Rethinking Lifestyle

This month the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative asked Debra Henry, a local Anishinaabe Woman from the Roseau River First Nation, to share some of her thoughts and family history with gardening.

When I reflect on my culture and gardening, the first thing that comes to mind is the teaching about the Three Sisters, which are Squash, Corn, and Beans. In our Indigenous culture our world view is about relationships. When it comes to gardening, traditionally, we refer to planting as a relationship. I have four sisters, and my sisters help me in my life as I help them. Indigenous planting as mentioned above, the three sisters, are a reflection of our world view. The squash is planted around the perimeter. With their prickly stem they keep the animals out. This protects the corn, which is planted inside the squash perimeter. Next the beans are planted beside the corn, which helps the beans grow upward on the corn stalks, causing the beans to flourish with its vines. This is on the inner area of the squash plants, also protected from the animals. The three sisters help each other throughout their growing season.

My grandmother loved gardening, as did my mother, both of whom inspired and taught me to garden. They gardened and canned that which needed to be preserved because they loved their families. I spent a number of years living in Winnipeg. Since moving back on to the land I have started gardening. I especially like using the three sisters technique. Life is about relationships and growth, as is seen from the three sisters.