KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Brunei’s Sultan

Robin John roasts cobs of corn as other members of Ohe·laku, a non-profit that works with the families planting crops, shuck cobs of corn before they are roasted, cut and bagged on the Oneida Nation Reservation, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Oneida, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)Robin John roasts cobs of corn as other members of Ohe·laku, a non-profit that works with the families planting crops, shuck cobs of corn before they are roasted, cut and bagged on the Oneida Nation Reservation, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Oneida, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

Lea Zeise, one of Ohe·laku’s co-coordinators of the non-profit that works with the families planting crops, bags roasted white corn during a harvest on the Oneida Nation Reservation on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Oneida, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)Lea Zeise, one of Ohe·laku’s co-coordinators of the non-profit that works with the families planting crops, bags roasted white corn during a harvest on the Oneida Nation Reservation on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Oneida, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)All the Oneida growers stressed the importance of leaning on traditional farming knowledge, of further importance because many tribal members have been cut off from their own culture. It’s a way of returning to their roots after families lost land to colonizers, children were forced to attend boarding schools and land was leased or sold to non-Indigenous farmers. But reviving past knowledge is made harder by the new seasonal unpredictability.

“Even if we did know everything our ancestors learned, we’re having to do it in an erratic and changing climate,” Webster said.University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D. candidate Daniel Hayden thinks more research will be needed to understand the science behind sustainable Indigenous farming techniques that go back generations. He’s been working with Ohe·láku for several years now trialing sustainable methods like interseeding cover crops, which involves planting other crops in the same field to improve soil health, balance moisture levels and prevent erosion. It’s a work in progress, and this year it wasn’t enough to keep the majority of the corn from getting washed out, though his research plot of white corn did make it.

He acknowledged that while Oneida growers are willing to focus on stewarding land and improving soil health — not necessarily maximizing yields — commercial farmers have different priorities. He hopes his research will amplify the conversation about including Indigenous practices in mainstream agriculture, something he doesn’t think has gotten enough attention yet.

As Webster put it, “The Indigenous practices are no longer plan B, it has to be the plan. Because we are very mindful of all of the things around us.”Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, who plays Lilo’s older sister and caregiver Nani, praised her young co-star.

“It was amazing building a world with her,” Agudong, 24, said. “It’s a lot of CGI and we’re working with aliens and such and she was full of imagination and creativity.”Sydney Agudong, as Nani, in a scene from “Lilo & Stitch.” (Disney via AP)

Sydney Agudong, as Nani, in a scene from “Lilo & Stitch.” (Disney via AP)Hailing from Kaua’i, Agudong also came to the role from an open casting call. Being part of the film has been a special experience as a lifelong fan of the animated version and a proud Hawaii resident.