The Three Sisters: Exploring an Iroquois Garden

1. The Three Sisters
Exploring an Iroquois Garden
Marcia Eames-Sheavly
C
' I, ' :
'
A Cornell Cotqwative Extension Pu
4-H Leader'sfluImhfs Guide i&LMts

2. Contents
3 l h e h Sisks
A Planting System
A m
5 lhe Need for Dtvwslty
Diversity All m d You
7 Digging Deeper: Getting to Know Sister Corn
An A-MAIZE-lng Grain
to FDDdsPrepared kwn Com
Inquois White C m In My Kiwhen
Ig Other UswofCom
15 AmI$?S
A hirg History: CwtducP an Interview
Corn Husk D ls
Bt
Explorins
'Ihree Sisters Math
Corn Relay
O k Advites
19 ExperImce an Iquols Garden
How to Plant the Three slsm
The Three Sisters in a W e t
A Commlrnity Plmtiq
u For More Information
sou=
RtxoUrca
aj 7he lime Sisters: W m an I w o i s Garden M e d m Evaluation

3. uman culture and h o r d c u l m Experiential Lemming
they are so closely tied1 Horoicul- At the bglnnlng or each United States. They have
tureisrheart~xiellceof
activity you will see bulleted been adapted to other age
gmwing frults, f l m , and veg-
lists that describe the life p u p s as well. Ywr chal-
etables. It i a practice i which people from
s n skills and project skills to be lenge will be to lead as
all dtures of the world have been absorbed highlighted. The activities are needed while encouraging
for thousands o years. What better way to
f ideal for helping youth ages young people to explore the
I about a soclety than to explore the way
m nine ro rwelve learn about activlty, leam from the
that people grow and use f d l native culmre through experience, and share thelr
In thls proJect,you will do just tltat. By gardening in informal graups results and observations;
lodcing at an Iroquols gardening method, yuu such as 4-H clubs, school- please use the experiential
will gain a better view of Native American aged child care setting, Imming model below as
culture. ExpIoring the foods, the customs, and other informal educational your example for this
the stories that evolved from the plmtlng of environments, home school- process. You will be influen-
corn, beans, w nd squash--the Three Slsters- ins o school classrooms.
r rial i helping youth see how
n
The activities were pilot these Lire skills can l
x
will help you understand the values that
tested throughout New York applied t other situation*
o
surround these crops.
State in these diverse an important pan of this
Planting these three mtlve crops wlB help educational surroundings and process. M s important,
ot
you become familiar with a crop management in many locations across the have fun!
system practiced by the Imuois people. By
De
experimentiq with an Iroquois gaden, you
will learn some bask plant breeding concepts
and see how crops respond to king planted
twther. You will also learn about the need
for plant diversity and the Importance of
sa diffemt plant species. Perhaps most
w
importantly, you will learn about sweral
different types of corn and why this plant has
been so honored by the Iroquois.
The Iroquois people a* m n l l y a confed-
eracy ofsix nations: the Mohawk. OmiQ1.
Ommdap, Cayuga, m and Tuscarora.
,
Native Americans call themselves the
Haudenosaunee, meaning "people of the
langhouse."The wotd iraquois, which was
used by the F m c h to describe them, has
becwne most familiar today and wiH be used
I thls publication.
n
Farming and plant breedinxj wem not neces-
sarily " m ' s work' In fact, among many
Native Amerkms, such as the Sama, the
plant breeders and farmers have mditiondty
been women

4. The Three Sisters
A Plantins System or hilled, around the corn
Corn, beans, and squash are plants. When the corn is
consider4 by the lroquois to about 4 to 6 inches high,
be special gifts from the bean and squash seeds are
Great Spirit. The well-being planted in the hills. Bean
of each crop is believed to seeds are placed in each hill,
be protected by one o the
f and squash is planted in
Three Sisters, spirits that are about every seventh hill. The
collectively called De-o-ha- three crops grow together
ko. This word means "our for the remainder o the
C
sustainers,"or "those who season.
support us." lnterptanting has many
The Three Sisters system advantages. lroquois farmers
refers to the planting of adapted this ecolagical
corn,pole beans, and squash planting method to meet the
or pumpkins together in hills. needs of their crops and
The practice of planting their people. Interplanted
more than one type of crop crops are not as attraczive to
together is called interplant- pests, while large plantings The planting o corn, beans,
f
ing. Although this planting of one crop tend to have and squash has been more
system is not common in the more pest problems. The than a gardening activity for
United States today, it is in hills provide support around the Iroquois. The Three
fact a well-thought-out !he base of the plants, so Sisters system also has
growing method that is used they are not as prone to provided a varied diet,
extensively in other coun-
damage from wind. Also, keeping the people healthy
tries such as Mexico. Inter- interplanting helps create a for hundreds of years.
planting is corning back into uniform stand of corn. The Customs, stories, myths, and
favor for some crops because corn forms a support for the
legends have surrounded the
farmers are finding that large beans, and the squash covers agriculture o the Iroquois.
f
plantings of one crop can the soil. helping to control
Many customs have been
have some major disadvan- weeds. carried on as a means o C
tages. Beans are in the legume respecting and honoring the
In the Three Sisters planting family, and legumes take piants that have given life to
system, raised areas are nitrogen from t h e air and the lroquois culture. In short.
made about 3 feet apart. convert it into a form that the Three Sisters system has
both within and between plants can use. This is helped support a culture
rows. Several seeds of corn important, because corn whose people have used the
are planted in small holes demands a fairly high land without destroying it.
and covered. As the emerg- amount of nitrogen. The
ing corn plants are weeded, nitrogen "left" in the hill by
the soil is gently mounded, the beans is available for
next year's corn crop. This is
one reason the lroquois
planted in the same hills for
several years.

5. mil
~ .-; i
'

