A Gathering Basket- Issue 9

A Gathering Basket FROM THE I-COLLECTIVE A MULTI-MEDIA COOK BOOK

A year afte r the murde r of George to come to Floyd, a gre gether to g enhouse in row food a nd flowers.

Minneapoli s is inviting Click for m ore... the commu nity

Planting ISSUE 9

Planting is a form of resistance.

Planting is a form of resistance.

Planting is a form of resistance.

From the herbs on your counter and tomatoes on your balcony, to a raised bed and fields we find ourselves cultivating not just food but an actual pathway into the teachings are not monolith in any form we can each learn more about Indig relationship throughout this issue. Pulling from the past and present and lookin Mohawk lunar planting, and as always offering up a taste of Indigenous Foodwa

One of the most important places to start this journey is by being in a place of k world to fit your wants with no regard for the rest of our relatives' needs. Destru of these happenings that have created catastrophic consequences for us and st example; for the arid regions, both desert and high desert where water is scarce where it is going, where it is standing, and where it disappears the fastest. In thi already and can then move forward with a planting that is both reflective of the That’s not to say that nature doesn’t disrupt this balance through means of flash and this is where the observations come into play. We are able to create check d stone basins throughout the 4 Corners region or the more modern systems com Along with this conversation you can also look into processes of mulching such we’re going to look to the words, teachings, images, and poetry of Reyna Bante Indigenous Ecological Knowledge of planting in the desert.

d in your yard next to that fruit tree you planted, and on to the gardens o our cosmologies and the remembrance of our ancestors. And while genous ways of being. With that in mind we will be looking at that ng toward the future we will be looking at a Zuni planting technique, ays.

knowing. In modern agriculture it is common practice to bend the uction of grasslands, watersheds, forests, and pollinators are just a few tand in direct contradiction to Indigenous ecological practices. As an e, we start by standing in the rain. We observe the water, watching is manner we are observing what balance this system has in place e system and one that upholds the balance of it. h floods and other forces, both natural and man-made, on occasion dams and water catchment systems such as the massive traditional ming into play using water cisterns and gutters to harvest rainfall. h as pine needles, straw, wood chips, and gravel but for this discussion eah (Zuni) of Tsuyya Farm as they share a glimpse into the realm of

Before we jump into the words of our next contributor, Rowen White (Akwasasne Mohawk) of Sierra Seeds, let's talk about soil for a moment.

Much like the terminology “planting water” used above harbors a unique idea, so does the concept of “growing soil”. But how does one grow soil and equally important, why? Soil health is one of the most important factors in producing food. For examples of poor soil health you can look both to the vast expanses of genetically engineered corn and soy crops, whose very being is only upheld by chemical inputs, across the “Corn Belt” of the U.S., to overgrazed landscapes from coast to coast, and on to communities where industrial waste from everything from mining to car manufacturing to aluminum production has brought violence against the land. An example of this is the farm at the Little Earth Urban Rez in Minneapolis where they had to remove feet of toxic topsoil to reach a depth where they could grow food and even with that have chosen to use raised beds and haul in soil for the safety of the community.

Now while this is an extreme case it is not uncommon across Indian Country so growing soil takes on a whole new form in those contexts. For the purpose of conciseness though let’s focus on some of the main ways we can change our soil health; biochar, compost, and companion planting.

Biochar - charcoal produced from plant matter and stored in the soil as a means of removing carbon from the atmosphere. This technique has been in use for thousands of years in the “americas” and is credited to the Indigenous Amazonian Tribes but can be seen in the cultural burning of the grasslands and forests here in the U.S. as well.

Compost - decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer. This is another practice that has Indigenous roots. Early colonizers wrote extensively about Eastern Tribes' uses of both

fish and plant matter in their agricultural practices and even has a place in some tribal languages. For instance the Narragansett word for this specific fish is “munnawhtteaugs” and means “that which nourishes the land” while the Abenaki called them “pauhagens” which translates to the same; fertilizer.

Companion Planting - the close planting of different plants that enhance each other's growth or protect each other from pests. The best known of this technique is of course another Indigenous one, that of the 3 Sisters but, the reality is that many tribes actually have a 4th Sister. Amongst the other Sisters are sunflower, amaranth, tobacco, and wild zinnias. From nitrogen fixing, to cross pollination barriers, and abilities as trap plants for pests, this is another way to build the ecology of your garden and heal that soil.

