Definitely had my fill of work with 12 hr-days last week on my first ‘real’ fires. Came home and this sweet goober is swimming like a little otter! Such a brave and funny pup. Lots of treats and encouragement, and he got in there in his own time. rosevalleywhiteshepherds . . . #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuise #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #haku #dragondog #dogsofinstagram #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #dugouthangout #4thsisterfarm
A conscientious Land Steward observes, and adjusts. Here you can see that we’re not the only ones who love to munch on native speqpeq7úw̓i (Saskatoons). Looks like I’ll be trying my hand at vegetative propagation this spring, as well as seed dispersal in the fall, to ensure there’s plenty to go around! 💜🦌 . . . #indigenouslandstewardship #landsteward #saskatoons #ungulates #secwepemc #secwepemctsín #berries #languagelearner #foraging #sharingiscaring #4thsisterfarm
Haku McGrew! 7 months old, 63lbs, and slowly learning to swim on his own happy terms! (Mostly wading and stealing sticks from Ollie). Dugout swims are the best after a long day at work. Green up is happening, buds are popping! . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #bergerblancsuisse #whiteswissshepherd #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #farmdog #haku #dragondog #4thsisterfarm
My favorite time of the year, seed saving and taste testing! Here is one of the smaller Gete Okosomin squashes. I roasted half, and dried half. Surprisingly super sweet when raw, it was quite pleasant. Roasted flesh went on to become a rich soup with roasted tomatoes and garlic, all from the garden. Seeds we’re entrusted in my care by my Mentor Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand, who I believe got them from winonaladuke 💛🧡 . . . #squash #geteokosomin #miamitribe #metisseeds #indigenousseedkeepers #indigenousfood #indigenousfoodsovereignty #zone2gardening #4thsisterfarm
Stark reminder: Uninterrupted Wildlife/Freerange Flock…pick 1. Tough to be upset, when mamma fox has babies to feed. It still stings, and I’ll be assessing how we proceed with the birds. After all, the fox family was here first. . . . #landsteward #indigenouslandstewardship #chickensofinstagram #fox #predatorspecies #4thsisterfarm
Sep 2: I’ve been trying to grow upland rice, in various ways, for 4 years now. This was the year! Kyzyl Shala, upland rice grown in zone 2b in unheated greenhouse. Next year, outside field adaptation. . . . #uplandrice #rice #kyzylshalauplandrice #northerngrowing #zone2growing #indigenousseedsteward #foodsecurity #foodsovereignty #northernadaptation #seeds #iamaseedsaver #northernrice #garden #climateadaptation #4thsisterfarm
Sep 25: Tater Dig Tough season with record high temps and a cheeky vole filling his larder faster than I could dig! But, I managed to get a few really nice clean and colourful tubers to play with next year. All but 1 variety grown from tubers that began as TPS (True Potato Seed) last year. 💜 . . . #potato #potatoes #truepotatoseed #plantbreeding #indigenousfarming #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #iamaseedsaver #4thsisterfarm
Haku McGrew! 7 months old, 63lbs, and slowly learning to swim on his own happy terms! (Mostly wading and stealing sticks from Ollie). Dugout swims are the best after a long day at work. Green up is happening, buds are popping! . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #bergerblancsuisse #whiteswissshepherd #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #farmdog #haku #dragondog #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
Stark reminder: Uninterrupted Wildlife/Freerange Flock…pick 1. Tough to be upset, when mamma fox has babies to feed. It still stings, and I’ll be assessing how we proceed with the birds. After all, the fox family was here first. . . . #landsteward #indigenouslandstewardship #chickensofinstagram #fox #predatorspecies #4thsisterfarm
Haku McGrew! 7 months old, 63lbs, and slowly learning to swim on his own happy terms! (Mostly wading and stealing sticks from Ollie). Dugout swims are the best after a long day at work. Green up is happening, buds are popping! . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #bergerblancsuisse #whiteswissshepherd #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #farmdog #haku #dragondog #4thsisterfarm
Definitely had my fill of work with 12 hr-days last week on my first ‘real’ fires. Came home and this sweet goober is swimming like a little otter! Such a brave and funny pup. Lots of treats and encouragement, and he got in there in his own time. rosevalleywhiteshepherds . . . #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuise #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #haku #dragondog #dogsofinstagram #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #dugouthangout #4thsisterfarm
