History: The connection between Yaupon and the indigenous of the western hemisphere was ancient. Yaupon has been found in burial mounds that the age is carbon dated at over 4000 years. Indigenous people were trading over vast distances. Boats filled with Yaupon came up the Missouri River. So called “North Americas” only caffeine source. Various indigenous folks called it ‘The Beloved Tree’. It was also brewed into a stronger form for ceremonies that some called “black drink”. This in some cases was a drink to give super energy before combat. How much history is missing? How many Yaupon songs will we never hear? This plant was also smoked by medicine people.
Oppositional Propaganda: This plants name was tarnished by colonists. Literally. As indigenous people we understand that as they tried to exterminate us as a people they tried to exterminate entire plant species along with us that we have developed relationship. This plant was so powerful that it came to rival the East Indian Tea Company. Eventually a colonizer botanist named it Ilex Vomitoria. It became associated with poverty and indigenous folks. Much of it is removed because colonists had a campaign of killing our plants out of fear, hate, and control. We understand that Yaupon is a holy plant and an attack on Yaupon is an attack on Indigenous spirituality.
Necessary Powershift: Yaupon is making a comeback but not amongst the indigenous. Its making a comeback with the plant thieves, the ethnobotanist types. It’s making a comeback with the capitalists who need new markets to exploit. I seen a group of colonizers who got it to grow in a regenerative agricultural-forest. This is what we should be doing. I.S.R seeks to put the Indigenous back into permaculture and reestablish ourselves as the #RightfulStewards. #PlantBack A shift towards indigenous collective economics. Restore the indigenous as healers instead of new age gurus playing with our sacred plants.
Supply Chain/Climate: Yaupon is an answer to a fragile supply chain that can and does break down. It will mean less coffee needs to be shipped. Many coffee companies are involved with corruption because they have been taken away from the indigenous and manipulated by capitalism. Many modern coffees have fillers and added chemicals for tste ect. Endless boats, planes, vehicles are involde in this shipping process creating millions of tons of atmospheric carbon. Yaupon is the northern relative of Yerba and can be grown further north.
Obstacles: I.S.R is the only revolutionary expression of #LandBack. The Pan Indigenous Government is obviously the most innovative, inclusive and intelligent. Foremost obstacles are apathy from all peoples, indigenous peoples attacking their best and most benevolent leadership, reluctance to join, surface level analysis by the masses. Liberalism by all races is a factor. Liberalism is dying but not fast enough. It became clear to the world after George Floyd that the liberal is irrelevant and only serve as a lingering obstacle to liberation and climate rejuvenation.
Soil: Yaupon soil. “U.S zones 7 thru 9
“Yaupon is a crucial building block to the restoration of Turtle Island”.
Written By: War Chief Mko Vieux
Illahee Spirit Runners 