I am from Sunflowers
I am from sunflowers,
sturdy and tall, facing the light.
I am from maple trees, colour-filled in 2 weeks.
From pear trees and raspberries.
From warm summer nights and frigid winter days.
I am from the coupons carefully clipped and the meals with rushed minds.
I am from pickles,
from the grand river to the lakes,
from tulips,
from the thunderstorms and wind.
I am from manicured sweet cornfields,
for as far as the eye can see, just past those busy streets.
I am from the earth. And the earth is a part of me.
Hello! My name is Sierra (They/Them). I am a 5th-year student in Global Resource Systems, focusing on Food security and Food system sustainability within the Americas! I am super excited for this class and to learn about food systems and foodways in Mesoamerica. I love the intersection of people, food, culture and community and the relationships people have with their food and why. I began my degree in Nutrition; however, I quickly realized food means so much more than nutrients and calories. I really love diving deep into what is beyond that and the systems in place around the world that encourage or discourage equitable access to food for all people at all times (food security), and how we can make these systems more just. I am really looking forward to learning about the different Indigenous cosmologies around Mesoamerica and their relationships with food(Maize and Milpa).
Outside the classroom, I love to cook, host dinner parties and appreciate different forms of art (live music, dance, poetry, comedy). I have been trying to keep up with learning Spanish, and I would love to travel all over Latin America someday soon. I have also been heavily involved with Agora Cafe at UBC, UBC Farm, xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden, the VOC (Varsity Outdoors Club), Surf Club, and more(feel free to ask me questions if you are interested)! I like to stay active, especially with friends, and play volleyball, basketball, do yoga, hike, and have recently been learning how to dance (Rueda and HipHop). I am someone who is always down for a bit or a fun adventure. 🙂
I really look forward to all the discussions we are going to have in this class together and all the insightful perspectives each one of you brings to the table.