Definitely had my fill of work with 12 hr-days last week on my first ‘real’ fires. Came home and this sweet goober is swimming like a little otter! Such a brave and funny pup. Lots of treats and encouragement, and he got in there in his own time. rosevalleywhiteshepherds . . . #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuise #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #haku #dragondog #dogsofinstagram #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #dugouthangout #4thsisterfarm
Quiet rest time of winter, means tending to seeds who have been drying since harvest. Not much to say, except I’m loving the process of reflecting on the cycles of the seeds. These are Madras Podding Radish, selected over many generations to be enjoyed for their silques (pods), instead of their roots. I welcomed this guest to our gardens, as she attracted countless pollinators, and provided a few crisp additions to salads. . . . #radish #seeds #seedsaving #seedstewards #slowfood #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #zone2gardening #garden #pollinators #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
My favorite time of the year, seed saving and taste testing! Here is one of the smaller Gete Okosomin squashes. I roasted half, and dried half. Surprisingly super sweet when raw, it was quite pleasant. Roasted flesh went on to become a rich soup with roasted tomatoes and garlic, all from the garden. Seeds we’re entrusted in my care by my Mentor Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand, who I believe got them from winonaladuke 💛🧡 . . . #squash #geteokosomin #miamitribe #metisseeds #indigenousseedkeepers #indigenousfood #indigenousfoodsovereignty #zone2gardening #4thsisterfarm
Definitely had my fill of work with 12 hr-days last week on my first ‘real’ fires. Came home and this sweet goober is swimming like a little otter! Such a brave and funny pup. Lots of treats and encouragement, and he got in there in his own time. rosevalleywhiteshepherds . . . #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuise #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #haku #dragondog #dogsofinstagram #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #dugouthangout #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
Stark reminder: Uninterrupted Wildlife/Freerange Flock…pick 1. Tough to be upset, when mamma fox has babies to feed. It still stings, and I’ll be assessing how we proceed with the birds. After all, the fox family was here first. . . . #landsteward #indigenouslandstewardship #chickensofinstagram #fox #predatorspecies #4thsisterfarm
Haku McGrew! 7 months old, 63lbs, and slowly learning to swim on his own happy terms! (Mostly wading and stealing sticks from Ollie). Dugout swims are the best after a long day at work. Green up is happening, buds are popping! . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #bergerblancsuisse #whiteswissshepherd #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #farmdog #haku #dragondog #4thsisterfarm
Definitely had my fill of work with 12 hr-days last week on my first ‘real’ fires. Came home and this sweet goober is swimming like a little otter! Such a brave and funny pup. Lots of treats and encouragement, and he got in there in his own time. rosevalleywhiteshepherds . . . #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuise #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #haku #dragondog #dogsofinstagram #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #dugouthangout #4thsisterfarm
Stark reminder: Uninterrupted Wildlife/Freerange Flock…pick 1. Tough to be upset, when mamma fox has babies to feed. It still stings, and I’ll be assessing how we proceed with the birds. After all, the fox family was here first. . . . #landsteward #indigenouslandstewardship #chickensofinstagram #fox #predatorspecies #4thsisterfarm
The many phases of Moro’s Love Language. . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #barncatsofinstagram #moro #morowolfgod #siblinglove #4thsisterfarm
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… 11 years old today: Mr. Bear, Oll-Bear, Ollie Wolly, Stinker, Old Manny. All who know him, know of his incredible snugs when having sleepovers, and just how caring and special he is. Happy Earthside Day, Big Guy!!! . . . #dogsofinstagram #dogsarefamily #dogsareagirlsbestfriend #bestbuddies #lab #labshepherdmix #birthdaypup #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