6. The~stoy,encidedm~sPm,"wds~by~Thormu~[=omruallI~,Crmado.
bkwwdabdwcwnplledb.9snrdentsat--,Tolmuo,CaMda.Osaof-
m~~,wask~p~Jwlegendinu~tofmpect.
three sisttrs who I d together in a fkld. whowasdtedinyeUowandwhoalmyswand
to run away. %e I no mark dher going, but it
&
These sisters were quite d k thone an-
otherin&irsiKdhintheitwayofctressmg. may have beenthat shesetherkecin rhern-in
Ont ofthe b a little sister, so young that
wiw
tradrs of the little Indian bay.
she could only crawl at Arst,and she was d d Now there w;s but one ofthe sisters teft. Tall arad
ingru?n,Theseconddthechreeworeafmckd ma&tshedmthefieldnotonc;ebowingha
brightyellow, 4 had a way of runningd b y
she head with sorrow, but it seemed to her that she
he~elfwhen rhesunshme andthe& windblew cwld not live there alone. The days g ~ shorter
w
i her face. The third was the k k t sister,stand-
n and the nights were c&o. Her ~~l Med
ing always very straight and tall above the other and grew thin and dd. Her hair, once long and
sistenr and rrylng to guard them. She wore a pale golden,wastangldby thewind. Day and ni&tshe
green shawl, a d she had long, yellow hair that sghed for her sisters to retum w her, but they did
& h t h e r h d i the breezes.
n
There wasonly oneway in which the thrPesiscers
not hear her. Her voice when she tried w cat1 to
them w s low and plaintive like the wind.
Think a b u t the fallowing
quescims:
I
'I
w~wedike.~eylovedaneanocherve~~dmrly, Butonedapwhenitwasthemdtheharvcst, = How dM you feel when the
andtheywerencversepamtdTheyweresure thelideIndianboyheardtheuvingofchethird sisters left, one by one?
that they would not be able to Live apart. sisterwho had k e i I& t moum thwin the field.
~ o Did you notice anythlng
After awhile a manger came to the f ~ l of rhe He €eltm-iyforher, h e t d her inhii armsand
d and significant a b w r the order
three sisrers,a Little I n d i i h y .Hewasas straight m e d her to the lodge o his father and tnother.
f In which the sisters [eft?
as an arrnw and a h r k s as the eagle d m circled
the sky abwe his head. H h e w the way d
e
Ohwhat a surptise awaited her there! Her two lost
sisters were there i the lodge of the tittle Indian
n
- Can and
legend
you remember the
share It with a
talking to the b d and the small b m k s drhe boy,d e and very glad to see her. They had been
friend?
arth,rhcduew,ihchipmunk,andthe~ yarngabwtLhcindhhpd*hPd~
foxes, A d the three skms, theone who was just hwne with him t see how d where he lived.
o
able t crawl, the one in the yellow f r d , d the They had liked hiswarm cavesowell that they had
a
ane with &flowing hair, were wry muchinter. decided now that winter was coming on to stay
ested in the little Irsdian boy. They watched h m withhim.Andthqmdoingd1they cauldmbe
lithjsartowinhisbow,~whim~abowlwith useful.
his stone knife, and wondered where he went ar The littte sister in green, now quite grown up,was
night. helping to keep the dinner p t full. The sism in
h e in summer of the first coming of the Indian yellow sat on the &If dry~ngherself, for she
b t their field, one o the duee sisters d k p planned tofill rhe dinnerpot later. The third sister
y o f
pearedThiswasthe~sisterin~,the joined hem, ready tr, grind areal for the Indian
sistm who auld only seep. Shewas scarcelyable b . the three were nwer separated again.
y And
to ssrand k in the field unless& had a stick to Every chiid olw h y know these sistersd needs
whichshedung,Hersisteffrmwmedforherunril them just as much as the little Indian b y did For
the fall, but she did not mum. the little sister i green is the bean. Her sister i
n n
Once morethe Xndian boy came mdw field ofrhe yellow is rhe squash, and the elder sister with long
flowing hair of yellow and the green shawl is the
three sisters. H m e to gather reeds at the edge
e
corn.
dasmam nearby t makearrowshafrs. The two
o
sisters who were I& watched h m and gaed with
i -A Mohawk legend
wonder at the printsof his w n s in the earth
that,marked his mil.

7. The Need for Diversity
As a planting system, the that time, its susceptibility to traits each plant group uniformity, the risk of a
Three Sisters has more disease was unknown. Even Inherits. Groups of plants are disease or insect destroying
varlety, or dlverslty, than a today the world depends on classified into varieties, the entire crop becomes
planting of a single crop. In twelve varieties from a single races, or species, depending greater. This is because no
addition. native peoples species for 85 percent or the on the degree of differences variety is resistant to all
traditionally plant many potato harvest. among them. Scientists have potential pests.
varieties of each *Stster." described more than 250.000
In 1946 In the United Hundreds of plant species
How is this different From specles of flowering plants
States a blight destroyed are eaten for food through-
contemporary agrtculture? nearly all the oat crop. and hundreds to thousands out the world, but the
Why might this matter?
Although thlrty varieties of species of conifers, ferns, majority of food comes from
In 1970the United States were planted, all shared a
Fungi, and other plants. only four: corn. wheat, rice,
lost nearly half of Its corn single parent. Sdenrlsts estimate that rhere and potatoes. With the
crop to a dlsease called are more than 250 races o f increasing world population
Each of these examples
southern leai blight, This demonstrates the Importance corn in the world. and they and the decreasing use of
happened bcause most of to agriculture of maintaining have described thousands of pesticides, the species and
the planted varieties shared varieties. Only a few of the races that can give improved
plant dlversjty.
a single female parent from best varieties, however, are yield, nutritional quality, and
Texas. The parent passed What is plant diversiry? wldely planted. When a large pest resistance must be
along to each offspring a Basically, It Is the differences amount of land Is planted to preserved.
trait that made it susceptible among groups of plants, a single variety to ensure
to this dlsease. whlch are determined by the
In 1845, 75 percenr of
Ireland's potato crop rotted
in just weeks from a dlsease,
and a million people starved,
Although more than IW
species of potato exist in
Central and South America,
explorers brought back a
single variety to Ireland. At

8. Divemity All You may note differences in
around You other leaf characteristics as
well. Look for subtle changes
Wouldn't It be baring if
in color. A soft fuzz may
everyone looked alike?
occur on some of the leaves
Humans are lucky to be such
and not on others. All of
diverse m t u r e s ! To help
these subtle differences
you think o diversity in
f
represent plant diversity!
familiar terms. look at the
people around you. Although Now,back to the Three
you, your friends, and your Slsters. The lIroquols grow
lamlly are memkrs of the many types and varieties of
same species, you each are corn, beans, and squash In
unique individuals with traits one planting.
that are different from those How daes this gmwinp
of any other human. This is system differ from m m e r -
an example o diversity
f cia1 a m l t u r e t h y ?
among humans.
What are the advantam of
You can learn about diversity gowing a few high-yielding
amons plants in your own varieties of corn in large
backyard. All you need are plsntings?
paper and a pencil.
Which system is besr in
G o outside and select a terms of dive~iry7
single plant species of which
If a new strain of a disease
yw can find a sizable
were to appear, which
n u m b - C h m from wild
system would be better for
plants wch as sugar maple,
long-term survival of the
dandelion, ground ivy, or
planting?
goldenrod-there are many
to select fram!
When you have decided on
a plant species, k g n tracing
on paper the shapes o the
f
leaves from different plants
of that species. As you do
this, note the different
characterlstks of the leaves.
Are each of the leaves
exactly alike? Compare the
drawinm of leaf shapes.
Some leaves may have fewer
lobes or divisions, and some
may be more deeply ser-
rated, w toothed. Some may
be much larger than others.

