Residents in the Kalamazoo area are being invited to help plant an Indigenous garden in Bronson Park. Kalamazoo in Bloom and the Gun Lake Tribe are organizing this planting series as part of the America250MI initiative.
The Three Sisters Garden is dedicated to commemorating the Neshnabék, the Indigenous communities who endured colonization, theft of land, language loss, and forced displacement at the same time the United States sought its own independence 250 years ago.
Rebecca Rupe, archives and collections coordinator for the Gun Lake Tribal Historic Preservation Office, explained the cultural significance of the project.
This collaborative garden is dedicated to commemorating our communities, the Neshnabék, who endure and endured colonization, theft of land, language, traditional lifeways, and forced removal and displacement at the same time that the United States sought its own independence and expansion of territory 250 years ago.
The Three Sisters refer to corn, squash, and beans. According to a release from the Gun Lake Tribe, these are Mdamenek, Kosman, and Kotthesek respectively.
The planting series is broken into three parts. The first planting of corn will take place on May 23. Squash planting will occur on May 30. The bean planting has not been announced yet.
The effort allows the Gun Lake Tribes Language and Culture Department, Tribal Historic Preservation Office, along with Gun Lake Tribes Youth to share the cultural knowledge behind the Three Sisters.
To achieve the traditional companion planting method, the corn must grow tall enough to support the beans. This is a traditional Indigenous agricultural practice.
Three Sisters Garden planting kits will be distributed while supplies last. Community members of all ages are invited to attend the planting events.
More information on the planting schedule and registration can be found through the Gun Lake Tribe website.
Bronson Park is located in the Kalamazoo area and is a public space where residents can participate in this culturally significant project.