Viviana Okakpu
Advocates for Urbann Agriculture Co-Operations Steward
Viviana is a mixed Chicanx urban farmer, herbalist, animal keeper, and mycoremediator in occupied Kiikaapoi, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Kaskaskia, Myammia, and Council of Three Fires (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potowatomi) territories. For 5 generations their family has lived in the unique biome now known as the Southside of Chicago. As an immunocompromised person with a food-related chronic illness who grew up in an area experiencing environmental injustice and food apartheid, for them this work in our food system is motivated by survival. They have had the privilege to learn from movement ancestors and elders on issues of im/migration rights, Indigenous land and water defense, abolition, labor rights, housing and health equity. They’ve co-founded a cooperative community garden, a land and food stewardship initiative and an indoor mushroom growing business. They’re inspired to co-create spaces of mutual support for Earthworkers and fellow transformers of our communities. They ground their work in reverence to the land, water, air towards honoring and regaining food and medicine sovereignty.