Quiet rest time of winter, means tending to seeds who have been drying since harvest. Not much to say, except I’m loving the process of reflecting on the cycles of the seeds. These are Madras Podding Radish, selected over many generations to be enjoyed for their silques (pods), instead of their roots. I welcomed this guest to our gardens, as she attracted countless pollinators, and provided a few crisp additions to salads. . . . #radish #seeds #seedsaving #seedstewards #slowfood #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #zone2gardening #garden #pollinators #4thsisterfarm
Stark reminder: Uninterrupted Wildlife/Freerange Flock…pick 1. Tough to be upset, when mamma fox has babies to feed. It still stings, and I’ll be assessing how we proceed with the birds. After all, the fox family was here first. . . . #landsteward #indigenouslandstewardship #chickensofinstagram #fox #predatorspecies #4thsisterfarm
Sep 25: Tater Dig Tough season with record high temps and a cheeky vole filling his larder faster than I could dig! But, I managed to get a few really nice clean and colourful tubers to play with next year. All but 1 variety grown from tubers that began as TPS (True Potato Seed) last year. 💜 . . . #potato #potatoes #truepotatoseed #plantbreeding #indigenousfarming #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #iamaseedsaver #4thsisterfarm
Sep 2: I’ve been trying to grow upland rice, in various ways, for 4 years now. This was the year! Kyzyl Shala, upland rice grown in zone 2b in unheated greenhouse. Next year, outside field adaptation. . . . #uplandrice #rice #kyzylshalauplandrice #northerngrowing #zone2growing #indigenousseedsteward #foodsecurity #foodsovereignty #northernadaptation #seeds #iamaseedsaver #northernrice #garden #climateadaptation #4thsisterfarm
Reflecting on the last week, and realizing what a whirlwind it’s been for my ‘rest’ days post-Wildfire contract. I’ve been taking in many panels and webinars for seed and food/social justice and sovereignty, and am truly feeling the ‘zoom fatigue’ setting in. So what a nice little treat to see the article I was interviewed for in modfarm alongside some fierce and beautiful humans: ladyjnunu liz.charlebois and even my Dear Mentor rowenwhite. I made sure to throw in a shoutout to the amazing work being done by our friends at sovereignseedsnetwork. It still feels a bit surreal to have my voice shared with these people I look up to and consider as leaders in this work we do. But this is a shared movement we are working towards, in helping our respective communities and ensuring seed diversity for future generations. I spent time this weekend also breaking down squash and harvesting our red wattle pigs on-farm, readying them for the gov-inspected butcher. We typically have to load them live, but it’s extremely stressful on everyone, so it was decided that this was the most humane way since they’re for personal use. So I sit with feelings of grief, but with also a heart full of thanks and gratitude for the food sovereignty that continues to guide my way. Link to the full article below and in my bio! https://modernfarmer.com/2020/11/the-seed-saving-descendants/ . . . #foodsovereignty #indigenousseedkeepers #secwepemc #seedsteward #iamaseedsaver #seedseva #indigenousfoodsovereignty #indigenousfarmers #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
Stark reminder: Uninterrupted Wildlife/Freerange Flock…pick 1. Tough to be upset, when mamma fox has babies to feed. It still stings, and I’ll be assessing how we proceed with the birds. After all, the fox family was here first. . . . #landsteward #indigenouslandstewardship #chickensofinstagram #fox #predatorspecies #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
Jun 18: Native Flowers It’s taken many years, but the Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), is now taking off, creating a gorgeous and rich blanket on the north side. Thank you so much to my pal, kierstin_jai for playing along, helping me collect and broadcast seeds for hours. 💙 This years project, is going to involve carefully bringing native nitrogen-fixing vetches and sprawling ground covers closer to the home gardens, including the sweety in photo 3: Twin Flower (linnaea borealis). Looking forward to encouraging even more native pollinators into our lives. . . . #nativeplants #boreal #nativeseeds #nativespecies #indigenousgarden #northerngarden #4thsisterfarm
Sep 25: Tater Dig Tough season with record high temps and a cheeky vole filling his larder faster than I could dig! But, I managed to get a few really nice clean and colourful tubers to play with next year. All but 1 variety grown from tubers that began as TPS (True Potato Seed) last year. 💜 . . . #potato #potatoes #truepotatoseed #plantbreeding #indigenousfarming #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #iamaseedsaver #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
