Inside The Husk
Indigenous Social Innovation for Seed and Ecosystem Stewardship
Honoring Seeds, Culture, and Ecosystem Wellbeing
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At Inside The Husk, we recognize the intricate relationship between communities, seeds and the biology of the landscapes that shape us. Through the conservation of plant species and the integration of traditional ecological knowledge, we honor the practices sustained before us, supporting the resilience of our llaktas, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Much like a living study, Inside The Husk is a dynamic practice—a space for research, a place for community, and an evolving idea where cultural conservation meets scientific innovation.
Honoring Seeds, Culture, and Ecosystem Wellbeing
Co-founders Mimi Lucero (Kichwa) & Chuli Mesh (Maya)
WHO WE ARE
At Inside The Husk, we recognize the profound connection between seed pathways and human well-being. Through the restoration of heirloom seed varieties and a deeper understanding of wild plant species. especially within their ecological and cultural contexts, we work to preserve foundational landscapes and lifeways across generations.
By focusing on broader taxonomic groups, we contribute to both species-level and cultural resilience. Our work is guided by respect for Indigenous cultural protocols, cultural humility, and a commitment to long-term, community-led restoration.
As seed keepers, our role extends into broader conservation networks. This work has catalyzed social shifts,nurturing reciprocal relationships, reclaiming seed traditions, and fostering collective well-being. We support communities in sustaining their vegetative heritage, ensuring that the plants, languages, and ecosystems that sustain us continue to thrive.
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Mimi Lucero (Kichwa) & Chuli Mesh (Yucatec Maya) are Indigenous researchers and co-founders of Inside The Husk, an Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to preserving seeds as vital cultural and ecological relatives.
Their work centers on the revitalization of ancestral foodways and the health of Indigenous territories, bridging traditional knowledge with innovative research practices. Based in North and Central America, they collaborate with communities across diverse landscapes, deepening understandings of the interdependence between cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
OUR VISION
Inside The Husk envisions a future where Indigenous Nations lead in the protection, rematriation, and care of their ancestral seeds, plants, and foodways. Our work supports communities, institutions, and organizations seeking to reconnect cultural knowledge with ecological stewardship through place-based, decolonial approaches.
By centering Indigenous leadership, we help build respectful partnerships across research, conservation, and food systems, rooted in relational accountability, long-term collaboration, and seed sovereignty.