Gdapnamen gété mno-wisnewen 

The Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi and the Great Lakes Lifeways Institute in partnership with the Native American Institute and MSU Extension are pleased to annouce an indepth weekend workshop on revitalizing access to traditional and healthy native foods.  Having healthy and sustainable food systems is both a critical part of tribal sovereignty and crucial to the health and well being of native families and communities.   Traditional food systems used for generations by native communities in the Great Lakes Region including foraging, hunting, fishing, permaculture and gardening have long provided a diverse and healthy diet.   These traditional practices sustainably balanced human needs with those of the local environment and brought communities and extended families together to meet common needs.  In today's world, the need to revitalize and build upon these traditional and sustainable practices is greater than ever.  This workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to share knowledge, learn traditional practices and discover effective food programs from a variety of tribes throughout the region.       

Saturday will be focused on wild food traditions.   Participants will join Daisy Kostus of the James Bay Cree for a trip to the woods and wetlands to learn about foraging, preparing and preserving wild foods. George Martin, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe elder, will present on traditional teachings and techniques for making Damnabo, corn soup prepared with wood ash.  Jonesy Miller, Menominee, will share on wild rice processing, and a teaching on preparing feast bundles will be given by Punkin Shananaquet of Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi. Saturday activities will conclude with a traditional feast. 

Sunday workshop activities will be focused on traditional and sustainable native gardening.   Ted Skenendan of the Tsunhehkwa Organic Farm, Oneida Nation with Jonesy Miller will lead participants through the process of planting a Three Sisters garden and constucting a hoop house.  A seed exchange will also be held, so bring seeds to share of you have them.

The cost of the workshop is $35 for one day or $50 for both days.   Registration cost includes lunches and Saturday evening feast and activities. 

The workshop will be held at Camp Jijak in Hopkins, Michigan, about midway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo off of US 131.  If you have any questions about the workshop or need to find local accommodations, please feel free to contact Kevin Finney:  616-644-3822.