustainability, and food sovereignty are a direct reflection of his Haudenosaunee values, culture and traditions.