Oneida Nation's White Corn Crop Devastated by Extreme Weather

In the spring of 2024, the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin faced a devastating blow to their traditional white corn crop. Unprecedented rainfall caused severe flooding, destroying most of the planted fields and leaving the community grappling with the consequences of climate change.

Lea Zeise, a coordinator at Ohe·láku, a non-profit supporting Oneida families in crop cultivation, described the surviving corn as "anemic, really skinny and really frail." The impact of this agricultural disaster extends beyond mere crop loss, affecting cultural practices and food sovereignty for the Oneida people.

White corn holds a sacred place in Oneida culture, being integral to their creation story and considered a relative to be cared for. The crop's failure has led to the cancellation of the annual harvest moon event, a significant time for ceremonies and community gatherings. Additionally, the traditional food boxes distributed to tribal elders will lack white corn next year.

The challenges faced by the Oneida Nation reflect a broader issue affecting Indigenous communities worldwide. Climate change disproportionately impacts these groups, threatening not only their food sources but also their cultural practices and traditional knowledge.

"We tried our best. The reason why we didn't get that much corn is because it kept getting too hot days, and then it kept getting too rainy days, and it kept going back and forth like that."

Becky Webster, who grows white corn with Ohe·láku and leads another Oneida farmstead, Ukwakhwa, highlighted the unpredictability of recent weather patterns. She noted the stark contrast between the extreme drought of the previous year and the excessive rainfall of 2024, making it increasingly difficult to anticipate effective planting methods.

Indigenous growers are turning to traditional farming knowledge and sustainable practices to adapt to these challenges. The Three Sisters planting method, which involves growing corn, beans, and squash together, has shown some resilience against flooding. However, even these time-tested techniques are being strained by the rapidly changing climate.

Researchers like Daniel Hayden from the University of Wisconsin-Madison are collaborating with Oneida growers to study and implement sustainable farming practices. These include interseeding cover crops to improve soil health and prevent erosion. While such methods show promise, they were not enough to prevent the significant losses experienced this year.

The situation faced by the Oneida Nation underscores the urgent need for broader recognition and integration of Indigenous agricultural practices in mainstream farming. As Webster aptly stated, "The Indigenous practices are no longer plan B, it has to be the plan. Because we are very mindful of all of the things around us."

As climate change continues to pose unprecedented challenges, the resilience and adaptability of Indigenous communities like the Oneida Nation will be crucial in preserving both their cultural heritage and sustainable agricultural practices for future generations.