9. Digging Deeper: Getting to Know Sister Corn
When the word corn is develop a new type of pain. Because corn fruits the year
mentioned. what do you They saved the best seed to it is plarned and has both
think of? Most Hkely you first replant and nurtured the male and female flowers. it is
think of sweet corn, that ywng maize plants by well suited for b d i n g
favorite food o summer.
f weeding and warering. work.The pollen that is
Corn chips and other foods mea. Incas. and Mayas transfemd from the male to
such as tortillas also may used this grain as a staple the female flowers generally
come to mind. You are less crup, learning ways to travels with the wind. and
likely to think of corn as "the prepare and preserve It. much moss-pollination
mosr important American Eventually, maize spread occurs. Breedencovwyour~g
Indian contribution to world throughout Central h r ~ c a ears with bags to prevent
civilization. . . appearing in and Into both South and random pollination. When idnridual
Christopher Columbus's log North Amerlca. All these the silks appear. breeders flower (male)
at least twice during his first native cultures regarded uncover the ears and place
voyage."' maize as a sift from their on the silk pollen from
Corn Is more than a sweet creator. ptants with deslred qualities,
such as disease resistance,
summer delight and a snack Corn is monoeciws Imon-
food. It is a crop rich in ee-shuss). which means that earliness. or large size. Thls
there are both male and keeps unwanted pollen from
history. In Iroquois culture,
mixing up the moss.
rajsing corn is an essential lemale flowers on each corn
part of life. plant WhiIe many flowering
Corn is our most important
plants contain male and
native crop Called mahlz by female parts withln the same
Taino. the first Native flower, In corn the male and
Americans to meet Colum- female flowers are I n
different Imtions. The male
bus, this member of the grass
family is known by much of flower is known as the tassel
the world as maize and by and rests on top of the plant
scientists as Zea mays. in the form o a branching
f
head. The female ffower is
The corn that we know today located ktween the sheaths
has a rich and welldevel- o the leaf and stem. I t
f
oped history in many conslsrs of a collection o f
different Native American hairs. called silks, enclosed
cultures. Its origins can I ?
n in the husks of what will
t r a d to Mexico, where corn become the ears. These silk
was first raised about 7,000 are pollen-mivinp tubes.
years ago. Farmers In
Mesoamerica probably
crossed wild grasses to
J o e Barreiro. A h s o n of Corn.
In: tndran Corn ofthe Amrkss,
Gift to the W d d h b r t k ~ i
Indian m t a r l y . Ithaca N.Y.:
Corndl Uniwrsity Amwican lndlrm
Program. sprl@-m= 1989. P. 9.

10. Although &re is one Different types d corn have Despite all the corn products mentioned above long before
botanical +es of corn, varlous uses. For example. on our grocery shelves, we Europeans came l the
a
many types. or races, exist, the hard, flinty kernels of eat only about fourteen or Americas. American Indian
and each race consists of nint corn are best suited for fifteen of every hundred farmers were good plant
many varieties. 'These var- use i foods such as hominy
n bushels gown in the United breeders. They kept types
ieties freely cross-pollinate. or grits. Flour or soft com IS States. Most is fed to live- separate by preventing cmss-
The t y p of corn frequently ~ m e because it makes
d stock or used in products pollination. Uniform,vigor-
grown In the United States an excellentquality flour. such as explosives and paper ous, high-yielding, seed was
include flint, flour, dent, and Much o the corn yown
f products. More &an a saved and deliberately
sweet corn and popcorn. today In the United States is thousand modern items crossed to gnerate higher-
There is also a pod corn yellow dent. Although dent come from corn! yielding hybrids, Iroquois
often referred to as "grand- corn is often fed to animals The decorative cam asso- white a m b still grown and
father corn."This ancient In this country, it is well ciated with Halloween and
enjoyed t a d ~ y la nutrition
.
corn has an unusual appear- suited to grinding a d is other harvest celebrations is and flavor make it an
ance; each kernel I c o d
s used as cornmeal in many important ingedfent i many
n
often called Indian com, but
in Its own husk. fads. S e t cam and
we in fact all corn is American
foods,such as tortillas,
poprom speak for them- Indian m American
.
breakfast cereal, and corn
sI!
e= Indians dweloped the types bread.
POP Flint ~ent Softorflwr Pod or "gmndfathrP
Kernels we hard Each kernel is Kernds consist of a hard, Kernels consist The mtire kemel is Each kernel may be
and flinty through- endosed in a flinty matter on the of a translucent starchy and soft This endosed in a small
wt hard, flinty coat outside and a soft center; horny material form of corn is husk, while the whole
and has a soft, center "dents" are due to containin% frequently gmwn by ear is endosed in
starchy substance shrinking of the soft part considera le Native Americans. The large external husks.
in the center. Hint of the kernel. Nearly all sugar instead of American Indian Wen planted, pod
corn is best suited corn in the Midwest corn starch. Agriculture Project at corn often gives a
to the Northead. belt belongs to this race, Cornell University is crop of both podded
as well as all silage and currently conducting and unpodded ears.
grain corns in New York research with Iroquois
white flour corn.
Strowbefry Ptrrple Husk Golden Banrum Hopi Blue Delaware Gmndfatber
-Pops v m ; Yelh Sugor Buns Iroquois M i t e

11. Corn tamales or tortillas?
Flwrs made from corn?
How many different types of Young children love to
corn and corn products can handle different-colored
you find? A w n is a good kernels o corn. The starf at
f
time to look lor corn. S m a child care center in central
and roadside stands carry New York built a low table
many decorative corns, with sides and filled the
particularly around Hallow- table with corn and beans of
een. What type do you think many colors. The children
they are? Many times, what use it during the long winter
Is sold as Indian corn is dent months as an indoor activity
corn, flint corn, o popcorn.
r center. They scoop up the
How many different colors o f vain In their hands and in
corn can you find? If you containers. see the many
collect them, save them for COIO~S, and let their imagina-
the diversity activity ("Diver- tions run free1 Young people
sity All around You")in the also low t glue colored
o
section "TheNeed for corn t construction paper
o
Dlverslty." to create corn m m l a .
Which corn p d u c t s are
sold on the shelves of your
family grocery store? Can
you find blue cornmeal7 Jars
of baby or mlnlature corn?
T~In~dvisithgMch--gaveme
d i t ~ t y t o t d t b c m a t x w t t h e & ~
oomAttheOmii~~on,a~&dhehadgmwn&c
same cam.His dtscriptim fit e &
m . I asked where he hd
gmmthe~ecd andherdcrrodmrroanodmfritndwbM
~Itfamsh6r*.Tlumty~~~thatthc~s
bkwdd~aM1whmdiggingupasiaeha
n m ~ w m y i a ~ W i i n , h t ~ a m d l
ss$sdrxmerg~hde.chisbowl~the~
whid!hepveto~~,who~itmher~ter,&
~VCItt~the~wkoplatlbedIt

