Elders Lodge Garden 2005 asehmaa (tobacco), corn, beans, squash, radishes, tomatoes, peppers

Goal: revive traditional use and teachings of asehmaa

Asehmaa is the messenger

that carries our words, thoughts, and prayers to the creator.

Our prayers are powerful. Each day we offer asehmaa

to the Gitchie Manitou, the Mishomisanawn, and the Nokomisanawn.

Our medicine plants become stronger, our water cleaner and

we continue to thrive as Anishinabe,

the indigenous people of this land.

Our process for creating the garden: 1. Brainstormed potential locations – Elders Lodge 2. Elders Lodge management approved 3. Elder residents consulted 4. Garden space tilled 5. Rows and mounds created 6. Compost collected and spread on garden 7. Planting done by all volunteers with Elders present 8. Weeding 9. Fence installed 10. Weeding 11. Harvesting **continued watering and love by Elder residents

original Mohawk seeds are now at:

Early morning of planting

Earl and Ray ready to plant

Garden just before planting

Additional garden for individual residents

Sharon explaining how its done

This is how……

Grandmas begin planting….

Becky working hard

Everyone pitches in

Teamwork!

Be ready to get your hands dirty!

Vegetables are planted

Asehmaa being carefully planted

It is very precious

Sharon & Doreen sing the asehmaa song

Last row for planting

Tip: use hay to keep the weeds out

Look how beautiful

If the rabbits are feasting do this

Tomato plants

The three sisters mounds

Asehmaa

Precious and so beautiful!

Do you know what this is?

Yummy!

The end For more information contact: Sharon Day at ex 11