@motherofgodzzz144: Yes, colonial powers and the U.S. and Canadian governments used food as a weapon to force Native Americans onto reservations and crush resistance. This was a deliberate policy that involved destroying Indigenous food systems and creating a cycle of dependency on inadequate government food rations. Destruction of bison and other food sources A critical part of the strategy was the mass extermination of bison on the Great Plains in the 19th century. Policy of starvation: Military officials openly promoted the slaughter of bison to starve Indigenous peoples, recognizing that "every buffalo dead is an Indian gone". Loss of a sacred resource: For Plains nations, the bison was a sacred animal and a fundamental source of food, shelter, and clothing. Its eradication caused widespread suffering and devastated their way of life. Forced settlement: With their main food source gone, formerly nomadic Indigenous peoples were forced to move to reserves and become dependent on the government for survival. Scorched-earth tactics Beyond destroying bison, colonizers and militaries deliberately targeted Indigenous crops and villages. Targeting of agriculture: In the 18th century, George Washington ordered the destruction of Wea tribal farms along the Ohio River Valley, including cornfields, orchards, and vegetable gardens. Navajo Long Walk: In 1864, the U.S. military conducted a scorched-earth campaign against the Navajo (Diné), burning crops, killing livestock, and chopping down thousands of peach trees. This forced the Navajo on a brutal removal known as the Long Walk. Imposing dependency with rations After forcing Indigenous peoples onto reservations, governments maintained control by replacing traditional diets with inadequate food rations. Unhealthy rations: Government-issued food, such as flour, lard, and sugar, was foreign to traditional Indigenous diets. This led to malnutrition and poor health, which worsened chronic conditions like diabetes. Engineered famine: In Canada, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald was accused of deliberately withholding food until Indigenous peoples were "on the verge of starvation" to force them onto reserves. Starvation winter: For example, the near-extinction of bison led to a terrible famine on the Blackfeet reservation in the winter of 1883-1884. Although leaders used their own money to buy food, the U.S. government delayed its arrival, and hundreds died. Long-term health and cultural consequences The weaponization of food had lasting effects that continue to impact Indigenous communities today. Disruption of foodways: The destruction of traditional food systems, including knowledge of wild plants and sustainable practices, has had a permanent effect on Indigenous health and culture. Ongoing food insecurity: Many Indigenous communities continue to face high rates of food insecurity and live in "food deserts," lacking access to affordable, nutritious food. The dark history of forced starvation as a weapon of war against Indigenous ... Aug 12, 2025 — As a descendant of ancestors who endured forced starvation by the U.S. government, I also know of its enduring consequences. * Dismantling Indigenou...

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Thursday 23 October 2025 13:46:58 GMT