12. Foods Prepared from Corn
C a m has been enloyed in its by Arthur C. Parker. an
many g m w i r ~stages for a archamlast and a author-
n
long time. Sweet corn Is i ty on Iroquois culture. Many
typically harvested for peak o the foods wlll probably be
f
sweetness in the m l stage,
ik famlliar t y ,
o w such as
whlch w c u when the juice
~ boiled geen corn (this i s
In the kernel is milky in corn in the milk stag?, In
color. Contemporary fanners whlch we usually enjoy
often harwst corn for sweet corn), but some are
canning i the "daugh"stage, very unusual. A l t h m the
n
when the sugar In the kernel text Is true t Parker and
o
is m r t l n g t o starch and refers to the use of these
the kemel Is more chewy and fmls In the pist t n e es,
less sweet. Dent, flint, and many are still enjoyed by
flour cum and popcorn are Iroquois people today.
harvested at the end of the
season, when the kernels are LeafbfesPdmnale%nlls
dish was prepared from
mature and dry.
green corn. The kernels were
Much of I q u o i s life has scraped from h e cob,
revolved around the planting, beaten to a milky paste,
care, and harvesting of corn. patted into shape, and lald
It Is not surprising, rhen, that In a strip on one end of a
many Iroquois dishes Feature broad corn leaf. After folding
corn. N a ~ v e
American people in a special way, the tamales
have used corn for every- were boiled.
thing from beverages to
puddings, casseroles, and Baked green corm Sweet
soups. me Imquols have corn was scraped from the
been very m a t i v e In flnding cob, beaten to a paste, and
so many ways to grepaw baked slowly overnight in w
m. kettle.
The following is a list of Boiled corn: This
some common Iroquois fare dlsh is the same as corn on
of old. It was adapred from the cob, with which you are
an extensive record of familiar. Green corn means
Iroquois uses o carn as-
f the kernels are in the milk
sembled In the early I- stage. Tuscarora corn and
sweet corn w e ~ used with
e
equal favor. The kernels
were eaten on W cob or
scraped off and eaten in
dishes.

13. Fded green cwn: This dish CFWCkCdundrledcorn: dumpling^ Dumplings were
was prepared by maping the Thb dish used ripened but cookd with boiling meats,
k w r p e l ~ o f ~ c o m f ~ o mnot dry m 7he kernels
. especially game blrds. Corn
tfie cob, mashing It in a were crushed, kernel by meal was rnolstened with
mortar, and either patting it kemel, on a flat stone, mixed boiling water, quickly molded
into cakes or towing it In a with beans, and boiled for into cakes. and dropped Into
basket to make a loose, light sevwal houts. bollrng stack or water.
mass. It was then fried.
B o h l mm M Purple, : Hominy: Hominy was
Swmmsh Green mm was calico, and hominy corns -red from flint corn.The
mlxed with caoked beans were used to make this corn kernels were mixed in a
and seamirip and sbn- bread T h e m kernels were mortar with a Iittle water
mered. bolled for fifteen to twenty and white ashes to make
minutes in a weak lye bath pounding easier. The cracked
Bakad cob mIn the made of hardwood ashes and kernels were sifted,
h d e This was a popular water. When the hulls pounded, sifted again, and
way of preparing green corn loosened, the corn was winnowed. The coame,
on the cob.The ashes from plaoed i a hulling basket.
n granular meal that resulted
the camp or hearth O r e wet^ The corn was tinsed t wash
o was cooked and eaten as a
brushed aside and a row of away the loosened hulls and cereal-like dish
unhusked ears were laid on the ashes, then drained and
the hot stones or the ground. H d k d ram: This favorite
ground in a m o m - After
The e m were then covemi sifting. the resultingmeal dish was made from soft
with cold ashes. and embers was moistened with water.
corn, prepared i the same
n
were heaped over them. A molded into a cake, and
way -bed for bailed
Rot fire was built and
boiled. corn bread. The kernels were
maintained until the corn washed until ftee o hulls,
f
beneath was thought to be Early bread: Before the then boll& for several hours
sufficiently baked. Corn corn was thoroughly dry &I until they were tender and
baked in this manner had a the autumn, it was plucked burst. This was a favorite
fine flavor a d never became for making early bread. The feast food
scorched. unhulled corn kernels were
mixed with a little water in a
Raked scraped corm The mortar and lqround into a
kernels of green corn were pasre. The paste was molded
scraped ftom the cob,
into loaves, which were
pounded I a mortar or
n hiled.
mashed in a wooden bowl
with a stone, patted into Early corn p d d i n s A
cakes, sprinkled with dry paste was made, as &-
meal, and baked I small
n scribed for preparing early
dishes. bread. Then it was dralned.
sifted, t o s s 4 into a wet
meal, and boiled down into a
pudding,

14. Dried corn soup: For Sauyk This dlsh was made If you are not Inclined to eat
winter's use, the kernels of tke same way bolled corn parched corn coffee, samp,
green, white. or sweet corn bread was made. except the or nut and corn pottage, rry
were cut from the cob and corn was not ground so some of the ideas included In
dried before a fw, taking fineIy In a mortar. Often the next section. o refer to
r
care that the dryins war berries or meat were mixed a coo^ Grind your own
rapid enough to prwent the and cooked with samp. can, using rhe corn you
milk from souring. To make have g o w n in the 1 1 r e
soup, the dried corn was Pmthed a m coffeeCom Sisters plantlng system
hiled for three-quarters of was roasted on coals. then
discussed at the end of this
an hour, or untll tender. mixed with boiling water to gulde.
make a beverage.
Dried corn was sometimes
roasted and pounded for
pudding meal.
Corn pudding: White corn
was roasted brown, pounded
slowly in a mortar. and
sifted. The coarser granules
were pounded and resifted
until ail the granules were
uniform. The meal was then
thrown into boiling water
and cooked until tender. A
small bag of corn pudding
was often tamed by hunters.
Nut & tom pottage: Thls
M I
dish was prepared by mixing
nut meal or nut milk with
parched corn meal and
boiling the mixture with
meat. pumpkin, beans, and
chestnuts. It was sometimes
sweetened wlth maple sugar.
m*dcheboyMtosubmictohsr&s~~
she m l d &r no dmmthl dycaiwr. The by's grand*
ding: This lavorlte puddlng &then d mawpfmtr d i n g btead cake8 and
was made with parched or cattied them to the glrlb pmhmher, d m notified her
,yellowcorn meal mixed with daughterd thegirl must marryacertainm m If rbesuit was
m
1 sugar and boiled pumpkin or
squash. The corn meal
rejectdat t h e f i r a p p d , t h e w e d d i d e s w m l e f c
m d e d , and the humiliated donorhad t a q o e and
mixture was cooked. d a i m the d e s .
Somehavc~d~tthe~d&werenevaeaurr.but
probablywwe~byrhelmy'siimily~~m
p i t the o 8 ~ o l d ~ w hadled ttremtobelieve
h o
~~writ~smiladupwl