The many phases of Moro’s Love Language. . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #barncatsofinstagram #moro #morowolfgod #siblinglove #4thsisterfarm
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… 11 years old today: Mr. Bear, Oll-Bear, Ollie Wolly, Stinker, Old Manny. All who know him, know of his incredible snugs when having sleepovers, and just how caring and special he is. Happy Earthside Day, Big Guy!!! . . . #dogsofinstagram #dogsarefamily #dogsareagirlsbestfriend #bestbuddies #lab #labshepherdmix #birthdaypup #4thsisterfarm
I’ve been longing to grow and taste more of my traditional Secwepémc foods and medicines, so decided this winter to embark on the adventure. These are the epitome of ‘slow foods’, seeds that require periods of cold/moist, the warm/moist stratification, and a lot of patience and care. I’m (naturally) drawn to the root foods. Here is ckwelkwelús, or ‘Wapato’. . . . #secwepemc #secwepemcfoods #secwepemctsín #indigenousfoodways #indigenousseedsteward #indigenousstewardship #wapato #sagittarialatifolia #rootfoods #4thsisterfarm
My favorite time of the year, seed saving and taste testing! Here is one of the smaller Gete Okosomin squashes. I roasted half, and dried half. Surprisingly super sweet when raw, it was quite pleasant. Roasted flesh went on to become a rich soup with roasted tomatoes and garlic, all from the garden. Seeds we’re entrusted in my care by my Mentor Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand, who I believe got them from winonaladuke 💛🧡 . . . #squash #geteokosomin #miamitribe #metisseeds #indigenousseedkeepers #indigenousfood #indigenousfoodsovereignty #zone2gardening #4thsisterfarm
Sep 25: Tater Dig Tough season with record high temps and a cheeky vole filling his larder faster than I could dig! But, I managed to get a few really nice clean and colourful tubers to play with next year. All but 1 variety grown from tubers that began as TPS (True Potato Seed) last year. 💜 . . . #potato #potatoes #truepotatoseed #plantbreeding #indigenousfarming #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #iamaseedsaver #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
Keeping a pulse. After 23 straight days working my Wildfire job, my ‘rest’ days are now filled with observing the land. Last year we had poor pollination, this year we have had temperatures well above ‘normal’, resulting in berry bushes either not setting fruit or drying them right on the branches. Another year of zero harvests for the humans, and hoping there will be enough for the wild critters. With the mindset of stewardship over ego, I’ll be propagating more of these native species by both seed and cuttings. We are here as guests, it’s the very least we can do. . . . #landsteward #landstewardship #indigenouslandstewardship #nativespecies #secwepemc #wildfire #wildfireseason #womeninwildfire #berryseason #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
My favorite time of the year, seed saving and taste testing! Here is one of the smaller Gete Okosomin squashes. I roasted half, and dried half. Surprisingly super sweet when raw, it was quite pleasant. Roasted flesh went on to become a rich soup with roasted tomatoes and garlic, all from the garden. Seeds we’re entrusted in my care by my Mentor Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand, who I believe got them from winonaladuke 💛🧡 . . . #squash #geteokosomin #miamitribe #metisseeds #indigenousseedkeepers #indigenousfood #indigenousfoodsovereignty #zone2gardening #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
And we are forever grateful they kept going... I will be back Home again soon. “This is the way it started, three friends, all young men from Adams Lake were supposed to be going hunting for long periods of time. from Adams Lake they took an old trail along Seymour Arm, went across the Columbia River and made camp at Downie Creek. There they stayed and made a dugout canoe. From Downie Creek camp they sailed up the Columbia River. They came to a big lake, Kinbasket Lake. Although it was not named Kinbasket Lake at this time. They were away from their people for a long time and the weather was cold. It was time to go home. When they went home they told the people about their travels. A year or so later the same men were joined by two or three other young men from Chu Chua. One of these men was named Yelheelna Kinbasket, my great Grandfather. They went right over the mountains near Adams Lake and followed the lake where they made a dugout canoe and went right across the lake. They were really curious and were wondering what was up the river and on the other side of the Columbia Mountains so they kept going.” Excerpt from Great Grandma Elder Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart’s book ‘The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian Stories’ . . . #secwepemc #secwepemculecw #indigenousmigration #kinbasket #kinbasketlake #kootenays #columbiariver #ancestralland #indigenousstories #indigenousstorytelling #adamslake #homesick #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
