Summer Teachings

Throughout my time working with White Owl this summer I’ve learned so much. I learned more about Indigenous cultures as well as gardening skills and how to identify plants and their names much better. Even though we were technically working at times I felt that I wasn’t, because I was enjoying myself and strengthening my connection with the Land and the plants; getting to know them more and more with each weed picked. We also took many trips to different gardens to help, and it always felt like a very safe and awesome community. I’m so glad that I got to work with everyone at White Owl and Wisahkotewinowak this summer and I’m very grateful for all the new knowledge I’ve gained with this job.

Summer in Southern Ontario

It's fascinating how summertime in Ontario buzzes and breathes. The grasshoppers and cicadas have this constant song they sing through night and day. Not only do the bugs sing, but the animals do too. In the day there's birdsong and the occasional chirp of a chipmunk. At night, the sound of turtles and the croak of the frog. Nature is always saying something- whether rain or shine, summer or winter, the Land has a song she sings and it changes throughout the seasons.

First Week at Steckle

It’s been a week since we started at Steckle Farm in the Three Sisters Garden. It seems like yesterday when we were listening to Elder Banakonda's teachings on day one. My gardening gloves are already a little worn and I’m pretty tanned. The first day we started our gardening, it was scorching hot. I drank all of my water in no time. I would have shrivelled up and withered if it hadn’t been for the fresh cold water at Steckle. I’ve learned and experienced a lot within the week that I’ve been working at the Three Sisters Garden. The dirt is soft like sand and it’s not only easy to work with, but it’s probably ideal soil for the crops. Rain would come and go occasionally but it was always strangely invigorating. I’ve also come across a variety of wildlife, some of which I found interesting and others not so much. I’ve noticed ladybugs, butterflies, birds, snails, crickets, grasshoppers and a variety of other insects. I came to know our corn thief pal in particular. It was nice to enjoy the smell of fresh peppermint as I weeded things like Purslane and Lamb’s quarters out of the potatoes. We found out that our garden was growing natural wild Apple Mint and Spearmint. Out of everything I’ve learned over the past week, one thing really stands out among the rest: grass is the worst weed.

Monday Flower Field

~Elder speaks in ripples,

Green grass rustles and tickles,

Out in a flower field,

Distant waves I can hear,

Words sink in,

Thoughts have been,

Sailing me to flower fields.

Gifts from the Gardens: Introduction

Aniin, Boozhoo, Shé:kon, Tansi, Hello!

The Wisahkotewinowak Collective welcomes you to this new online place where members will share knowledge and reflections inspired by the gardens. Stay tuned for featured posts by our summer students about their experiences with and lessons from the Land, as well as thoughts and teachings year-round from others in our community.

With gratitude for the Land and All Our Relations,

Wisahkotewinowak