Corn Teachings with Dan Kimewon

Summary

This video highlights the traditional knowledge of Native American agriculture, focusing on the cultivation and use of corn, beans, and squash, known as the 'Three Sisters.' The speaker explains the process of curing corn using maple ashes for nutrition and the symbiotic planting of beans and corn. It also touches on the cultural and medicinal significance of natural foods, emphasizing the importance of preserving ancient seed varieties. The talk concludes with insights into indigenous practices of drying food and recommendations for further reading on Native American heritage.

Takeaways

• 🌽 The importance of Indian corn: discussing different types like colored and white corn and their nutritional preparation.
• 🔥 Maple ashes are used to cure corn because they contain medicinal properties.
• 🌱 Everything used in traditional practices is natural to North America and doesn't come from overseas.
• 👩‍🌾 The 'Three Sisters' planting method involves corn, squash, and pole beans, which benefit each other in growth.
• 🌿 Pole beans wrap around corn, providing support, while squash helps keep weeds down.
• 🧬 The traditional planting method was misunderstood by Europeans who didn't recognize its scientific basis.
• 🌾 After harvesting, corn is braided and dried; squash is stored in a cold, dark place.
• 🍲 Traditional food preservation methods included drying fish, meat, and vegetables.
• 📚 The book 'Indian Giver' is recommended for learning about historical food practices and bartering.
• 🙏 Gratitude to Wabano for hosting and sharing teachings about corn, nutrition, healthy living, and traditional medicine.

Q & A

What are the key types of corn mentioned in the transcript?

The key types of corn mentioned are Indian corn, colored corn, and white corn.

Why can't corn be eaten by itself according to the speaker?

Corn can't be eaten by itself because it will make you sick; it needs to be cured first.

How does the speaker cure corn?

The speaker cures corn using maple ashes because they contain medicine and are natural to North America.

What is the 'three sister plantation' mentioned in the transcript?

The 'three sister plantation' consists of corn, squash, and pole beans, which are planted together to benefit each other.

How do pole beans and squash help in the three sister plantation?

Pole beans wrap around the corn, providing support, while squash keeps the weeds down and provides ground cover.

What traditional method is used to preserve corn?

Corn is braided and hung up to dry as a traditional method of preservation.

How are other crops like squash and potatoes stored?

Squash and potatoes are stored in cold, dark places where they preserve themselves without much effort.

How did Native people traditionally preserve their food?

Native people traditionally dried their food, including vegetables, fish, and meat, as a preservation method.

What does the speaker say about the corn used for decoration during holidays like Halloween or Thanksgiving?

The speaker notes that the corn used for decoration during these holidays should be cooked and eaten, not just placed on the table.

What book does the speaker recommend and why?

The speaker recommends the book 'Indian Giver' because it provides insights into how Native people lived, bartered, and traded, and how they helped feed Europeans when they first arrived in North America.