15. bcpuis White Corn in My Kitchen
~ ~ o m d i u s , ~ ~ m ~ ~ d c s a r d i e s r m d c h a i rUo wf m t~ yI o~f S ~ ~, a t ~ B a y
A W
In our fmlly. planting. Or instead of boiling the D u r i q Augst the family At ane time people didn't
harvestir@ and preparing corn, we allow it to dry to likes to prepam m s t corn. rakecareofthem.-rhey
white cwn involves every- use for corn bread. In the The boys d k a fire pit didn't appreciate the gift of
I
one. The family works old days we would have outside and put a meklY corn. This made the mm
together, often with other pounded drted corn with a grate over it. The ears of sad, and It went away. Only
families, to plant and h m t mortar and ptle, but today husked corn are then toasted then did the pmple discover
the corn. When it comes we use a metal hand finder. over the fire until they how much they deperPded on
time to prepare the corn and Each p e m In the family brown. We scrape the corn the corn. When the people
eat it, everyone joins In. takes a turn at the grinder kernels off ttre mb after rhey promised to h thanldul o m
When we make corn soup -we it's hard work are roasted and then dry again for the corn, the corn
t u m g the crank by handl them. In the winter we make came back, but with many
the family sits around the
kitchen table to sort the After the a m is ground into roastm~tosoupby W.The people had to
shelled corn. We remove any caking it in water. work harder to enjoy the
flour and sifted, we add
corn silk, questionable beans and hot water and Eachwayof~gwhlre m .
kernels or corn husks that form the mixture into cakes corn involves the entire The children responded that
mIQtrt still be mixed In with about five Inches I diameter
n family. Another fmlly tdd they were truty thankful for
the corn.Then we add the and wo inches thick After us they bought an electric m!
corn to boiling water along plunging our hands in cold grinder to replace their The time spent preparing
with dean wood stove ashes. water, we smooth the hand-craM metal ander white m Is a yeat way to
The mm a brrlllant surface of the cake, which bMause they wanted to save share cultural knowMge and
orange, wfilch tells us that helps hold it tqether. We time and energy. But they tlme together as a family.
we have used enough asha. place the cakes in a ketrte af discovered that they missed
After the com MISfoe about bo31h-y water fr abut an
o the time they spent together
thirty minutes, we take It hour. When they rise to the while they used the hand
down to the stream. where surface, the corn bread Is Qrlnder. So they put the
we pour It into the cum done. Everyone comes electric grinder away and
washing basket. W e dip the rumling when we annmnce only use It to make large
basket into the s t ~ e a m
to the a n bread Is ready. It's quantities o corn flour when
f
wash away all the ashes and s !dl
o company i expxed.
s
hulls. This is fun to watch Another food we prepare As the family works together,
k a w e litrle fish dart to the from white com is mush. the dldren ask questions.
surface to catch che hulls. Many tlmes their questions
One person (Wudly an
There a e many foods we
r adult) handles the cast iron can be anmePed by telling a
can make now. For corn skillet in which the com Is story. One time. the young
soup, we radd the washed parched until It I toasted
s folks asked why com had so
I comtoapotdboiling and brown, The rest of the many husks on it and why it
water and cook the corn for family takes turns grinding was such h a d work putllng
several hours before adding the corn wlth the metal off all h e husks. We told the
prlrtder, and the children sift story that answered their
the ground corn flour. The questions:
gwnd corn flour is added to
water and cmk& as a
cereal. We eat it with real
maple syrup and salt pwk

16. Other Uses of Corn
Corn has been used in many
ways for food in Iroquois Husks were used to wrap
culture. The use of corn has corn pudding or green corn;
not ended in the kitchen,
however. The Iroquois have
used various parts of the
plant in many other ways.
the bundles were then boiled
or baked to make wedding
bread.
Husk bottles, trays, baskets.
I
Stalks: Stalk tubes were moccasins, and sandals were
used to store medicine. Corn woven as well. Husk door
syrup was extracted by mats were braided so hat
boiling or evaporating the the tufts of the husk were
juice of young green corn- left protruding from the top
stalks. Cornstalk "war clubs" of the braid. The braid was
and "spears" were used by then coiled to Corm an oval
boys in mock battles. mat. The thick tufts were
"Counting"straws were cut trimmed evenly, and the flar
from the tassel stems and braids were sewn securely
used to teach children how with threads oi husk
to count.
Many items such as corn
Corn husks: Corn husks had husk mattresses. although
many uses. Single strips were unfamiliar to most people,
pressed or lolded together are stilt created by Iroquois
and used as short-term today.
lamps when matches were
Have you ever seen or made
scarce. A larger quantity of
a corn husk doll?
husks were used far kindling
a fire. Husks were shredded
and used as filling for
pillows. cushions, mattresses,
and lounging mats. Husks
were even braided in Jong
strands and used as clothes-
Lines.

17. Activities
A Living History: Oral history has played a How did you store Food?
Conduct an major role in the transfer of
information in Native
- Did you grow fruits and
Interview vegetables at home?
American culture, The story
about grandfather corn Did you follow any special
Youth will
relates the strong sense of gardening practices, such as
demonstrate awareness of
community and the awe planting by the phases of the
differences and similarities
people experience when they moon or inrerplanting?
among people, their
cultures, and their age share wisdom and when they Did you ever work on a
groups; demonstrate affirm a link to their past. farm?
sensitivity to or idenrify The process of building a
What are the biggest
with another person's living history o oral tradi-
f
changes that you have seen
situation, feelings and tions is a valuable way to
in the food you eat and rhe
ideas. experience the transfer of
way it's grown?
knowledge firsthand. It also
learn to conduct an What was life like before
reminds you that history is
interview. the use of machinery?
not simply what you read in
a book or study in a class- How has your life changed
room. as society has become more
Set up a time TO take a pad technological? How has it
o paper and pencil and talk
f not changed? What do and
with a senior member of don't you like about it?
your community.Your After the interview discuss
grandparent or other elder the following questions:
relative. a neighbor, a
How willing was your friend
resident of an adult home, or
to share his or her experi-
a community historian can
ences? Were you surprised
be a wealth o information. If
C
by any o the observations?
f
you have access to old
After you warmed up, did the
photographs, local paintings,
interview pass quickly?
or newspaper articles, all the
Although you may have
better! Ask some o the
f
studied history, did you learn
following questions, but do
things from the interview
not feel limited to them:
thar you have not read in a
What is your earliest book? How has agriculture
memory? changed? How have garden-
When you were a child. ing practices changed? What
what was your diet like? did you l e a ~ n
from the
What were your favorite experience?
foods?
How did you shop for
food?

