Putting Tribal Sovereignty in Food Sovereignty
What happens when a scholar trades syllabi for soil? In this episode of Rooted Wisdom, we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Christie Poitra, a former academic who followed her heart (and her roots) into the world of specialty crop farming in the Great Lakes region.
As a first-generation descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Dr. Poitra brings a unique perspective to land stewardship, blending traditional ecological knowledge with hands-on experience. Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and deep respect for the land and all its inhabitants.
🌻 From Lecture Halls to Flower Beds
Dr. Poitra shares how her childhood memories of gardening with her grandmother and propagating plants with her mother laid the foundation for her love of the natural world. After years in academia, she found herself at a crossroads—and chose the road less traveled. With her business partner, she purchased land and began the adventure of building a farm from the ground up.
🐦 Lessons from the Land
From learning the schedules of finches and woodchucks to navigating the steep learning curve of commercial farming, Dr. Poitra’s early years on the farm were filled with unexpected joys and challenges. She recounts a memorable moment involving 5,000 pounds of concrete, a stubborn tree stump, and a trailer hitch, an unforgettable reminder that nature doesn’t always bend to human plans.
🌿 Stewardship as a Way of Life
For Dr. Poitra, farming isn’t just about yield, it’s about relationship. Her approach to land management is rooted in Indigenous values of respect, reciprocity, and observation. She emphasizes the importance of diverse plant communities, pollinator-friendly crops, and accepting that “everyone gets a cut” including the birds and insects who co-garden alongside her.
🌎 Farming as Education
Throughout the episode, Dr. Poitra reflects on how farming can serve as a form of cultural preservation. By inviting students and faculty to her farm, she bridges theory and practice, showing how stewardship is not just a concept but a lived experience.
🌱 Looking Ahead
With plans to expand greenhouse production and build retention ponds for sustainable irrigation, Dr. Poitra’s farm continues to grow, both literally and figuratively. Her hope? To leave the land healthier than she found it and inspire future generations to engage with the earth in meaningful ways.
🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear more about Dr. Poitra’s journey, her insights on Indigenous farming practices, and the wisdom she’s cultivating: one plant, one story, and one season at a time.