The Signs of Spring

 
As the grip of Winter passes, we cheer ourselves by looking for signs of Spring. Currently on the trails at Ganondagan...

• Coltsfoot is blooming their somewhat dandelion like flowers.

• The skunk cabbages have moved past their very alien-looking flowers to their rather attractive, yet pungent foliage. 

•  The willows have moved past the fuzzy soft catkins of the "pussy willow" and into the next flowering stage. (See the picture to the right.)

•  Maples are blooming. 

• The earliest  "spring ephemerals," like trillium, are just starting to appear.

• And bird song fills the air!

What signs of Spring are showing at your place?


-kim

Arvel Bird's Animal Totem & Music Circle Workshops

For those who already are fans of award-winning Native American musician Arvel Bird or if you're curious to learn about Native American animal totems and music circles, check out two opportunities we're offering to participate hands-on with Arvel in a drumming and/or flute circle. You're encouraged to bring a percussion instrument or flute for the themed workshop, and if you don't have an instrument, or don't know how to play, no problem! Wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat or blanket and come anyway.

The first half of each workshop will focus on how indigenous tribes used animal “medicine” or “wisdom,” and how—through Arvel’s guided meditation—individuals can learn to find and connect with their power animal. He promises the music circles to be a "fun and healing time to connect to the Creator with movement and rhythm."

As there's a lot of local interest in Arvel, we're encouraging pre-registration by April 1 for the following Friends of Ganondagan-sponsored events:

• Saturday, April 9 from 1-3 pm, “Animal Totems and Drumming Circle Workshop”
• Thursday, April 14 from 7-9 pm, “Animal Totems and Flute Circle Workshop”
  

Both workshops will take place at the Quaker Meetinghouse (workshops not affiliated with the Quakers), at 84 Scio Street, corner of Scio and Charlotte.

To register, or for more information, visit www.ganondagan.org/programs/ArvelBird.html or call
585-742-1690.

And, as an extra incentive, our Friends of Ganondagan (FoG) members receive a $2 discount off the ticket price for Arvel ’s April 17 violin and flute concert with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra (David Fetler conducting) at 3:00 pm at the Hochstein Performance Hall. To receive this discount, FoG members should call Julie Doescher at the RCO Box Office, 585-442-9778. Arvel will premiere The Path Made of Rainbow, a work he wrote for the RCO and the Bach Children’s Chorus, which describes the Paiute story of how the Grand Canyon came to be.

Friends of Ganondagan is making some of Arvel's recordings available for purchase. Click here.

Hope to see you!

A sweet treat

With it being the mid-February holiday of St. Valentine's Day, we thought we would share a sweet treat with you. We've added a recipe for Strawberry Pan Cake to our recipe page. If you don't already have a gift for the one close to your heart,  this homemade dessert may show them how much you care.

Of note, the recipe we are sharing came from the book Enduring Harvests by E. Barrie Kavasch. This is a terrific book filled with Native American recipes. The book is organized by seasons and festivals. The recipes are from many different Nations and feature a variety of indigenous foods. Various anecdotes and history accompany each recipe. What a great way to learn the culture, history, and tastes of Turtle Island! Purchase your copy of this book by clicking the link included...

Of note, Winter has been bitter as of late. But the signs of Spring have already started to show. Warm weather birds have been seen and heard. May we hope for an early and gentle Spring!

-kim

Botanical Medicine Certificate Program

Our good friend Dr. Les Moore is offering the next part of his Botanical Medicine Certificate Program. This program is an excellent way to learn more about medicinal plants and their usage. Check the information below for course and registration details. Please contact Classical Formulas with any questions you might have.

I've included a link to my favorite reference book on the medicinal plants that grow wild in this area, A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs: Of Eastern and Central North America (Peterson Field Guide). May you enjoy it as much as I have!

-kim


Botanical Medicine Certificate Program

Medical Herbalism Part II
January 20 – February 17, 2011  

Medicinal Calendula

This Course is the second in a series of three herbal study programs to be offered at Clifton Springs Hospital through the Integrative Medicine department, The Botanical Medicine Institute, and Classical Formulas. While each series has a similar format, they will contain different information. These classes are appropriate for health care providers, people employed in health related businesses or anyone interested in Herbalism.

Dr. Moore and herbalists from Classical Formulas Herbal Medicinary will instruct these classes.  Dr. Moore has a life-long interest and extensive education in the field of Herbalism, both Western and Eastern.

You may register for the whole series or at the beginning of each class.  Students may begin ANY series at ANY time with no prerequisites of the previous series. Each series is a stand-alone module.  Students completing all three of the series (Parts I, II & III) will receive a certificate upon course completion.  To be certain you have a place in class please register early, as class size is limited.

Tuition is $120 or $20 per class. Contact Classical Formulas for Registration at 315-462-0190 by January 18th.

