Ranco quoted in Yale Environment 360 article on revival of native foods, lands
Darren Ranco, an anthropology professor and director of Native American Research at the University of Maine, was quoted in a Yale Environment 360 article on a growing trend by Native Americans to bring back traditional food sources and improve damaged landscapes. “There has been a new movement by indigenous people to restore tribal lands and resources,” said Ranco, a member of the Penobscot Nation. “There’s also been a reimagined focus on food and food sovereignty.” The movement was aided by 1970s court decisions increasing tribal resource rights, a 1980s expansion of environmental quality legislation, and an infusion of money after Indian gaming was legalized in 1988, according to the article. Now, a new generation of Native American scientists, attorneys and politically savvy advocates are joining government and conservation coalitions and procuring grants, the article states. “That’s brought some really important solutions to the table that probably weren’t there before,” Ranco said. “The Western tradition was continually marginalizing indigenous knowledge and values, and no longer is that happening. At least it’s not happening as much.” The Christian Science Monitor also published the report.