User:Melodylo/sandbox

April 8, 2019
There was no information on the effect of the presence of the newly added Integrated Fixed Towers (IFTs) that were implemented along the border. These machineries have presented recent problems for the Tohono O'odham nation, in regards to security, privacy, and spiritual expression. In my edit in this article, I introduce the audience to the functions and specifics of these towers and discuss how these machines have impacted Indigenous communities.

CHANGES IMPLEMENTED:

Integrated Fixed Towers (IFTs) are solar-powered structures that integrates high technology, such as infrared and video machinery, to provide long-range, 360-degree, all weather surveillance along the border The proposed layout and size of the IFTs is said to range between 120 to 180 feet high, with each tower having its own equipment such as generators, propane tanks, and equipment shelters. The lot size of each tower varies between 2,500 square feet and 25,600 square feet, plus a fence that encompasses up to 10,000 feet. The radio technology of the tower permits the machine to be able to detect movement as far as from a 9.3-mile radius and vehicles from an 18.6 mile radius, while the long-range camera allows for video footage from 13.5 miles away.

During March 2014, in efforts to raise border security, the United States Customs and Border Protection contracted a project with Elbit Systems of America to design and manufacture Integrated Fixed Towers (IFTs) along the Arizona border. This contract gave Elbit jurisdiction to implement these structures to an unknown amount of sites at anonymous locations and the power for both the company and Border Patrol to deeply monitor the border. Originally, it was stated that there were would be sixteen IFTs placed along the southern border of Mexico and western border of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. In an article published on March 2018, it revealed that there are 52 IFTs set in place along Arizona's southern border.

With the implementation of these towers, it will aid Border Patrol in monitoring illegal crossings and any suspicious activity that occurs near the border. Although the towers would benefit Border Patrol in controlling illegal activities, for the Tohono O'odham nation, the integration of these structures will result in further territorial disputes and invasion of privacy. The rapidly increasing surveillance and security that is being brought to the borderlands has instilled fear within Indigenous communities. The emanating existence of IFTs have begun to interfere with the spiritual rituals and daily routines of the Tohono O'odham nations. Tribes, such as the Tohono O'odham, no longer have the freedom to cross the border to visit their families or explore outside of their homes without risk of being scrutinized by agents. Despite set boundaries and size guidelines for the towers, the current IFTs have exceeded the established range and are beginning to occupy parts of O'odham territory. Moreover, the growing amount of towers along the border has brought increased amounts of Border Patrol Agents: 1,500 positioned in three districts that control the reservation.

April 9, 2019
I elaborated more on the issue of the widespread influence of type 2 diabetes in Indigenous communities, especially the Tohono O'odhams. I discussed the rise of the origins of the problem in detail and discussed efforts the community has taken to combat the issue. There was mention of the TOCA, and I plan to create a section dedicated to this organization and how this group has been working towards re-incorporating lost cultural aspects of the Tohono O'odham tribe. I want to delve more into the possible barriers the border or wall has presented to the tribe in getting access to health care.

CHANGES IMPLEMENTED:

Beginning in the 1960s, government intervention in the tribe's agricultural cultivation caused the Tohono O'odham tribe members to shift from a traditional plant-based diet to one that favored foods high in fat and calories. The government began to close off the tribe's water source, preventing the Indigenous group from being able to produce traditional crops. This resulted in the widespread trend of type 2 diabetes among members of the tribe. The adaptation of a processed food diet caused the presence of type 2 diabetes to rise at alarming rates, with nearly half of the adult population in the tribe facing this disease. In fact, the amount of Tohono O'odham people with this disease has been recorded as exceeding the national average by seven times.

Many of the original crops that the Indigenous group produced, such as tepary beans, squash, and the buds of cholla cactus, were items that could have aided in combating the diabetes crisis within the community. These foods possessed nutrients that would have helped monitor blood sugar and minimize the impact of diabetes. However, as a result of government intervention, many of these traditional foods were lost. A local nonprofit, Tohono Oʼodham Community Action (TOCA), has built a set of food systems programs that contribute to public health, cultural revitalization, and economic development. It has started a cafe that serves traditional foods.

The Tohono O'odham community has made efforts to combat future issues by attempting to rehabilitate the systems the tribe had in place before government intervention. The Indigenous group has been advocating for the restoration of their water privileges so that they will be able to effectively produce traditional crops for the tribe. Moreover, even in tribal schools the quality of lunch programs are being reassessed in order to bring a larger emphasis of the need for healthier food options.

