Food: We have had moose burgers, moose chili, elk steak, “Indian corn” soup with goat and venison, fry bread or scones, black berry pie, sassafras tea – which thins the blood and if you drink too much really makes you cold. We also have had plenty of fresh veggies from gardens. Potatoes, yellow and green squash, carrots, onions, beets, tomatoes, lettuce, fresh strawberry puree, etc. From some of this that was gifted to us I made lasagna and tons of muffins, mostly zucchini because there were sooo many of them. A lot of times we eat Subway if we’re on the go. It’s cheap, fast, economical, and reasonably healthy.

One of the things we got to do during the summer was to visit at people’s gardens. Many people on the reservation plant corn, beans, and squash. These are called the three sisters and they are the Indians’ gift to the world. Though many people have gardens off the reservation there is a special way to plant these three gifts. Bean plants were placed next to corn so that they could use the tall corn stalks to creep up as beans do. Squash and pumpkin were also planted near the two other sisters because them being creepers on the ground with their large leaves they protect the roots and bottom parts of the stalks of the other two plants from insects. Not only that but the interaction between each one of the plants benefited the viability of the soil and enabled each plant’s yield to be more abundant and more nutritious than had they been planted alone!

For more information please read here:

http://www.unce.unr.edu/news/article.asp?ID=1291

In the meantime Joe is doing his interviews and finding out some great information. Everyone has been very receptive to his research and open their homes. Many times people share what they have in their cupboards, fridges, and gardens. Sometimes I get to sit in on Joe's meetings so I too am learning a lot of stories and histories about the land and about life in general. We are both very thankful for the opportunity to meet such amazing people and are so grateful to each person for sharing with us.

Nya:weh

Also to read more about the Tuscarora and who they are especially regarding their interaction with the environment and sustaining a distinct cultural identity please check out their newsletter.

http://tuscaroraenvironment.com/default.aspx