After looking at both water and soil we have just a couple more places to visit to get you ready for this growing season; When to plant and what to plant? To answer this first question we’ll hand the microphone over to Rowen White as she introduces us to what the moon and planting have to do with one another and then we will be back to discuss seeds, both the ones to sow and the ones for this issue's recipe!

Indigenous Lunar Planting; Following

By Rowen White, Akwesasne Mohawk I love the natural rhythms of working and planting by the lunar cycles; there is a natural inhale and exhale of our farm rhythms and cycles. We are thankful to Grandmother Moon for all the ways in which she moves and guides the cycles of fertility, of death and rebirth.

As a foundational teaching from many Indigenous relational agriculture including my own Mohawk traditions, we start our planting season with tuning into the lunar cycles, and begin to set an intention to rehydrate the original rhythms that guide our planting and seed stewardship. As we move into spring, and begin the planning and planting of our seed gardens, this knowledge of lunar planting is an integral part of our proverbial Seedkeeper basket. All season long, we will be filling this basket with tools, tips, traditional ecological knowledge and also vibrant memories of your own and shared experiences as we move through the season together.

Plants sown in the ideal lunar phase show increased vigor, which is something that our ancestors have always known. In nearly every intact indigenous traditional agricultural community, the moon guided planting hands. In my traditional community, the seeds are entrusted to the women, for it has been that way since the dawning of time. Indeed it was Original Woman who came to this earth clutching a handful of seeds, and proceeded to sing the World awake, sowing her seeds into the earth that was on the back of a Great Turtle. It is this same Original Woman who upon her parting from the Earth, returned to the sky in the form of Grandmother Moon, who continues to look over us, and guides the cycles of life, fertility, death, and rebirth. Her beautiful luminous changing face pulls at the salty oceans that cover a large percentage of our planet to create waves and tides. It is this same gravitational force that moves the smaller oceans that reside inside our own bodies and also the tiny pools of water that exist within everything that is alive; the tiny oceans that sit at the heart of the seeds, the earth, the sapling trees.

So naturally, our Grandmother Moon watches over the cycles of our Plant kin, as they move from tiny little seeds into sprouts and around the season into bud, blossom, fruit, and seed once again.

The creation story that began so long ago continues to unfurl and come alive in every moment, as our life sustainers emerge from our Mother Earth and remind us of our Original instructions.

Dancing in the direction that the sun goes, First Woman put into place the cycles of continuous creation, continuous birth. As human beings, we have been given the original instructions to follow, which maintain the cycles of continuous creation, of this continuous birth put forth by SkyWoman.

We invite you to explore all the aspects of lunar planting, and we will share with you some of our reflections on this approach as we move along into the planning and planting of our gardens.

Beginning in the spring months of March and April, we are continuously planting seeds of all manner of herbs, flowers, and vegetables until late summer. When we begin to overlay our understanding of the basics of lunar planting, we create for ourselves a wonderful framework and timeline for planting that encourages the best growth for our little seedlings. I learned the cycles of lunar planting from a few of my Mohawk elders, especially my dear seed uncle Silverbear ( Steve Mccomber) but have deepened my study through direct observation and also reading from different cultural and scientific perspectives.

So how exactly does lunar planting work?

The moon has four phases which last seven days each. The first two quarters are during the waxing or increasing light, between the new and the full moon. The third and fourth quarters are after the full moon when the light is waning, or decreasing

g the Dance of our Grandmother Moon

The Earth is held in a powerful gravitational field, influenced by the moon. The tides are highest during both the new and the full moon, as the sun and moon align with earth. Just as the moon pulls the tides in the oceans, it also pulls upon the subtle bodies of water that exist in all living things including our bodies, the soil, and the seeds. This gravitational pull from the Moon causes moisture to rise in the earth. These same forces affect the water content of the soil, which creates more moisture in the soil at the time of Full and New Moons. I love imagining this as the tide of the Earth. This increased moisture encourages the seeds to sprout and grow.

The highest amount of moisture is in the soil at the Full moon and we see that the seeds can absorb more moisture as the moon Waxes towards Full. Paying close attention to the cycles of the moon and the subtle manner in which it affects both people and plants can help to determine when to plant in order to improve our health and yield from our garden activities. Admittedly I have an Indigenous scientific brain, and I have purposely planted the same seeds under different moons and observed patterns that support my elders' teachings. Lunar planting really does work well on our farm, and we do the best we can in our busy farm rhythms to observe the cycles. This requires a bit more foresight and attention to detail, but the increase in vigor in our seedlings and food plants here is well worth it.

