SEPTEMBER 2012 HOW DOES KORI S GARDEN GROW?

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1 L A G U N A D E P A R T M E N T O F E D U C A T I O N News UUBEETANNI Fall is nearing and soon the harvest season will begin. This issue is therefore dedicated to the season. SEPTEMBER 2012 Community Garden We need the help of passionate gardeners to pass on the love of gardening to future generations because without people like Kori, the heritage of this skill could be lost forever. HOW DOES KORI S GARDEN GROW? Three Sisters Corn, beans, and squash are three inseparable sisters who only grow and thrive together. This tradition of interplanting corn, beans and squash in the same mounds is widespread among Native American farming societies; it is a sophisticated, sustainable system that provided longterm soil fertility and a healthy diet to generations. Growing a Three Sisters garden is a wonderful way to feel more connected to the history of this land, regardless of our ancestry. Kori Marmon is a Pueblo of Laguna tribal member who is passionate about the plants and vegetables she grows. She talks to them, nurtures them and shares them with all. Including the animals; all she asks is that they take only what they need. The traditional Three Sisters garden forms an ecosystem by creating a community of plants and animals. This system creates a beneficial relationship among the three plants; they are Corn grows taller than beans or squash and can provide shade and support for the other plants. planted together and each plant helps the others grow. As corn reaches for the sun, beans may grow up the strong stalks and the necessity of building a support system or frame is reduced. One must plant corn some distance apart, leaving the ground bare; however, planting squash between the rows of corn reduces soil moisture loss as the squash foliage acts as a natural mulch; reducing soil

2 Community Garden Cont d... temperatures and helping to "hold" moisture in the soil where it may be used by the plants and not lost to the atmosphere. Finally, beans have the unique capability of being able to "fix" atmospheric nitrogen, pulling it from the air and improving soil nitrogen status; essentially, "fertilizing" the other two sisters. Agricultural practices were once the foundation of Laguna s economy, however that began to decline with the discovery of uranium and the subsequent decision to mine it in the early 50s. This past summer Kori worked hard to get community members interested in planting a community garden; not the commonly known garden of flowers, but a garden that would teach cultural significance, provide fresh produce to tribal members and help families develop a healthier lifestyle. Kori called the garden Seven Arrows ; she stated, Through illumination, introspection and innocence we want to create balance, teach earnest communication and share knowledge while gardening; so that we may all prosper in harmonic resonance. Below is a picture of the land being prepared for the garden, which is located in Paraje. Even the children got into the idea of gardening...literally into it. Kori loves talking about gardening she recently provided a workshop during one of the Division of Early Childhood center s Family Night activities and soon she will be talking to them about winter gardening. WANT TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH YOUR STUDENTS? Have discussions on what are some traditional crops grown in New Mexico? 1. How do the traditional cultures (Native American, Hispanic, Anglo-American) of New Mexico celebrate harvest? 2. What are some of the similarities and differences between these celebrations? 3. There are a number of pueblos and reservations in New Mexico. Describe some of Native American harvest celebrations. 4. How did the early Anglo settlers celebrate harvest? Did some of their traditions come from other cultures? 5. What contributions do the migrant workers bring to harvests? 6. Collect some harvest stories from each major culture in New Mexico. New Mexico State University 2

3 Laguna Indians threshing and winnowing wheat at the pueblo town of Paquate, New Mexico, ca.1900 University of Southern California Historical Society Collection Photograph of a group of Laguna Indians threshing and winnowing wheat at the pueblo town of Paquate, New Mexico, ca Two men and six children standing at right look on as two men with pitchforks toss wheat into the air. The two men are inside an area fenced by a rough wood post and rail fence. A large pile of wheat sits in a wagon at left. Other spectators are visible further back (center). Dwellings of the pueblo are visible in the background. 3

4 YOU ARE INVITED! PLEASE JOIN US TO CELEBRATE OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15, :00 3:00PM LAGUNA MIDDLE SCHOOL NORTH PARKING LOT FOOD, MUSIC, FUN

5 Birthdays & Anniversaries Due to circumstances beyond our control we are unable to provide names and dates of employee s names and dates but to all those celebrating... Go, Go, Go, Go, Go, Go, Go Shorty It's you're birthday We gonna party like It's you're birthday