Key Takeaways:
- Historic Milestone: Five varieties of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) heirloom seeds traveled to the International Space Station (ISS), marking the first time Native American heirloom seeds have flown to space.
- Scientific Exploration: The seeds spent six months aboard the ISS and will be studied alongside Earth-bound seeds to examine potential effects of space exposure.
- Student Engagement: Jones Academy students will plant and observe the seeds, incorporating their findings into a STEM curriculum for the NASA Native Earth | Native Sky program.
- Cultural Significance: The project highlights the resilience and legacy of Native cultures while encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers.
- Impactful Collaboration: The initiative connects Indigenous heritage with space exploration, showcasing the importance of science in preserving and advancing Native traditions.
In a historic step for Indigenous representation in science, five varieties of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) heirloom seeds were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in November 2023. The seeds, including Isito (Choctaw Sweet Potato Squash), Tobi (Smith Peas), Tanchi Tohbi (Flour Corn), Tvnishi (Lambsquarter), and Chukfi Peas, spent six months aboard the station before returning to Earth in April 2024.
This unique project, called Choctaw Heirloom Seeds, aims to blend Indigenous heritage with cutting-edge science. Students at Jones Academy, a CNO boarding school, will plant the space-flown seeds alongside Earth-bound controls in their Growing Hope Garden. By making predictions and documenting the seeds’ growth, students will explore the potential effects of space exposure on the seeds’ development.
A New Chapter in STEM Education
The project is part of the NASA Science Activation program Native Earth | Native Sky (NENS) at Oklahoma State University. It integrates the seeds’ journey into a middle school STEM curriculum, offering Native youth hands-on experience with scientific research while celebrating their cultural heritage.
“This investigation elevates Native culture and voices in a society where Native populations are underrepresented in STEM fields,” the project overview notes. “The seeds’ journey represents a transformation—from a history of forced displacement to one of hope and learning.”
Cultural and Scientific Impact
The seeds symbolize the resilience of Indigenous culture, serving as a direct contrast to their ancestors’ journey along the Trail of Tears nearly 200 years ago. Where that journey was marked by suffering, this journey to space embodies progress, hope, and the spirit of exploration.
“This project holds enormous cultural significance,” the report explains. “The seeds represent centuries of Indigenous knowledge and the sustainment of life, showing how tradition and innovation can work together.”
Empowering the Next Generation
Through this initiative, Jones Academy students will develop hypotheses, monitor plant growth, and compare results between space-flown and Earth-bound seeds. These findings will inform future agricultural research and inspire Native students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Discover more about the mission here.