I’ve been longing to grow and taste more of my traditional Secwepémc foods and medicines, so decided this winter to embark on the adventure. These are the epitome of ‘slow foods’, seeds that require periods of cold/moist, the warm/moist stratification, and a lot of patience and care. I’m (naturally) drawn to the root foods. Here is ckwelkwelús, or ‘Wapato’. . . . #secwepemc #secwepemcfoods #secwepemctsín #indigenousfoodways #indigenousseedsteward #indigenousstewardship #wapato #sagittarialatifolia #rootfoods #4thsisterfarm
Weyt-kp re7 stmét.s! Ancestral beans of my cousins, the Ktunaxa. Welcome to the beginning of year 3 away from your land and people. I promise to bring more of you back Home soon. 🧡 . . . #ktunaxa #ktunaxanation #ancestralfoodways #indigenousfood #secwepemc #indigenousseedsteward #indigenousfoods #beans #indigenousresistance #foodsovereignty #indigenousfoodsovereignty #indigenousseedsteward #indigenousseedsoveriegnty #iamaseedsaver #asmr #4thsisterfarm
Quiet rest time of winter, means tending to seeds who have been drying since harvest. Not much to say, except I’m loving the process of reflecting on the cycles of the seeds. These are Madras Podding Radish, selected over many generations to be enjoyed for their silques (pods), instead of their roots. I welcomed this guest to our gardens, as she attracted countless pollinators, and provided a few crisp additions to salads. . . . #radish #seeds #seedsaving #seedstewards #slowfood #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #zone2gardening #garden #pollinators #4thsisterfarm
Weyt-kp re7 stmét.s! Ancestral beans of my cousins, the Ktunaxa. Welcome to the beginning of year 3 away from your land and people. I promise to bring more of you back Home soon. 🧡 . . . #ktunaxa #ktunaxanation #ancestralfoodways #indigenousfood #secwepemc #indigenousseedsteward #indigenousfoods #beans #indigenousresistance #foodsovereignty #indigenousfoodsovereignty #indigenousseedsteward #indigenousseedsoveriegnty #iamaseedsaver #asmr #4thsisterfarm
My favorite time of the year, seed saving and taste testing! Here is one of the smaller Gete Okosomin squashes. I roasted half, and dried half. Surprisingly super sweet when raw, it was quite pleasant. Roasted flesh went on to become a rich soup with roasted tomatoes and garlic, all from the garden. Seeds we’re entrusted in my care by my Mentor Métis Seedkeeper Caroline Chartrand, who I believe got them from winonaladuke 💛🧡 . . . #squash #geteokosomin #miamitribe #metisseeds #indigenousseedkeepers #indigenousfood #indigenousfoodsovereignty #zone2gardening #4thsisterfarm
Sep 25: Tater Dig Tough season with record high temps and a cheeky vole filling his larder faster than I could dig! But, I managed to get a few really nice clean and colourful tubers to play with next year. All but 1 variety grown from tubers that began as TPS (True Potato Seed) last year. 💜 . . . #potato #potatoes #truepotatoseed #plantbreeding #indigenousfarming #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #iamaseedsaver #4thsisterfarm
Aug 14 Photo Dump Things are happening in the gardens! I’m to be on ‘days of rest’ from my Wildfire work, but it’s tough to turn off the radio (and my brain), with everything that’s happening around us. So I’m attempting to relax, and ‘Sober-Soothing’ with being on the land and in the soil. To think, we had frost this time the past 2 years!! . . . #garden #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #climatecrisis #climatechange #indigenouslandstewardship #secwepemc #sober #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #soberlife #wildfire #womeninwildfire #4thsisterfarm
Quiet rest time of winter, means tending to seeds who have been drying since harvest. Not much to say, except I’m loving the process of reflecting on the cycles of the seeds. These are Madras Podding Radish, selected over many generations to be enjoyed for their silques (pods), instead of their roots. I welcomed this guest to our gardens, as she attracted countless pollinators, and provided a few crisp additions to salads. . . . #radish #seeds #seedsaving #seedstewards #slowfood #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #zone2gardening #garden #pollinators #4thsisterfarm
