Elders Lodge Elders Lodge GardenGarden20052005

asehmaa (tobacco), corn, asehmaa (tobacco), corn, beans, squash, radishes, beans, squash, radishes,

tomatoes, pepperstomatoes, peppers

Goal: revive traditional use Goal: revive traditional use and teachings of asehmaaand teachings of asehmaa

Asehmaa is the Asehmaa is the messengermessenger

that carries our words, that carries our words, thoughts, and prayers to thoughts, and prayers to

the creator.the creator.

Our prayers are powerful. Our prayers are powerful. Each day we offer asehmaaEach day we offer asehmaa

to the Gitchie Manitou, the to the Gitchie Manitou, the Mishomisanawn, and the Mishomisanawn, and the

Nokomisanawn.Nokomisanawn.

Our medicine plants Our medicine plants become stronger, our water become stronger, our water

cleaner andcleaner and

we continue to thrive as we continue to thrive as Anishinabe, Anishinabe,

the indigenous people of the indigenous people of this land.this land.

Our process for creating Our process for creating the garden:the garden:

1.1. Brainstormed potential locations – Elders LodgeBrainstormed potential locations – Elders Lodge2.2. Elders Lodge management approvedElders Lodge management approved3.3. Elder residents consultedElder residents consulted4.4. Garden space tilledGarden space tilled5.5. Rows and mounds createdRows and mounds created6.6. Compost collected and spread on gardenCompost collected and spread on garden7.7. Planting done by all volunteers with Elders presentPlanting done by all volunteers with Elders present8.8. WeedingWeeding9.9. Fence installedFence installed10.10. WeedingWeeding11.11. HarvestingHarvesting

**continued watering and love by Elder residents**continued watering and love by Elder residents

original Mohawk seeds original Mohawk seeds are now at:are now at:

Early morning of Early morning of plantingplanting

Earl and Ray ready to Earl and Ray ready to plantplant

Garden just before Garden just before plantingplanting

Additional garden for Additional garden for individual residentsindividual residents

Sharon explaining how Sharon explaining how its doneits done

This is how……This is how……

Grandmas begin Grandmas begin planting….planting….

Becky working hardBecky working hard

Everyone pitches inEveryone pitches in

Teamwork!Teamwork!

Be ready to get your Be ready to get your hands dirty!hands dirty!

Vegetables are plantedVegetables are planted

Asehmaa being carefully Asehmaa being carefully plantedplanted

It is very preciousIt is very precious

Sharon & Doreen sing the Sharon & Doreen sing the asehmaa songasehmaa song

Last row for plantingLast row for planting

Tip: use hay to keep the Tip: use hay to keep the weeds outweeds out

Look how beautifulLook how beautiful

If the rabbits are If the rabbits are feasting do thisfeasting do this

Tomato plantsTomato plants

The three sisters The three sisters moundsmounds

AsehmaaAsehmaa

Precious and so Precious and so beautiful!beautiful!

Do you know what this Do you know what this is?is?

Yummy!Yummy!

The endThe end

For more information contact:For more information contact:

Sharon Day at 612-870-1723 Sharon Day at 612-870-1723 ex 11ex 11