Note: In the image I created above, I have the moon cycles moving Counterclockwise, which is the way lunar cycles move. Note the waning cycles on the left and the waxing cycles on the right. Sometimes we are accustomed to following a circle clockwise, so readjust your eyes to move around the cycle counterclockwise.

Just after the New Moon, at the bottom of the above picture; the lunar gravity rises and causes the seeds to swell and burst. The increase in moonlight creates balanced root and leaf growth.

Between New Moon and the First Quarter is the best time to plant leafy vegetables which produce dry seeds in pods or outside of the fruit. Examples are all brassicas like kale, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops. Also lettuce, tobacco, spinach and many other leafy herbs.

From the First Quarter to Full Moon, the gravitational pull is decreasing but the moonlight grows stronger each night, creating strong leaf growth. The time just before the Full Moon is an especially great time to plant. This is generally when I plant my corn, just 3-4 days before Full Moon. The types of crops that prefer this window between First Quarter and Full Moon are annuals that produce above ground, but their seeds gestate inside the fruit, such as beans, corn, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.

After the Full Moon, the energy draws down as the moon wanes.

The gravitational pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is decreasing, putting energy into the roots. This is a favorable time for planting root crops, including beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, and peanuts. It is also good for perennials, biennials, bulbs and transplanting because of the active root growth. This is also a wonderful time for pruning.

In the fourth quarter towards the New Moon, there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is considered a resting period. This is a great time to cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune.

Now what about the seeds!!! As you can see from what we’ve touched on so far the depth of knowledge that is Indigenous agriculture is immeasurable so too is the relationship to our seeds. When you think of world cuisines you can’t do so without recognizing that our foods have come to define them. Tomatoes, chilli, chocolate, corn, and potatoes to name just a few. What does that mean for selecting seeds? EVERYTHING! When it comes to making your decision you can look into your community and potentially be taking the first step of maintaining traditions of seed keeping that go back millenia or you could be starting your own. If you are just beginning this journey start by learning what “zone” you’re in as this will define what you are able to grow and has the added benefit that most seeds you purchase will have the zone information on the label. As with everything, knowledge is key!

How much water and space will this plant take? How long is my growing season and how long does this plant take to produce? Can I start this plant inside and move it out later? What does “hardening off a plant” mean? And how much time do I have to commit to these relatives? Luckily we’re in an age where information is just a click away, as are Indigenous seed keepers and farmers, so remember we are all in this together and most of us are willing to offer up any help we can.

Lastly, let's get into this month's recipe which is provided to us by our very own Kristina Stanley and has without a doubt found its way into many kitchens over the years!!! With our minds on seeds already this is the perfect space to move into because this is one is just that: SEEDS! You can use wild ones, ones from your garden, or ones from the store but whatever you choose know that these will have you forgetting about any store bought crackers at first bite. Wether topped with smoked whitefish, pickled cholla buds, or dipped in your squash bisque you’ll definitely be in for a treat!!!

Seed Cracker (These seeds are just a suggestion!!! We’ve used everything from wild amaranth seed, acorn, mesquite flour, barrel cactus seed, and popped amaranth! As long as the ratio of chia remains the same you can bend this recipe to fit any circumstance as it is what holds it all together. You may also season the mixture. Some of our favorites are red and green chilli powder or sumac to give it some tang)

Preheat the oven to 300.

In a bowl combine all ingredients and stir to combine.

Let sit for 2-3 minutes.

On a baking sheet with a silpat (non-stick baking mat) or wax paper evenly spread out mixture. In a thin layer. (For this step make sure to have a small bowl of water to dip your hands in to avoid the mixture sticking to you). *We want to note here that you can also use a mold to form them into any shape* Place in your preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

(This will vary depending on thickness but watch for the corners to start peeling up as a good indication it’s ready to flip.)

Remove from the oven and flip cracker onto the other side and return to the oven for an additional 30 minutes.

Remove cracker and let sit until cool.

Break into pieces and enjoy.

½ C Sunflow ½ C Pumpkin S ½ C Pine Nuts

wer Seed (Toasted) Seed (Toasted & Coarsely Ground) s (Toasted & Coarsely Ground)

½ C Chia Seed 1-2 tsp Sea Salt 1 C Water Click picture for recipe video!

Gratitudes: ReynA Banteah - tsuyya farm Rowan White - sierra seeds Randolph Scott - sage brush to table

A GATHERING BASKET STAFF M. Karlos Baca, Written Content Curator Britt Reed, Image Curator Trennie Collins, Creative Director Quentin Glabus, Video Curator Kristina Stanley, Program Manager

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