He’s Home!! Welcome to the pack, Haku! He’s got extra back claws, and razor-sharp fangs, perfect name for a perfect little white dragon dog. I’m syncing up to his nap schedule, and the Beggy Dog Club is slowly welcoming him into the fold. It’ll be a process, but we’re so incredibly in love! Flynn Rider ‘Haku’ of Big Whites . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #bergerblancsuisse #whiteswissshepherd #whiteswissshepherdpuppy #puppiesofinstagram #shepherdsofinstagram #ancestraldog #spiritedaway #littledragon #4thsisterfarm
Nightshades 🖤❤️💜 A definite favourite family of plants and seeds to tend. So much colour, flavour, and diversity. I’ve been caring for quite a few different species over the years, most of which are now well adapted to our short growing season and nourish us deep into our long winter months. This was also the first year I really dove into the wonderful world of TPS (True Potato Seed). If you love variety, growing from TPS is a fun way to play. . . . nativefoodalliance #nafsaagfair #solenaceae #tomato #potato #peppers #seedadaptation #seedsteward #truepotatoseed #kenoshapotatoproject #iamaseedsaver #seedseva #rootcrop #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #4thsisterfarm
Sep 2: I’ve been trying to grow upland rice, in various ways, for 4 years now. This was the year! Kyzyl Shala, upland rice grown in zone 2b in unheated greenhouse. Next year, outside field adaptation. . . . #uplandrice #rice #kyzylshalauplandrice #northerngrowing #zone2growing #indigenousseedsteward #foodsecurity #foodsovereignty #northernadaptation #seeds #iamaseedsaver #northernrice #garden #climateadaptation #4thsisterfarm
Sep 13: When the frosts come, it’s time to assess, evaluate, harvest, and oftentimes mourn slightly. Apprenticing myself to seeds and the seasonal shifts is heavy work, but also so beautiful. These gems are Nanticoke Squash. A gorgeous c. maxima that has been grown and stewarded by the Kuskarawaok peoples for many generations. Being left to their own devices, these squash have crossed and thrived to create some of the most stunning diversity I’ve ever seen. More in the comments from experimentalfarmnetwork As we, and our climate, shift, let’s celebrate thriving in our diversity and resiliency. . . . #nanticoke #squash #wintersquash #diversity #seedsofchange #climatechangeisreal #landrace #indigenousseed #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #indigenousfood #4thsisterfarm
Sep 21: Pulling out some very late-planted tubers. Scab is a persistent issue here, so it was interesting to see that the Indigenous variety had none! Known as either ‘Makah Ozette’, ‘Haida’ or ‘Tlingit’ (last photo), this variety is thought to be one of the first potatoes stewarded here by Indigenous peoples in the PNW, and still is today! We will eat some of the scabbier tubers and plant the rest next year. I even tried replanting the original seed potato of the ‘Haida’, to see if they’ll come back next spring. We often get over-wintered potatoes here, even in zone 2, so I’m hopeful. As the climate shifts and changes around us, we have to be adaptable alongside our foods as well. . . . #potato #potatoes #indigenousroots #indigenousseedsteward #haida #tlingit #ozettepotatoes #foodsecurity #climatechaos #seedadaptation #4thsisterfarm
Sep 25: Tater Dig Tough season with record high temps and a cheeky vole filling his larder faster than I could dig! But, I managed to get a few really nice clean and colourful tubers to play with next year. All but 1 variety grown from tubers that began as TPS (True Potato Seed) last year. 💜 . . . #potato #potatoes #truepotatoseed #plantbreeding #indigenousfarming #indigenousfarmers #zone2gardening #garden #iamaseedsaver #4thsisterfarm
The many phases of Moro’s Love Language. . . . rosevalleywhiteshepherds #whiteswissshepherd #bergerblancsuisse #shepherdsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #barncatsofinstagram #moro #morowolfgod #siblinglove #4thsisterfarm
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… 11 years old today: Mr. Bear, Oll-Bear, Ollie Wolly, Stinker, Old Manny. All who know him, know of his incredible snugs when having sleepovers, and just how caring and special he is. Happy Earthside Day, Big Guy!!! . . . #dogsofinstagram #dogsarefamily #dogsareagirlsbestfriend #bestbuddies #lab #labshepherdmix #birthdaypup #4thsisterfarm
Quiet rest time of winter, means tending to seeds who have been drying since harvest. Not much to say, except I’m loving the process of reflecting on the cycles of the seeds. These are Madras Podding Radish, selected over many generations to be enjoyed for their silques (pods), instead of their roots. I welcomed this guest to our gardens, as she attracted countless pollinators, and provided a few crisp additions to salads. . . . #radish #seeds #seedsaving #seedstewards #slowfood #indigenousseedsteward #iamaseedsaver #zone2gardening #garden #pollinators #4thsisterfarm