FIRST I would like to take this opportunity to address the history of “homesteading” as it was practiced in the American West in the 19th and 20th centuries. President Lincoln’s Homesteading Act of 1862 was a federally sponsored program encouraging mostly white US citizens to lay claim to up to 160 acres of any “surveyed” Government land.
While it may be easy to gloss over this bit of history, the Homesteading Act effectively gave white settlers land that belonged to native peoples. I would be remiss in glorifying the spirit of Homesteading without acknowledging the harm done in the name of territorial expansion & European settler colonialism.
The Holistic Homestead first and foremost, humbly acknowledges the original inhabitants of the land on which we are growing our nonprofit: the Ute, Shoshone, Cheyenne, and Arapaho peoples.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A MAP OF HISTORICAL NATIVE TERRITORIES
GET WOKE – CLICK HERE FOR THE NATIVES OUTDOORS WINTER READING LIST
REPRESENTATION MATTERS – FOLLOW THE NATIVE APPROPRIATIONS BLOG
What is the “Spirit of Homesteading?”
Back in 2017 I wrote this article for a friend who publishes homesteading how-to’s and know-how on her blog, 104 Homestead.
Modern day homesteaders are not out to claim territory, and we are not necessarily all anti-government, anti-social back woods survivalists. One thing we do have in common is a passion for self-sufficiency – and that is something that we can all aspire to. In fact, here at the Holistic Homestead we believe that is something we all need to be working towards RIGHT NOW.
and now…..(drum roll, please)…..
Announcing the 2021 Homesteader of the Year!
The Homesteader of the Year award is given to an outstanding member of our community who demonstrates self-sufficiency, initiative, sustainability, compassion, and chutzpah! This year’s award goes to Kate Miller, founding CEO of Alpine Botanicals and one individual determined to live the most sustainable lifestyle possible.
For the years she lived in Colorado, Kate exemplified the Spirit of Homesteading building her apothecary, sourcing her ingredients from her own permaculture gardens and building an off grid home! She is now fulfilling her dream to live and work on her own farm in Idaho with her family. She is the model for 21st century Homesteading, and embodies the qualities of compassion, self-sufficiency, sustainability, initiative and chutzpah!
Here’s Kate’s reply to the award:
“Thank you for the incredibly kind words and I am so honored to have received this award. You guys are the real rockstars and I have so much love and admiration for you and your commitment to the HH mission. The real honor is having the privilege to support your work all these years and SEE the incredible work you’re doing in the mountain community. It is radiating love outwards in such an important way.
– Kate Miller, Homesteader of the Year 2021
I can’t wait to hang that plaque here!”
Congratulations, Kate! With this award we hope to cultivate a wider community of self-sufficient, compassionate, 21st century Homesteaders who are building a more sustainable, holistic future for our families, our communities, and the planet.