18. Corn Husk Ihlk Com husk dolls are familiar Split a piece of husk In half.
Youth will
learn an aspect of history
through creating a product
to many people. but some of
the beliefs and customs
behind them are not. For
example, most Iroquois
Fold each piece i half.
n
- ,;
-" . - / , ,. - ,,
> m ::.,;:, ,-.
- -
.
,- , , -
and enjoy worklng on a chow to make faceless dolls.
task with others. They felt that if a hild wem
learn to produce rt corn t mistreat or damage a do11
o these over the doll's
husk doll. with a face, the doll could arms to form the shouldws-
bring harm to the child. Take another strip of husk
Pretty-faced dolls were and use It ro tie off the
associated with conceit by walst. Trim the bottom, and
thls culture mat e n m a w haw a &]I who is
humdlty. wearing a h-
To make a corn husk doll,
you will need scissors, twine,
and dried corn husks, which
can be softened by soaking
i warm water, Use newspa-
n
per to cover the surface you
are working on.
A corn husk doll is made in
three pieces to create the
head, arms, and shoulders
and body. To make the head* ~fyou would like a doll with
off a Piwe of husk and pants, divide the bottom in
roll it into a ball. Fold a half and tie off the ankles
piece of husk over this ball wth twne.
and tie it with a thin strlp of
husk
Take another piece o husk
f
and roll it tubelike, len~th-
wise. Atrach this below the
neck, and tie it offat the
ends to create wrists. Trim
the edps.
Experiment with other
designs of your awn1

19. Through the activities in this Anothef variation is to roast ObserveCornorBean
section youth will some of the kernels sent1y Seeds Water
over low heat in an iron Weigh two tablespms of
gather information lor corn or bean seeds, then
f i gpan until they are
vn
improvtxl problem solving.
golden. If you grind these place them in a jar; cover
use m m t e thinking skills roasted corn kemels into the seeds with a measured
and enjoy discovery meal and then cook them m u n t of water and let
learning. wlth water (much as you them stand overnight. Drain
learn to share use o a tool
f would oatmeal or cream or the water and measure the
while working together. wheat), you can make a good amount left. How did the
tasting corn c r a .
eel seeds chany in slze? In
produce cornmeal and weight? How much water did
make measurements and Old shellers and grain mills
they absorb?
observations a b u t seeds can be purchased inexpen-
and plant growth. gvely at "junk"and antique
MeasumGmmthof
shops. New oms are more
Corn Plants
Shelling and expensive. Cooklng supply How d o e a corn plant
Grinahg Corn stores sell grain mills, and ~row-from the top o F o
r rm
If there were one activity to some farm stores still carry
the bottom? After corn
do with youth in the fall, corn shellers. See the plants are established, place
related to the T h e Sisters, resource section far a supply marks wlth a permanent
this might I ill Young
x source. marker at the top, middle,
people enjoy the very active and bottom of each plant.
nature of grindlng corn Into M o n m and Measure the distances
cornmeal. DJcots
between the marks at weekly
Sprout m e corn, bean, and
For this activity. use corn Intervals: chart the results.
squash seeds. How do they
h a t has completely d r i d Where does the greatest
dlffer In appearance as they
down on the cob. You can growth take place?
begin to swell and take up
use a sheller to remove the
water? Grasses, including
dry corn kernels from the
corn,are monocots, and
cob or remove them by
k n s and squash are dicots.
hand, Then, put the corn
Can you see the singe
kernels in a gain mill and
cotyledon (cot-ill-EEdun)of
yd to the &gee of
i
the corn seeds and the two
fineness that ywr prefer,
cotyledons o each of the
f
from a Fine flour to m r s e
bean and squash d 7
meal. Grlndlng with a mortar
These meaty plant pam
and pestle is effective but
provide nutrition to the
very time-consumlng and can
young plant until it can make
add interest to the acdvlty.
its own food. m i n e the
Try to choose at least two spurs with a hand lens or
different types of for magnlfyln~ @ass. Can you
comparison. For example, see she tiny root hairs?
grlnd blue flint and yellow
dent. How do the two
compare in texture? In wlor
and m?

20. Three Sisters Math Corn Relay not contain a corn product Other Activities
are tapioca, white milk Are there native American
Youth will Youth wltl (chocolate milk is likely to
identify and solve prob- folklore, lqends, or practices
contribute a cooperative contain corn syrup). diet
lems; gather inlormation related to gardening that you
effort toward a common soda, pasta, and c o k e .
for improved decision interest and enjoy partici- can discover in your area
making. pating with others.
For each team, lay a pile of and share with your group?
products at a given distance. Invite a local speaker to talk
create a planting plan. demonstrate ability to remembering to include only with your group about the
Using graph paper, design a spend time on a task one producr that does not subject.
plan for a Three Sisters wisely and follow through
garden. Use as your scale on ground rules.
contain corn. When you say - Look for nonfood items
START!, the first member OF
-
one blwk one foot. This is a Ilvely, highly each team i to go to the
s
that have been made from
the Three Sisters or from
First measure 13' x 13' for the enga9ins activity that relies pr~ducts, choose one other plants. You may find
outside borders of the on reading and teamwok as that contains corn. and bring
corn husk o pine needle
r
garden square. Within the opposed to speed. it back. The next person goes
baskets, textiles colored with
garden square, measure out to the pile. chooses a corn plant-based dyes, unusual
The objective of this activity
3' x 3' hills [or planting and product, and brings it back.
is to discover how much papers such as rice paper,
a 2' path between each hill. This prmess continues untll
corn appears in many of the and many other items. Point
How many hills can you the first team flnlshes, and
foods that we eat and r o out to your pmup that we
plant? they all yell CORN1 to Indi-
read very carefully. not only eat plants but
From your seed collection, cate that they have finished.
breathe their waste product
count out: For this activity. you will Check the winning team's
(oxygen). wear them. use
27 corn seeds need to Qo t the FocV
o pile of products. If they them for shelter. write on
45 bean seeds store and !Pr a varieY mistakenly brought back the
them. heal wlth them. dye
9 squash seeds foods (or raid Your cupbard one product that does not fabric with them enjoy their
Or Pantry). Read b e in!Tedi- confain corn, they are
Divide the seeds so that an shade and beauty, and even
entS to find which contain disqualified,
equal number of each seed heat our homes and travel
corn products such as corn
goes into each hill. How After the activity, discuss the with a product of their
many of each seed can p . .
starch or corn svruo. Cereals.
number of prod~lcts that decayed remains (fuel).
iuices. sauces. salad dressine.
into each hill? d,
contain corn. Most young Where would we be without
drinklng sodas. baby foods,
N e a choose a way to people are surprisd to find them?
baby formulas, pet foods.
arrange the three kinds of that they are eating corn
. .
arewired and frozen foods.
when they drink soda o eatr
seeds in each hill. You might
and many other products
want to experiment by spaghetti sauce. Talk about
contain corn syrup or starch.
placing rhe seeds on the the importance of listening
There are also corn oil.
paper plot. Think about the TO instructions. reading
popcorn, corn tortillas, and
characteristics of each sister. carefully. and teamwork.
others.
How does the way each Since most relays are based
sister Qrowshelp you decide Choose several relay teams ,
,-, thk ohentakes
where to place it in the hill? Or !Pups young people+ young people by surprise.
How will you arrange the For each relay team, you will
Special hint: if you do not
seeds in each hill? Why? . for
need a ~roduct each
-
like the emphasis on compe-
Color code the spots where member plus an additional
tition, you can simply set it
rhe seeds go wlth the irem (so. seven prducrs for
up so that all teams are
crayons and add a key to a six-member team). All of
bringing back products, and
show whlch color equals those products except for
the activity is over when the
which seed. one should contain corn in
last team finishes-and then
some form. Examples o f
alI teams yell CORN! together.
p d u a s that typically do