Female Gingko Tree w/nuts
(Highland Park)

PLEASE NOTE: All classes are held on Thursdays at Clifton Springs Hospital from 6:30-8:30 pm with the exception of the herb walk on Saturday January 29th, 2011 held at Lamberton Conservatory at 10:00am.

Course Descriptions

Class 1 – Botanical Medicine/Single Herbs–January 20th, 2011
Learn about herbs and homeopathy used for stress, immune stimulation and for combating specifically colds and influenza. Will also cover single herbs for traditional Indian medicine, (Ayurvedic Medicine).

Class 2 – Herb Pairs/Drug Interaction and Materia Medica for Children – January 27th, 2011
This class will focus on paired herbs that are therapeutic for specific conditions.  Information on interactions that can occur between medicines and herbs will also be discussed as well as herbal dosages for children. Will also cover Ayurvedic herbs for children.

Class 3 – Plant Identification/Herb Walk – January 29th, 2011

Native medicinal - Pokeweed

This class will be a 3+ hour walk to identify plants in the Lamberton Conservatory located in Highland Park.  This is essentially a green house so temperature will be comfortable without a heavy jacket.

Class 4 – Herbal Medicine Making – February 3rd, 2011
Learn how herbs are used to create various herbal therapeutics.  Participate in some hands on preparation of herbal formulas.

Class 5 – Herbal Formulas/Modifications – February 10th, 2011
This class will focus on herbal formulas and how the herbs in each formulas work on the body and how they can be modified to fit a specific condition or person.  Discussion of how the pulse and tongue can be used to diagnose a condition.  Will also cover Ayurvedic herbal formulas.

Class 6 – Homeopathy and First Aid – February 17th, 2011
Learn how homeopathic remedies are used for first aid, and many other conditions.  Will also cover first aid from Ayurvedic medicine.

Welcoming the Green into Your Life

As I look out my window, I see the snow softly falling. It has snowed all day and has left our Mother Earth covered in a blanket of pure, unblemished white. Some find this cold season dismal and depressing. I don't. I know the Earth needs this quiet season to rest and I also know that many of our most beloved native plants and wildflowers need the conditions of the season so their seeds will germinate.

Native Corn Variety - Dakota Black Popcorn

But most of all, this time of the year is one in which I dream of warm sunny days and my fingers working the dark, rich earth. Yes, I am a gardener, a lover of green growing things, and a tender of the soil. Winter is a terrific time for planning gardens and starting seeds. I know my own mailbox has blossomed with all manner of seed, plant, and gardening catalogs.

January is often a time of new promises and goals for the year. I encourage everyone to add planting a garden this year to your list of 2011 goals. For those with health goals this year, please know that gardening is a terrific activity for your health - see an article I wrote here on this topic. Gardening also allows you to reconnect to millennia-old traditions of sowing seeds, tending the soil, and partaking of the fruits of your labor - whether you be a gardener of flowers, herbs, or vegetables. To help you in this endeavor, I'll share some of my favorite sources with you. All of these places have online store fronts and many have print catalogs free upon request.

My best wishes for you in 2011. May you find beauty, joy, happiness, and peace in your gardens and may that extend to the rest of your life. Namaste.

-kim


Vegetables/Food Crops

Heirloom Tomatoes from my 2010 garden

Nothing is better than a tomato fresh from the garden, still warm from the sun's kiss that is sprinkled with a little sea salt. And so I encourage everyone to grow their own foods. Many food plants are ornamental in their own right and can easily slip into your flower beds if you do not have dedicated vegetable spaces. I also encourage everyone to seek out heirloom/heritage seeds, some of which are of direct Native origins. These are wonderful and tasty departures from the bland and tasteless vegetables that crowd grocery shelves. They will certainly be at home in your 3-Sister Garden.

Abundant Life Seeds - Organic and biodynamic vegetable seeds
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - One of my favorite heirloom seed sources. Some Native varieties. The owners of Baker Creek recently bought the historic Comstock Seeds company.
Comstock Seeds - A 200 year old tradition of selling seeds being relaunched by new owners (website coming soon)
Johnny's Selected Seeds - A wide range of vegetable and herb seed. No genetically modified seed.
Miller Nurseries - A local company that specializes in fruit tree, shrubs, and plants. Get a variety of plants and varieties including strawberries and blueberries here.
Pinetree Garden Seeds - A favorite place to get not only a wide range of vegetable varieties but a place to get small amounts of seed for a small price which is a wonderful way to test out a variety
Raintree Nursery - All manner of fruit-bearing plants and trees are available here including juneberries, strawberries, and blueberries
Seed Savers - Heirloom vegetable seeds incl. some Native varieties
Seeds of Change - Organic vegetable, flower, and herb seed. Some Native varieties like the Dakota Black Popcorn I grew last year.
Territorial Seed Company - A wide range of heirloom, open pollinated, and hybrid vegetable varieties. No genetically modified or treated seed.
Totally Tomato - Can't find a particular tomato or pepper variety elsewhere? Find it here.
Terroir Seeds - Heirloom and open-pollinated seeds including the Cherokee "White Eagle" corn I grew in 2009. This special seed made the trip over the Trail of Tears.

