In this edition: SEEDS Philly, September 16. New Episodes of From Here, With a View. The Ashawaug Project Updates and Events. Photos from Seeds' Spring Social.

This year is Season 2 of our podcast From Here, With a View, which centers Indigenous perspectives on life, art, and everything in-between.

June and July episodes feature a 2-part interview with elder Paulla Dove Jennings (Narragansett/Niantic), who shares all about her life: a sweet love story, fun family gatherings, life before electricity, and the origin story of Dovecrest, a legendary Indigenous restaurant and trading post.

August’s episode features Sister musicians Dorothy & Natasha Cuylear, who share about the importance of becoming mothers, connecting to their Jicarilla Apache culture, and finding their collective voice as artists.

You can listen or watch From Here, With a View on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and TuneIn. And, our podcast is also syndicated on PhillyCam (Sundays at 1:30p) and Mashpee TV (Mondays at 8p and Fridays at 12p).

Thanks to a 2-year Community Self-Determination grant from NDNCollective, We Are the Seeds is building The Ashawaug Project in partnership with Dawn and Cassius Spears, owners of Ashawaug Farm in Ashaway, Rhode Island. The Project incorporates art and media to expand knowledge of traditional foods and foodways related to Narragansett seasonal practices.

Since we kicked off the project in February, a lot has happened! We’ve launched The Ashawaug Project website and Instagram, raised the pavilion structure for workshops and events, and have filmed some gorgeous moments on the farm. Dawn and Cassius have also built a traditional home (wetu), planted a Three Sisters garden, and nurtured delectable, heritage and heirloom produce for local markets.

Before the farm winds down for the season, there will be several delightful workshops available to the public.

The first event is a bring-your-own-supplies art-making session, lovingly called “gARTen”, happening on Thursday, September 14, 4:30-6:30p. Then, a tour Ashawaug Farm on Saturday, September 16, 2pm. See all events here.

Please send your RSVP to [email protected] with the event name and date in the subject line. Suggestion donations of $20 go to @ashawaugfarm on Venmo (or you may give cash at the event).

Led by the Silvercloud Singers and hosted at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, we had a beautiful day enjoying each other’s company and celebrating Indigenous community through song, dance, conversation, and, of course, snacks! We also had a few artists selling their beadwork, painting, and creative swag. Special guest Moses BuffaloBoy gifted us with his live painting through the day.

We hope you’ll join us for the next one!

Photographer: Jajhira Photography

The Philadelphia Orchestra's Our City, Your Orchestra (OCYO) is a digital series that uncovers and amplifies the voices, stories, and causes championed by unique Philadelphia organizations and businesses. Musicians of the Orchestra embrace the opportunity to step off the stage and into the community to introduce viewers to positive work happening in the region.

OCYO partnered with artists in the Seeds community - Priscilla Bell, Tchin, Vaughnda Hilton, and Zachariah Julian - for a stunning collaboration.

Watch the Seeds' episode of Our City, Your Orchestra here.

There are many ways you can help sustain our work of celebrating, amplifying, and educating about contemporary Indigenous arts, artists, and cultures.

Please support We Are the Seeds through a tax-deductible donation, getting some swag, and joining us at our events!