21. Experience an Iroquois Garden
I this section you will learn
n are used to tidy. wide rows.
how to plant the Three Feel fme to adapt the
Ststen acrording to lroquois spacings if necessary. Most
custom. You have already importantly, enjoy this
learned many new things exercise as an investigation
abut m and her two into Native American culture.
sisters a d about Irquois
As they begin planting
gardening Mow you can try
Iroquois people direct their
this plantingsystem yourself
thoughts to the elements
and m a t e an ancient (and that help plants grow. What
m & m ) practice.
are the elements that make
Be aware &at this system ywr garden thrive? As you
may provide some unex- prepare your @n e in the
pected results. Interplanting l q u o i s tradition, you may
witltout the addition of want to consider and
fertilizer may rmlt in a appreciate these elements as
decreased yield The site may well.
become more crowded than
you're accustomed to when
you p w single phntings. It
may seem awkward at first
to work ararnd plants that
have grown so closely
together. especially if you

22. How to Plant the There are many corn vari-
Three Sisters eties to choose from. Dent,
flint, and flour corns are
Youth will especially suited to this
learn to locate resources sysrem,while popcorn often
as well as develop a wider does not get tall enough and
comprehension of what is may be overwhelmed by the
required T r gardening.
a beans and pumpkins.
produce a unique Three (Iroquois white flour corn is
Sisters garden. available from the American
t.Conduct a soil test, and Indian Program,450 Caldwell
prepare the sarden site. Add Hall, Cornell University,
compost or other materials Ithaca, NY 14853, a t a cost of
such as peat moss or manure $2.00 per packet.)
to the soil. This will improve If you care to follow Iroquois
the soil structure and add custom, plant the seeds with
nutrients. If you have grown Traditional planting method: Corn and beans are planted
.
kind thoughts three days
a g m n manure cover crop together. Pumpkin is planted in every seventh hill. The pumpkin
before the full moon.
seeds can be planted alone, or with the corn and beans in the
such as winter rye, turn it seventh hill.
3 After young corn plants
.
under two to three weeks
come up, b q i n removing # mrn seed bean seed A pumpkin seed
before planting.
weeds. As you are weeding,
2. Plant corn in late May. gently mound, or hill, the
It is best if the ground has soil around the young plants.
warmed and is no longer
4. When the corn plants are
cold and wet. Iroquois
about 6 inches high, pole
tradition holds that planting
beans and pumpkins can be
begins when the leaves of
planted around rhe corn
dogwod are the size o aC
plants. Genuine Cornfield or
squirrel's ear.
Scarlet Runner bean and
Soak corn seeds for several Connecticut Field or Small
hours, but not more than Sugar pumpkins are heir-
eight hours, before planting. loom, nonhybrid varieties
(Soaked seed may dry our that are readily available yet
quickly, so keep the seeds "authentic" crops for your
well watered for the first project.
w e k or two if the soil is not
After thoroughly weeding.
kept moist by rain showers.)
plant Four or live bean seeds
Prepare low hills that are 3 in each hill. Plant four or
to 4 feet apart within and five pumpkin seeds in every Alternative planting method: Try planting the pumpkins in a
between the rows. Place five seventh hill, placing them row of hills between the cam and beans. h i s method is used
.
to seven corn seeds, evenly around the young corn more frequently among other native peoples, such as the Hidatsa.
Do not feel limited to $lese designs. Feel free to try your awn
spaced to a deprh o I to I ' / 2
f plants. (Planting pumpkins in planting methods!
inches. Cover with soil. every hill would quickly
overwhelm your planting site # corn seed bean seed A pumpkin seed
with viny growth.)

23. 5. Your plants will need Be sure to keep track of The Three Sisters A Community
water each week. If it does which plants you have hand in a Basket Plantins
not rain at least an inch per pollinated so you can
If you lack space, try plant- Although growing the Three
week, the planting will need compare them with those
ing the Three Sisters in a Sisters is popular in schools.
to be irrigated. If you are that have cross-pollinated.
bushel basket or other large the garden season does not
using presoaked seed,
8. Harvest and store your container. Use a li&tweight often correspond to the
remember to water more corn, beans. and pumpkins soil mix, Plant 2 to 3 corn school year. An exciting
frequently at first. with care. When the corn seeds, allow the plants to alternative is to form a
6. Most of the nitrogen husks are dry, pick the ears reach 6 inches, and then partnership with a local
converted by the beans will and spread them out in a dry plant 3 to 4 bean seeds and 2 muwurn. historicat society,
nor be available to the corn place, To prevent mold, do pumpkin seeds lor experi- Cooperative Extension
and pumpkins the first year; not store the ears when they ment with different numbers Association, or public library.
the bean roots have to break are first harvested. 1C you of seeds). One of these partners may
down to release nitrogen. plan to grind the corn. let it be willing to provide space
To ensure adequate pollina-
Corn is a heavy nitrogen dry for several weeks. for the planting and help
tion, be sure to remove the
feeder. so sidedressing with If you plan to save seed, maintain it over the summer.
male flower, or rassei. from
fertilizer is necessary to Thk approach has worked
choose seed from your most the corn and shake it
achieve satisfactory yields. vigorous, uniform plants well for many people. The
vigorously over the female
YOU can use manure. com- from the center OF the ear. children benefit by experi-
silks. Otherwise, the ear will
post, or commercial ferlilizer. After you have shelied the encing the planting in the
not be pollinated and will
7. If you are hoping to keep kernels, keep them in a cool, not fill out. Do this wherl the sprins and the harvest in the
a variety pure--for example. dry place in covered contain- mate flower first tassels out. fall. The community partner
an heirloom variety of corn- ers or plastic bag. Following or the wind will carry the benefits by having an
you will need to isolate the Iroquois tradition, do not let pollen away before you can attractive and unique
corn rrom other varieties. If a single kernel 9 ro waste! use if. You will know demonstration planting to
isolation is not possible. you whether your efforts are display during the summer
You can harvest your beans
will need to hand pollinate. effective if you can see the months. The teacher benefits
when they are Feen or after
This is a challenp. but it is dustlike pollen grains by being able to introduce a
the pods have shriveled and
fun to experiment to see adherlng to the silks. hands-on, unique experience
dried.
what results you can get. without the challenges of
Pick pumpkins when their summer maintenance.
To hand pollinate, place color changes.
waxed paper lunch bags over
the newly forming silks to 9. Try cooking a new food
keep out unwanted pollen. from the corn, such as
When the plants are tassei- hominy or succotash. Save
lin2 out, remove the bags the husks to make baskets or
briefly and shake the desired dolls. Weave a basket; create
pollen on the silks, then a corn mosaic. Use the plants
replace the bags. Your to decorate your mailbox, a
desired pollen may be that flagpole, or a tree trunk.
of the same variety. If you Compost the remaining plant
are experimenting with materlal. At the end of the
crosses,however, the pollen season,have a harvest
must come from another festival, Celebrate Thanksgiv-
variety. You can use brown ing with the fruits of your
paper lunch bags to collect labor and appreciate your
pollen from the tassels of the rich American heritagel
desired variety.