April 16, 2019
ADD to IFTs section:

Before the implementation of IFTs, the government had been using SBInets. These machines were intended to serve the same purpose as the towers, while also allowing Border Patrol agents to observe information from a common operational picture. However, the technology and functionality of SBInets did not meet expectations and costs of the SBInets began to exceed the budget by $1.4 billion. This eventually led to a shift towards IFTs.

The competition for a $145 million contract lasted between major defense contractors such as General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. (need to edit to make it flow with paragraph mentioning Elbit Systems)

ADD to HEALTH section:

The Tohono O'odham Nation is one of the only Indigenous groups to offer tribal members access to medical treatment in the United States. Requirements for this enrollment include being a Mexican citizen and a member of the Tohono O'odham tribe. As advocacy for the border wall continues to grow, inspections and securities along these boundaries have heightened, limiting tribal members' access to resources beyond the border. With these growing barriers to medical treatment, it makes it more difficult for the Tohono O'odham nation to combat the fight against diabetes because of their limited access to proper resources.

Before the change towards a new diet, the issue of diabetes was unheard of within the tribe. Now, diabetes impacts 60 percent of the population in this Indigenous tribe.

ADD to AGRICULTURE section:

Ak cin, known as "mouth of the wash," refers to the farming method in which farmers would monitor the weather for signs of storm cloud formations. The appearance of storm clouds signified that there was going to be a downpour of rain. Farmers would anticipate these moments and quickly prep their plantations for seeding as the rain began to flood their lands. This type of agriculture was most commonly used during summer monsoons.

Traditional tribal foods were a combination of goods provided by nature and items they self-cultivated. From nature, the Tohono O'odham would consume rabbit, sap and flour from mesquite trees (flour was made by crushing the pods of the trees), cholla cactus, and acorns. On the agricultural side of their diet, farmers focused on corn, squash, and tepary beans.

April 22, 2019
New edit to the Health section:

60 percent of adults are recorded to have this diabetes, while 75 percent of children are expected to contract this disease in their lifetime. Children are also at risk for childhood obesity.

Working with local Baboquivari Unified School District to alter school lunch menus.

New edit to the Agriculture section:

The deterioration of original irrigation systems occurred as a result of a shift from hand-dug irrigation systems to industrial ones.

Add new section:

Tohono O'odham Community Action (TOCA)

In 1996, the Tohono O'odham Community Action (TOCA) was founded by current CEO and President Terrol Dew Johnson and co-founder Tristan Reader on the basis of wanting to restore and re-integrate lost tribal traditions into the community. Located in Sells, Arizona, they originally started as a community garden and offered basketweaving classes. Now, the organization has expanded to having its own two farms, restaurant, and art gallery.

Another influence to the creation of this organization originates from the fact that the Indigenous tribe was on the brink of collapse as a result of growing dependency on welfare and food stamps. The Tohono O'odham people were facing the lowest per capita income of any Indigenous reservation, with 65 percent of members living below the poverty line and 70 percent facing unemployment. Crime amongst the younger generation rapidly increased as a result of gang activity and the high school drop out rate was over 50 percent. Homicide was prevalent within the community, with the rate being three times the national average.

In 2009, TOCA opened its restaurant, Desert Rain Café. The purpose of the cafe's launch was to bring traditional tribal foods to the community in order to help combat the growing presence of Type 2 diabetes. Thus, the restaurant practices the integration of traditional foods with each menu item containing at least one traditional ingredient, such as mesquite meal, prickly pear, or agave syrup. For crops such as tepary beans or squash, the café utilizes their farms to produce these goods, providing customers with fresh meals. Some of their dishes include a Mesquite Oatmeal Cookie, Short Rib Stew, Brown Tepary bean Quesadilla, or pico de gallo. It has been estimated that the restaurant serves over 100,000 meals yearly.

Basket weaving was a dominant cultural characteristic, being used in rain ceremonies that lasted for four days and nights. These baskets were also purposed for daily use to hold or prepare foods. At the start of the institution, Johnson would hold weekly classes on Wednesday for artisans throughout the reservation. Making a basket could take as long as one year. This prolonged process stems from the fact that the fibers used in these baskets must be harvested and prepared, plus creating a design that represents the history of the Tohono O'odham nation. Materials for baskets vary between grasses native to the area, such as Yucca grass and devil's claw plant, an awl, and knife.