We should have an inalienable right to live off the land that rightfully belonged to us.
Noah Proctor
Noah Proctor, 21, a Piscataway Conoy student studying Criminal Justice at Towson University, has always known the importance of having a space where tribal members can gather to share knowledge and traditional practices. A tribe finally recognized by the state of Maryland in 2012, the Piscataway Conoy people have been fighting for their rights to their land and natural resources since they were stolen at first contact.
Noah is passionate about giving back to his community and, through the Piscataway Community Garden, he will address hunger and lack of access to healthy foods within his tribal community and he will reconnect youth with traditional Piscataway foods and growing practices.
In the fight for land rights, environmental justice, and visibility, Noah demonstrates the importance of the Piscataway people
gathering to understand their history, share traditional knowledge, promote their food sovereignty, and revitalize cultural practices so youth can proudly stand in their Piscataway identity.
“Educating other young people about gardening, agriculture, and ecology is part of how we’ll overcome poverty because they’ll grow up understanding how we need to take care of our land so it does not deplete and continues giving us life.”