24. For More Information
So- Gathering Folklore from Elderly Contam
Persons, (Part of the M i AARP Program Resources
Converse. Harriet Maxwell. M u t o , MichaelJ., and Joseph
Gerontological Imtirute's Guide DeptIDl
Myths and LegwPds o the New
f Bruchac K e e p m of rhe hnh:
on Aging which describes F.O. Box 19269,StafIon R
Yark lmqmk. New York State N a m American Storksand methods for collecting folklom Wdurlgton, DC 2 0 6
03
Museum and Science 5m-k hvikmment&/ActIvItles lor
and gives tips for intenriewing
Bulletin 1% Albany, MY.: ChiIdren. Golden. Coto,: Fulcrum, Steppi* Into the Past: &H
elderly people.)
University of the State o New
f I n c , rgBB,lg89. -1 DweIopnl?nt Special
Ywk December 1 I@.5 CQntact:
h f e r e ~ ProJect. (A
t 4-H
Caduto, Michael J., and Joseph Extemim Publications
Fenton, William N., ed. Parkw on member's guide that gives
Bruchac. 1996. Nattve Amertcan 2800 MacGuire Boulevard
r Impis, S y m u s c . N.Y.:
k valuable tips on how to
Gardening: Stories, PmJectsand Unlverslty of Miswuri
Sy*lcuse University Press, 1968. interview older adults; good for
Recipes for Families. Golden. Cdumbia. MO b y i t
children q years and older.)
tewandowskr, Steve. The Three Colo.: Fulcrum. This book bring 314-882-7216
stories and gardening together. Contact:
Sit=. In: IrPdian Com of the
Amerkss: Gift to the World. It focuses on planning and Indlan Cam oftheArnewas: Gift Charles Cox
Ivwthesstlndlsn ikarterly, pp. preparing the gaden site. to the World.Nonheast Indlen State 4-HProgram Specialist
41-45. Ithaca, N.Y.: Comell creating traditional native Quarterly,pp. 33-39. Ithaca, N.Y.: 205 Poultry Science Building
UniversityAmerican Indlan gardens, making crafts. and Comell University American Oktahoma State Univecslty
cookrng meals. Indian Program,spring/summer Stillwater, OK 74078-039
Program. sprrng/summer 1989.
199.
M . Pleasant,Jane.The lroquds
t CoolWnq Wrh the 7hme 5 ~ e r s . Wltson, Gilbert L &Malo B i d
Sustaine-Practices of a l o q Reclp bock available f r $3.00
o Oral History in Your Commu- WCnrnan'sGaden.St. h u l , Mhn.:
term Agriculture in the North- from the Frult and Vegmbk niry. Ohis guide gives detalled MlnnesouiHlstoriml Society
east. In: Indian Cam ofthe klence Department, IW Plant Instructions a b u t intervlewlng, Press. I*, (OrlQinalfypublished
-
Americas: Gift to the W .
& Science Bullding Cornell taping, and writing oral a s A ~ ~ 0 f ~ H i d a r n
Northe&st IrIdMrl Qlmrfet-iy,pp. Univemity, I t h a , NY 14853. histories. It is an excellent IIlGhR An Indian Intekpmta
33-39. Itham, N.Y.: Comell Cornelius, Carol. TAe Slx N a t W
resource for older children and r .
m1
UnMityAmerican Indian teachets!leadars.l
Swles. h h a c ~N.Y.: Cornell
, for ffie sheller:
Prosranlspsing/-m 1989- University Amerlcan Indian Contact: Rapld Hand Corn Sheller.
Parker,A. C I-& Uses of Program, 1990.(Both student and Carolynne M. Keiffer Operated by a hand crank has
Maize m 0 t hFood Plan&
i teacher guides are aval lable.) ( d o Dr. Leo Ctamm) self-contained clamps and
New Y w k State Museum Bulletin Missouri Gerontology quickly attaches to a wooden
Dennee, Joanne.Jack Peduui,
14. Albany, N.Y.: U r d m i t y of lnstlhfie box or barrel. Cob ejector and
Julia Hand, and Carolyn
the Smte of New Y k 1910.
m 404 Lwvls Hall ttpplng attachment are In-
Pedwi. 1996. I the 7?1n?e
n
Reprint. Ontario. Canada: Unkerslty of Mlsswri cluded. For more information,
Sjstecz Garden: Natlve
w a f t s Ltd., 1983. Columbia. MO 6pi1 get a catalog from the
Stories and Seammi ActiviW
Cumberland General Store. 4
f r the C~wmus
o Udd. Dubuque, Rmjnimwce: Findng Meaning Highway 68. Crossville. Tenn.
Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Thts in Memories. (Developed by the
comprehensive manual Intre 38555.1-800-334-4640.
Arnerlcan Assoclatlon of Retired
duces children t h e nVee
o Pwsons (AARPI, these project
Slstefs through year-kny materials include essays and
actMties. There are stories, articles about the benefits of
pmr
o . aaivitie.
and reminiscing with elders.
Included are sections that teach
visiting, interviewing, and
listening sWlls. leebreaken and
exercises are also outlined in
the leader's guide. These
materials are supplemented
with slides and a
13-minuteaudiocassette.)

25. The Three Sisters: Exploring an Iroquois Garden
Member Evaluation
As a 4-H member, you've become an expert on good ways to learn about subjects that Interest you and about activities that
are both fun and educational. Please answer the following quatiom to help us understand what you learned and enjoyed.
We value your Input!
I. What are the Three Sism?
z What do you feel you've learned by participating in the Three Sisters project? Please h e c k all that apply.
I I I-learnedabout nadve culture.
n I l e a d to appreciate plants and rood from another culture.
I learned to p m r e a f d .
n I learned about diversity and why It is Important,
r'l I planned and carried out an activlty.
I ; I better understand what is n d d to plan and plant a garden.
3. List three things that you learned a b u t Iroquois culture that you didn't know befm.
4 Can you name at least three types ofcorn?
5 Could you name these three ~jpes corn before you did the Three Sisters project?
of
6. Can you draw ~e 7 m Sisters?
h

26. 7. What is diversity?
8. Can you name one way that diversity relates to the Three Sisters?
9. What ideas did you learn from the Three Sisters that you could use to develop into a report or topic for a
publlc presentarion?
10. Do you have a favorite crop of the Three Sisters? If so, why is it ywr Famite?
II What was your favorite activity? What did you like about It, and what did you learn from it?
rz. I there anything else about the Three Sisters project that you would like to comment on?
s