April 8th Monthly Newsletter
|
|
Gigii-noondawaag na ongow omakakiig?
(Did you hear those frogs?)
When you hear the frogs singing, it is time to stop telling the legends and to close up the maple sugaring camp. The sap will soon start to turn sour. The frogs will carry away the stories and we will forget them. It is now April, which was considered Iskigamizige-Giizis (Maple Sugaring Moon). With climate change, the season is already completed. Another name for April was Maango-Giizis (the Loon [Returning] Moon). They returned to the Twin Cities in March. I was told by elder Ogimaagwanebiik that the Spirits know--we are the ones that get it wrong.
Many plants are coming up in the woods: bagwaji-zhigaagawanzhiig (the wild leeks), namepin (wild ginger), mazaanaatig (nettles), nebanaanikweyaag (Virginia waterleaf), and gaazhagensibug (catnip) are already up. The zhishiibag (ducks), geese (nikaag) and waabiziiwag (swans) are passing through along the rivers, or coming here to nest. Giwii-gii'igoshim ina?(Will you go seek a vision?) It's time to finish your preparations.**
Celebrate spring by eating seasonally! We cannot wait for our Indigenous Food Share and Farmers Markets to start this season, but in the meantime there is always our wild foods. Pickled Burdock, anyone? Read more below to learn about Burdock and three different ways you can prepare it.
Earth Day is coming up! Join us at our upcoming event on Earth Day, Sacred Medicines and Garden Beginnings: Honoring Mother Earth, to learn more about our spring plant relatives and to prepare for starting your garden! See other Earth Day community events at our Upcoming Events section below.
We had such a great time hosting our last event that we decided to host a second panel with NATIFS. Join us for Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Experts, Allies, and Everyone in Between.
**April Moon Ojibwe lesson by Hope Flanagan, DWH Community Outreach and Cultural Teacher
|
|
|
We're hiring!
Cultural Teacher (Dakota or Lakota)
Youth Program Coordinator
Four Youth Interns
The Cultural Teacher and Youth Programs Coordinator are new additions to our current program staff and will work with Hope, Angel and Alanna for our summer programs.
The Youth Internship applications are due April 20th.
|
|
Burdock
When gathering plants, ALWAYS be sure to offer tobacco.
This is the time of year to gather burdock and burdock root. Burdock is not Native to Minnesota but was brought here as a food plant. The Ojibwe name for it is wiisagibag (peppery leaf) because the large rhubarb-like leaves were used to wrap meats and impart a peppery flavor. The most valuable part of the burdock plant is the first-year root. If you see last year's seed stalk, the root is going to be too woody. The root may be up to 3 feet long and has a woodsy-carrot flavor. It is also highly prized for antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties.
Spring Wild Foods Lesson by Hope Flanagan.
|
|
Burdock, Three Ways:
Roasting Method: Hope doesn’t recommend boiling burdock as the roots appear brownish and look less appealing. Instead, try boiling burdock and then roasting it. You can prepare it any way that you would prepare a carrot.
Burdock Tea: You can use burdock root for tea! Dry the root in an oven on a baking sheet. Once the burdock is fully dried it should snap clean when bending. remove it from the baking sheet. Let the burdock cool and grind the dried burdock with a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. If you don’t have either of those, you can use a knife to chop the dried burdock root. When combined with dried/ground dandelion roots, burdock tea can be beneficial for those who are recovering from and healing from chemical dependency, such as alcohol and drugs.
Pickled Burdock Root (also known as gobo root): Slice into 1/4-inch thick sticks (like a carrot). Add enough lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to cover the burdock root. Boil in water for 10-13 minutes until it is easily pierced with a fork. Serve as a cooked vegetable or use as a topping for soup!
Note: ALWAYS be cautious when trying a new plant. Everyone reacts differently to foods and plants so it is wise to always proceed with caution and start by using small amounts.
|
|
|
Want to Support Dream of Wild Health?
Donate to sustain our programs for Native American youth, our Indigenous seed collection, our work in the Native American community to increase healthy and traditional food access.
|
|
|
|
|
Learn language for this time of the year!
Maĝaokada Wí
Goose Egg Laying Moon
Dakota
Iskigamizige-Giizis
Sugar Making Moon
Ojibwe
|
|
|
|
Photo by Seed Savers Exchange
|
|
Where do I buy seeds?
We know spring is here because of the rains, green sprouts from the earth, and the requests we have received from you all about seeds!
Every year we receive dozens of emails and messages from community members asking about purchasing seeds for their garden. Dream of Wild Health does not sell seeds, but here are a few great places that do!
- Seed Savers Exchange (Rematriate Indigenous seeds back to their Tribal Nations)
- High Mowing (Seed royalties are paid to the Indigenous Seed Keepers Network)
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
DWH Events & Reminders:
- April 20th, 10-11am: Every Day is Earth Day with DWH, Earth Week presentation
- Earth Day, April 22nd, 5-7pm: Sacred Medicines and Garden Beginnings: Honoring Mother Earth, register here
- April 28th, 1-2pm: Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Experts, Allies and Everyone in Between, co-hosted by NATIFS, register here
Community Events:
- April 13th, 12-1:15pm: Celebrating Indigenous Women Chefs Series, Featured Chef: Hillel Echo-Hawk, more info here
- April 19-23: Earth Week: Mother Earth in Mind and Heart, in Everyone, hosted by Bemidji State University and North Hennepin Community College, register here
- April 24, 9am-11:30am: Spring Clean-Up at Wakáŋ Tipi (Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary), by Lower Phalen Creek Project, register here
*All times are Central Standard Time unless noted.
*All events are virtual unless noted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