Herbs/Medicinal Plants

White Baneberry - Poisonous & medicinal

Whether the herbs you grow are to season your food in the kitchen or are to keep you healthy, these are powerful members of the plant kingdom. Last week I had the pleasure to catch the podcast "Bringing Seeds to the People" by Richo Cech Herbalist and owner of Horizon Herbs. That combined along the current book I'm reading, Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native American Herbalism by Stephen Buhner has re-energized my desire to plant medicinal plants this season.

Horizon Herbs - Medicinal plants and seeds of many herbal traditions
Nichols Garden Nusery - A nice selection of culinary herb and vegetable seed
Richters - A wonderful source for medicinal plants of all sorts from nearby Toronto

Flower Gardening

I don't do much ornamental gardening these days but I do always slip some flowers into the vegetable beds to attract pollinators.

Select Seeds - Get antique flower seeds from this company including some of my favorite poppy varieties

Native Plants

Joe Pye Weed - A native beauty

I can't stress enough how important it is to welcome these plants into your life and gardens. Many have become rare in their native ranges. These plants are ideally suited to our growing conditions and they offer beauty, balanced habitats, medicines, and more. See plantnative.org for more details about growing native plants.

Forest Farm - While shipping from the westcoast is costly, this is a wonderful place to find many hard to find plants, trees, and shrubs.
Musser Forests - A nice place to get many native trees and shrubs in small amounts or quantity in nearby Pennsylvania
Prairie Moon Nursery - One of the best native plant and seed sources around.

Return of the Sun

Winter Sun at Fort Hill (Ganondagan)

It seems as though it was only yesterday that I was writing about the great wheel of the year turning and I was looking forward to the summer solstice. Now the winter solstice is nearly upon us and it is clear, the wheel certainly doesn't stop nor slow for anyone.

The winter solstice is the longest night of the year and it is also the day that marks the return of the sun - a time when our daylight hours will again begin to grow. At first the lengthening of our daylight is imperceptible. But with time it grows and in only 3 short months it is the spring equinox and the earth has begun to warm enough that the first signs of the approaching spring may be seen.

And so I suppose it is only right that this very special time of the year has traditionally been filled with sacred observances and as well as festivals of light in many cultures across the globe and throughout the centuries. I've included a few links to various observances, solstice information, and stories of the sun coming to the world below.

In looking for information to share, I came across a quote from Dante's Paradiso, "la luce divina e penetrante per l’universo secondo ch’e degno.” Translated it means, “the divine light penetrates the universe according to its dignity.” Divine light penetrating the universe - I can think of no better way to describe the return of the sun.

-kim

For more please see,

• Native Story (Haida) - How Raven Brought Light to the World
• Native Story (Zuni) - Coyote Steals the Sun and Moon
• Native Story (Cherokee) - Stealing the Sun
• 5000 year celestial calendar marks the winter solstice Newgrange, Ireland
• Sun Lore of the Ages - Solar Festivals
• Hawaiian Story - How Maui Snared the Sun
• Winter Holidays Celebrating the Solstice
• Information about the solstice as well as a couple dozen worldwide solstice celebrations

Canandaigua Treaty Keynote Speaker Oren Lyons

When I first heard that Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, would be the keynote speaker at this year's commemoration on Thursday, November 11 of the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794, it brought back my first experience hearing this quietly charismatic and visionary man. In the summer of 1991, I happened to catch Oren's interview with PBS television host Bill Moyers. I was taken with Oren's tremendous historical knowledge and perspective, his awareness of the importance of bringing the past into the present with consideration for the future, and of his tremendous sense of responsibility in his role as Faithkeeper. (A year later, he addressed the General Assembly of the United Nation, where he opened the International Year of the World's Indigenous People.)

It is remarkable that one man has done so much for so many. The awards he's received for his range of accomplishments is stunning: the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor; the National Audubon Award; the Earth Day International Award of the United Nations; the Elder and Wiser Award from the Rosa Parks Institute for Human Rights; and the Universal Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations.

As if that's not enough for one man, this author, artist, and professor also received an Honorary Doctor of Law from Syracuse University, and was an All-American lacrosse player at S.U., receiving Man of the Year in Lacrosse by the NCAA.

So, on Thursday, November 11, I'll be there at the 216th commemoration of the Canandaigua Treaty between the Six Nations and the United States, rededicating the agreement that secures perpetual peace and friendship between the two. And I'll be grabbing a front-row seat to hear Oren. Hope you'll be there too for what I know will be an unforgettable experience.